Ohio author brings Johnson's Island Civil War Prison Camp, and a treasure hunt for antique firearms, into a modern family's life

Secret on Johnson's Island, Book One of Adventures on the North Coast, is a 220 page historical fiction for youth. Avery Perkins is a modern day ten year-old, whose family has recently moved from Columbus to Bayview, a little town that sits in the mouth of the Sandusky Bay which flows into Lake Erie on Ohio's North Coast.

This adventure begins when they anchor their boat in the sandbar off Johnson's Island. As Avery walks through the water, his foot bumps something large buried in the sandbar. His parent help him dig it out and it turns out to be an old Jenny Lynn trunk, which contains revolvers determined by The Ottawa Historical Society to be from the Civil War.

Through some research, the Perkins' family ties the trunk to Johnson's Island, that had been used as a Confederate Prisoner of War Camp during the Civil War. Avery had found out that in Nov. 1863 that there had been an attempt by the prisoners to dig a tunnel and escape. The guards had discovered a tunnel which had rifles in it. Avery suspects that someone had tried to smuggle the revolvers onto the island to help the Confederate soldiers escape, and became determined to find the old tunnel, and the antique rifles, before anyone else decided to go treasure hunting on Johnson's Island.

Author Joyce Bostwick reports, "Secret on Johnson's Island, Book One of Adventures on the North Coast - is like a good, family movie...as an average boy sees what looks ordinary around him, but searches to find out more, then finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"

The book is enhanced by colorful watercolor illustrations by the author. The scenes illustrate the main events that happen to Avery in Book One.

In addition, Dr. David Bush of Heidelberg University, Tiffin ,OH donated ten colored photographs taken of archaeological digs that have been conducted on Johnson's Island.

More than 10,000 Confederate soldiers passed through Johnson's Island Civil War Military Prison between April 1862 and September 1865 and left behind valuable artifacts.

The Friends and Descendants of Johnson's Island Civil War Prison (FDJI) are dedicated to the preservation of the Johnson's Island Prisoner of War Depot. Their mission is to preserve and maintain this National Historic Landmark for present and future research, educational, and interpretative uses.

A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to the Friends and Descendants of Johnson's Island for their care of this important historical site.

There is a limited edition of this book. Go online to www.justrewardsenterprises.com The book sells for $19.95 which includes tax and FREE shipping. You may call 419-423-1234 or email [email protected]

"Ohio history books were all around me growing up in Adrian, OH with my stepfather, Robert G. Hayman who was an Antiquarian Bookman. My parents always had their nose in a book and we would go on jaunts to find old tombstones of important people. All three of us graduated from Carey High School," Bostwick said.

The author is a mother of two adult children and grandmother of four. She enjoys shooting and raising horses.