Joseph Alexander Altsheler (April 29, 1862 – June 5, 1919) was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. His seven series comprise a total of thirty-two novels, each containing an independent story.

   The Young Trailers is the first book of a series of eight different novels.  Young Trailers, is the story of Henry Ware, a young boy living in the wilds of the Kentucky frontier of the 1700’s. The story follows Henry as he helps to establish a frontier outpost, is captured by an Indian tribe, and ultimately ensures the safety and security of a band of settlers against the warring Shawnee Indians. The Young Trailers is action packed and brings to life the adventures that awaited the early settlers as they traversed into the endless forests of the American frontier. (Summary by Adam E. Maroney)

A tale of a boy’s life in the days of the early settlement of Kentucky, of hunting and fishing in the wilderness, of capture by the Indians and final release. More than ordinarily well told and faithful in spirit and description to the conditions and times.