A motley crew of orphans hides inventor Ben Franklin from the British Redcoats during the American War of Independence. After his "wonderful airship"; crashes near St. Francis of Assisi's Home for Foundlings in Quebec City, Franklin is thrown slightly off course in his plan to coax Canada into joining the Americans in their fight against England's rule. Sixteen-year-old Michael Flynn is deaf and was abandoned by his parents who were convinced that demons "seized his tongue and prevented him from speaking."; He leads his best friends, White Rat and Briony, through the dangerous spy portals of underground Montreal carrying secret messages to ensure Franklin eludes the gallows. When Michael's sign language inspires the great scientist to create a top-secret spy code, Michael and his friends are flung headlong into an adventure they'll never forget.

5.25 X 8.25 Trade paperback 120 pp ISBN 0-88878-438-4 $9.95 CDN $6.95 US