Outlaws of Ravenhurst

Read this years ago when my son received it as a gift. I enjoy kicking back occasionally with books written for middle school-aged children. They are an easy, relaxing read. Once this one had me in it's grip, I remember staying up until 3 in the morning to finish it. I couldn't sleep before I knew how it turned out! I saw it offered for sale, again, and wanted a couple more copies to pass around the family. It's a treasure of a book I wanted to ensure all of my children and grandchildren got to enjoy and be inspired by.It is an adventure story about bravery, heroes, traitors, the courage it takes to stand on your principles and the rewards for doing so, the protection God gives to such upright souls, etc. Be forewarned that, being written by a Roman Catholic nun so many years ago, it has a completely Catholic perspective. It focuses on the times in Scotland when it was a crime punishable by death to practice the Catholic Faith.The modern world sweeps this fact under the rug and paints the Catholic Church as the aggressor and 'bad guy.' True, some unrepentant heretics were put to death by the Church to safeguard her Faithful. But, few speak of the Protestant atrocities and the many, MANY Catholic martyrs made in Great Britain in the name of stamping out that Faith from the entire realm. This piece of fiction centers on those times and the struggles a noble and powerful family, and especially a young lad, faced with persecution for their Faith.Written, not for those with weak characters, but for those who hold strong principles and would die for them.

This book is now my #1 favorite read aloud. I read it recently to my children (ages 9, 5, and 3). My 9 and 5 year old boys LOVED the story and begged for more each day. It bolstered my own faith and introduced my children to the hazards of a strong faith that we are just beginning to experience in our modern culture.I could barely hold it together to read the last part of the book. It was so touching!The storyline is wonderful! The writing is wonderful! The incorporation of the Catholic faith is wonderful! This is a MUST READ for Catholic families and a title you must have on your bookshelf!

I have a very special history with this book. As a child and a young person I was not a good reader. In seventh grade the nun took out 40 books from the library and we had to pick one to write a book report on for class. Well, the last book was "The Outlaws of Ravenhurst ", and I was the LAST hand to go up ....so I got the book!!I was dreading plowing through this assignmemt. MY mother was a teacher so she said she would "help" me . Long story short, she read the book that night and told me the next day that it was wonderful, just perfect for me ,full of history, which I DID love, and excitment!! I started the book, not really believing her, and I couldn't get over how much I enjoyed the story, just like my Mother said!! I couldn't believe a nun, Sr. Imelda Wallace, could write such an exciting book!! ha,ha. I really had fun writting the report, I told the nun it was the Best book I had ever read.!! I think she knew my list was very short buyt I got an A+ on the report. More important, that was the beginning of my love of reading. My struggle with reading continued, but I found books on a lower reading level at first and worked my way up in only a year or two. Reading is a powerful tool for everyone especially young children. I will always remember Sister Dennis and the famous "BookReport". It truly changes my life. I went on to become a teacher also ,and work very hard with all my children to instill the love of reading in them. Every day I read a part of a story to them right before they went home. I always picked funny and exciting books. I knew so well the struggle I had as a child and told the students that we would work together to improve their reading and nothing was impossible if you want to learn something and do well in school. I now have MY own copy of "The Outlaws of Ravenhurst". My first read was back in 1957, so it is never to late to find your treasures in life. I now read 5 to 7 book a week!! M.Mc.{retired}The "Irish" have a hard time telling a short story!!!

The scenes of this adventure are the Atlantic Ocean, a farm along the eastern sea coast of America, and a castle in the former Catholic country Scotland. This is one of the most exciting adventures about persecution and the keeping the faith. In my opinion, it is meant for 3rd graders and up and I am one of the "up" who still enjoys reading this book every 6 years or so. Due to the mysterious action taking place in the first chapter, it make take awhile before it dawns a person what they are witnessing.

There is nothing like historical fiction to engage the imagination of a child. This story offers so much in terms of the challenge to courage, strength of the human will and determination of character through one's choices. Excellent read for every middle school student.

I heard this with an Audio Book first and thought the story was so interesting and compelling and important for young people to grow up with that I purchased this on Amazon for my grandson to read. Whether you're part of a persecuted minority or not, whether you've ever been unjustly treated or not, this is just a fun, swashbuckling story of courage and persistence that presents a young hero that can inspire all of us!

Great story perfect for all ages! hope someone makes a movie.

Oh love this book. It can be HEARD FOR FREE on Librivox.org's website though if you can't afford to buy another book for your collection. Download it in various formats.https://librivox.org/outlaws-of-ravenhurst-by-sister-m-imelda-wallace/