It's 1791. The year a new province is created in the country that will one day be called Canada. The year Hope Cobman's life turns around. At thirteen, she must leave the orphanage where she has lived since her mother's death one year ago. Alone in the world, she dreams of finding her father and three brothers - all complete strangers to her, for even before her birth the American Revolution had scattered her family. Forced into becoming an indentured servant, she is little more than a slave to a lonely man and his bitter, crippled mother. Finally set free, she sets off on her own. But instead of finding a father and a brother who will take care of her, she learns that it is up to her to help them recover from the wounds of war. Along the way, she discovers her own strength. For Hope, and for all the Loyalists of Upper Canada, a brighter future lies ahead.
Jean Rae Baxter writes both for an adult general audience and for young adults. Hope's Journey is the fifth volume in the "Forging a Nation" series about the United Empire Loyalist experience. The Way Lies North (2007) won the Arts Hamilton Award for a young adult book and was nominated for the Red Maple and Stellar awards. Broken Trail (2011) won the Gold Medal in the Moonbeam Awards, as did Freedom Bound (2012). The White Oneida (2014) received stellar reviews. Jean Rae Baxter sat on Lit Live Reading Series organizing committee for ten years and served on the Arts Hamilton's Literary Advisory Committee for six years. Jean lives in Hamilton, Ontario.