At a time when leprosy threatens the world, one boy searches for his missing parents in this heartwarming, triumphant tale. “A gripping adventure” Elara, Vine Voice This heavily-researched, fictional book retells the 1946 leprosy pandemic in Hawaii, where lepers were quarantined on a remote pacific island. Told through the eyes of one brave boy. When 13-year-old George’s best friend is arrested as a leper, George is devastated and afraid. Is it possible George has caught the awful plague, too? His best friend is sent to the mysterious, remote island colony called Kalaupapa. No one ever comes back. Soon, George realizes the authorities are searching for him, too. He’s on the run, and his only hope is to find his missing birth parents, parents he hasn’t seen since he was a baby. He’s penniless, alone, and there’s no one he can trust. Will it mean escaping to Molokai, a place feared by all? Does he have what it takes to survive? Based on historical written accounts and hours of research, this little-known piece of world history is exceptionally riveting, fast paced, and pulls at the heartstrings. The leprosy disease, now known as Hansen’s Disease, devastated the world until a cure was discovered in 1946. Includes an informative fact section at the back with a historical timeline and more information about the disease. Sure to appeal to fans of books like An American Plague from Newbery Honor winner Jim Murphy, Fever 1793 by New York Times bestseller Laurie Halse Anderson, and Fever Year: The Killer Flu of 1918 by Don Brown. A strikingly relevant must-read in today's current situation. An inspiration book of tenacious survival and the strength of the human spirit. ESCAPE TO MOLOKAI is about a time in recent history that shattered the lives of those forced to experience the devastating effects of Hansen's Disease, more commonly known as leprosy. In Hawaii, more than 7,000 people died at Kalaupapa before a cure was discovered in 1946. George is on the run. It's a forgotten time in American history . . . 1946. Hawaii. World War II is over. On Maui, what had started off as a great day for thirteen-year-old George Kahula has become a nightmare. The authorities suspect he has Hanson's Disease, what scientists call leprosy. George has heard horrible things about the disease. That it can make your fingers and nose fall off. Even worse, he knows he'll be arrested and sent to Kalaupapa. To be imprisoned in a remote village and never to be heard from again. But he doesn't feel sick and is terrified of being locked in a leper colony where he sure to die. He's on the run. His parents and grandparent are missing. Can he get away without drawing the attention of the authorities? He's penniless, alone and there's no one he can trust. No one he can run can to for help. Used Book in Good Condition