The Children of Horseshoe Hideout

Orphans Hannah, 11, Wes, 9, and Jamie, 5, have lived with their cruel Aunt Olga for two years. They are probably the only children in Flinthills, Iowa who dread the weekends, for it is only when they are in school that they can be around friends, eat a hot meal, and play outdoors. Otherwise, it is hours of chores, neglect and unfair punishments. Even so, they have tolerated it...until now.

Always protective of her younger brothers, Hannah has done her best to keep them out of harm's way, so when Olga suddenly turns on Jamie, Hannah can't bear it. She knows she must get them out!

Hannah doesn't dare ask for help. Olga has always warned them that if they complained to anyone about her, they would end up in three separate foster homes. Above all else, they must stay together, so they must escape on their own. One evening while Olga is out of the house, they pack up their meager belongings and more food than they were ever allowed under Olga's watchful eye. They head for the river to make a new home.

An abandoned warehouse, the Mississippi River, the library and a neighbor's not-so-secret garden become their refuge as they slowly eat their way through all the food. While they hide from Olga and anyone else they fear may recognize them, they struggle to survive. Hannah finds a way to use her drawings to help provide for them until one misplaced drawing threatens to send them back to their horrid aunt...or worse!