In a war in which more than a quarter million boys age seventeen and under fought in the opposing armies, Journey into Darkness, a researched blend of fact and fiction, is about a young boy in the Civil War. Written specially for students, enjoyed by adults as well, it takes the student reader into the events of the war through the experience of a peer. Originally published in four books at the request of a young reader on behalf of others who don't like thick books. "This would be an excellent resource for middle school American history classes, giving a boy's-eye view of the Civil War and reminding students that kids their own age were caught up in active duty during the war."
Author Biography:
J. Arthur Moore is an educator with 42 years experience in public, private, and independent settings. He is also an amateur photographer and has illustrated his works with his own photographs. In addition to Twelfth Winter Mr. Moore has written Journey into Darkness, a story in four parts, Blake's Story, Revenge and Forgiveness, two Civil War historic fictions, and Summer of Two Worlds, a Native American historic fiction set in Montana Territory in the summer of 1882. Twelfth Winter is the sequel to Summer of Two Worlds and tells the story of Prairie Cub after he is forced to return to the world of his white heritage, the world of his former name, Michael. It is the emotional journey that followed.He recently published a third Civil War era historic fiction, West to Freedom. His previously last work, Summer at Stewart Creek, is pure fiction, set in the fictitious territory of his Virginia and Truckee Railroad of West Virginia, which he has recreated in miniature and used to illustrate this story. It is the same world in which Michael finds himself.Moore's next project is another work started forty years ago during the same time that Summer of Two Worlds was written and Twelfth Winter was started. It is the prequel to Summer of Two Worlds, titled Stranded in Snow Shoe. This book is the story of Prairie Cub's friend, Scot Robinson, whose experience led to the story of Twelfth Winter.A graduate of Jenkintown High School, just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Moore attended West Chester State College, currently West Chester University. Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, where he met his wife to be, a widow with four children. Once discharged from the service, he moved to Coatesville, Pennsylvania, began his teaching career, married and brought his new family to live in a 300-year-old farm house in which the children grew up and married, went their own ways, raised their families to become grandparents themselves.Retiring after a 42-year career, Mr. Moore has moved to the farming country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he plans to enjoy the generations of family, time with his model railroad, and time to guide his writings into a new life through publication. It also allows for the opportunity to participate in a local model railroad club as well as time for traveling to Civil War events, and presenting at various organizations and events about the boys who were part of that war. He also shares the process of writing, and readings from his work, and does book signings at a variety of locations.Mr. Moore can be reached through the contact page of the website for his books at www.jarthurmoore.com with links to his Facebook and Twitter pages; and a blog page focusing on the stories of the boys who served in the Civil War.
