Ken Munro, author of the Sammy and Brian Mysteries:
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The canal-boat adventure with Jonathan will afford the reader many surprises. The shipment of mysterious barrels provides a history lesson and a religious experience for all.
David L. Kipp, Canal Society of New York State:
Towpath Adventures is well crafted juvenile historical fiction set in central New York state in the early days of the grand old Erie Canal. The detail of canal life is vivid, accurate and authentic. Jonathan is visited by Deacon Eaton, an actual missionary who has seen the need to reach the thousands of boys, many of them orphans, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sue B. of Pennsylvania wrote:
What a wonderful story of one boys adventures on the Erie Canal. I thoroughly enjoyed this easy to read story of Jonathan Hamilton and his struggles and triumphs as a young boy trying to come to grips with losing his mother and then having to except his step mother and the upcoming event of a new sibling. The adventure continues when his father sends him away to spent his summer vacation with his uncle on the canal boat. Thank you Jack and Judy for taking the time to write such a wonderful story.
Helen S., of Pennsylvania, wrote:
I recommend Towpath Adventures – it’s full of history and adventure, and it’s clean and decent reading. Libraries could use it for story time, and it made a great gift for our grandchildren.
Nancy C., of Syracuse NY, said:
Towpath Adventures is a great book; I couldn’t wait to see what excitement lay around the next bend in the canal for Jonathan and Charles! A book you don’t want to put down – as you wait with anticipation for the next book.
We entered the Writer’s Digest 15th annual International Self-Published Book Awards contest this year, and although we didn’t win first place, and a multi-million dollar movie deal, we were encouraged by what the judge said about Towpath Adventures. The judge’s comments follow.
We don’t hear much about this aspect of the underground railroad, and there are even fewer stories involving the Erie Canal. The setting and context make this book a worthwile read. It would be a good book to read in school because of all the issues it brings up without being preachy about them.
