Original Escapes
The SIX books of Period One – Original Escapes were originally written by Anthony G. Bollback between 1997 and 2003 appealing to children between 4 and 7. Todays books are rewritten and updated for students between 10 and 15 (and older). The stories follow the twins, Jack and Jenny, as they seek to honor God every day.
Book One:
Hong Kong Smugglers
brown pouch
Jack and Jenny Carlton, twelve-year-old twins, always manage to find themselves an adventure. When their dad informs his twins that they will be accompanying him on a business trip to Hong Kong, the two minds go into overdrive. It doesn’t take long for the two siblings to stumble onto a diamond caper and the chase is on across Hong Kong; the Star Ferry, Aberdeen, the Peak, and hot spots of Asia’s pearl. As they work to solve the caper the Carltons also come face to face with their faith. They have an unshakable trust in God and His protection in their lives. But can God protect them from Hong Kong’s smugglers? Will they be able to live out their faith in front of their new friends, the Chens?
Book Two:
Dragon Twins
captured
The Carltons return to Hong Kong on another family business trip. Memories of their involvement with smugglers during their previous visit are still vivid in their minds, and Jack and Jenny are anxious for another adventure with their Chinese friends, Jin and Ru Chen. Their tenacity earns them the nickname, Dragon Twins. During their visit, they find multiple opportunities to live out their faith in difficult circumstances. Soon, they find themselves tangled up with a gang of criminals and captured on the Twin Dragon. The twins are amazed and encouraged to see God use their lives to influence others – but it’s never easy.
Book Three:
Counterfeit Money
fake out
Trouble gravitates to the twins like flies to honey. Jack and Jenny Carlton are once again on their way to Hong Kong as they make plans to share Chinese New Year with their friends, Ru and Jin Chen. A side trip to Shenzhen, China finds Jack discovering four thousand dollars in an envelope in a bathroom on a train. The discovery initiates a series of rebukes against assumptions, precarious exposure to unsavory characters in the Wanchai, and lessons from God about value and worth.
Book Four:
Rescue
one more time
In the fourth Jack and Jenny adventure, the Carlton twins are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their friends, Ru and Jin Chen, from Hong Kong. The four friends were in for an exciting time of fun and revelation. They would explore an old mining town, take horseback excursions, and encounter a cantankerous old hermit who lived high on the mountain with a vicious dog. Jack, Jenny, Jin, and Ru would also learn that God often had plans that we might rather avoid. It was what God said that mattered, yet this would be a hard lesson to learn. Bravery, endurance, and trust would all play a huge role in whether they accepted God’s ways or attempted to live life on their own.
Book Five:
Tiger Shark
archeological finds
The Carlton twins are back in Hong Kong visiting their friends, Jin and Ru Chen. Jin shares how many of his friends don’t believe the truth of the Bible. He explains how he shows his friends verses from the Bible, but they just laugh and say he believes in fairytales. Jin’s frustration bubbles over as he doesn’t know how to defend his beliefs. How would you do explaining the Bible to your friends? The four friends find a cave along the beach that leads them to uncover an important archaeological discovery, a major drug-smuggling ring, and puts them all in danger. These two adventures, archeology and the Bible push them to their limits as they seek to be faithful followers of Jesus.
Book Six:
Jacked
dragons and boats
During their latest visit to Hong Kong, the Carlton twins and their good friends Jin and Ru are faced with questions about their faith and how fate and luck come into play. With these questions swirling in their minds, the four friends unknowingly find themselves enmeshed in the adventurous disappearance of the Golden Dragon, which leads to a wild ferry chase between the ports of Hong Kong and Macau. Three evil men planned the theft of the sacred Gold Dragon from a local temple. The plan seems foolproof.