The Sugar Creek Gang

The arrival of Dr. Adriana Adair—Sugar Creek’s first female physician—sparks immediate controversy and prejudice, led by the town’s wealthiest man, Leonard Young. While the gang initially shares the town’s skepticism, Dr. Adair wins them over through her heroic medical rescue of Dragonfly and her selfless ministry to the “swamp people” of the territory. The story shifts from medical drama to a survival thriller when a massive forest fire threatens the Youngs’ mansion. Through the gang’s active help in fighting the blaze and providing emergency care, the medical practice becomes a sanctuary. The crisis finally shatters the reclusive wall of grief surrounding the Young family, leading to a powerful spiritual reconciliation and the community’s full acceptance of their “very special doctor.”

The Sugar Creek Gang’s traditional “no girls” policy is challenged when they meet Joyce Spell, a capable and spirited girl who has recently moved to the area. While the boys struggle with their exclusionary pledge, they learn that Joyce is desperately seeking hope for her father, Andrew Spell, who is facing a serious illness. Desperate to help him, Joyce turns to “Indian magic” and the legend of Indian Mary. The situation turns critical when Joyce gets lost at night, falling into a deep excavation site and breaking both her legs. Through the expertise of Dr. Rogue, who shares a common Indian heritage with Joyce, and the gang’s eventually humbled hearts, the Spell family discovers that the “Great White Father” of the Bible offers the true healing they need. The adventure ends with the Spell family’s conversion and Joyce becoming an honorary member of the gang.

The Sugar Creek Gang faces a challenge of the heart when a new family, the Blakes, moves to town from Alabama. While the boys welcome them, Dragonfly finds himself caught in a moral dilemma after his visiting grandfather, Walter Gilbert, influences him with deep-seated racial prejudices. The conflict leads to a painful rift between Dragonfly’s parents and grandparents, causing the elders to leave Sugar Creek in anger. However, a providential car breakdown in the Kentucky woods forces Walter and his wife, Julia, to accept the hospitality of Webster James and his blind grandmother, Lorraine. Through a discovery involving a set of rare coins known as the “Pearshell Legend” and a heartbreaking revelation about the origin of Lorraine’s blindness, Walter experiences a profound spiritual transformation. The adventure concludes with a heartfelt apology and a celebration of the truth that all are equal in the eyes of Christ.

The Sugar Creek Gang’s winter vacation to Squaw Lake takes a dangerous turn when they find themselves in the middle of an FBI manhunt. The story begins with an internal gang conflict as Little Jim struggles with the news that their buddy Barry Boylan has a girlfriend, fearing that “girls” will ruin their friendship. After a heart-to-heart talk between Barry and Little Jim restores the gang’s unity, they travel to the North Woods to stay with the Everharts at Snow Goose Lodge. However, they discover the lodge is snowed in and serves as the hideout for Dale Harper, a desperate bank robber and killer. While Barry and the Everharts are held hostage at gunpoint, the gang assists the FBI in a high-stakes search through the deep snow. The adventure culminates in a dramatic capture and a rescue that proves the gang’s courage and faith can withstand even the coldest winter storms.

The Sugar Creek Gang faces a subtle spiritual battle when Poetry receives a gift from a pen pal in Guatemala: six tiny “trouble dolls” meant to solve one’s problems. When Poetry actually uses a doll to vent his anger toward their neighbor, Shorty Long, a freak accident occurs—Shorty is injured and his dog is killed in a collision with Mr. Paddler’s car. Overcome with guilt and fearing he has dabbled in “witchcraft,” Poetry runs away to a distant truck stop where he meets a factory worker named Ken. Through a heartfelt search, a letter of apology from Bill, and a tense reunion at a diner, the gang helps Poetry realize that God is the only one who can truly carry our burdens. The adventure results in the gang’s reconciliation and a new life in Christ for Ken.

The Sugar Creek Gang leaves the rural woods of Indiana for the concrete jungle of New York City after Mr. Paddlersponsors a trip to support the evangelistic crusade of Reverend Jonathan McTell. The vacation takes a serious turn when Circus and Bill discover an unconscious “bag lady” in a hotel alley. The woman, Mrs. Eleanor Tennison, is a homeless soul carrying the weight of a tragic past involving a blizzard and the death of her grandchildren. Through the gang’s persistent prayers, Little Jim’s innocent witnessing to a cynical hotel manager, and a powerful radio broadcast, Mrs. Tennison finds the strength to seek forgiveness from her daughter and accept the “little miracles” of God’s grace.

The peaceful summer in Sugar Creek is shattered when a thief steals the Collins’ family car right from their driveway. The mystery deepens as Old Man Paddler is robbed and a string of burglaries hits the town, including a strange break-in at the hardware store where only money and engine coolant are taken. Amidst the chaos, Bill battles a personal temptation to “borrow” gang funds for the upcoming carnival since he is the only one without a summer job. Through Poetry’s clever detective work at the carnival, the gang discovers the culprit is a crooked Ferris wheel operator. The adventure culminates in a high-stakes chase through the woods that leads the boys back to their stolen car and teaches Bill that God provides for our needs in His own perfect timing.

The Sugar Creek Gang enjoys an unexpected winter vacation in the Rio Grande Valley after a coal strike closes their school. While sightseeing in Mexico, they encounter a young boy named Mikhel who is desperately trying to cross the border to find his missing father, Esperanza. The mystery takes a turn when Mikhel uses a church tent meeting as a cover to slip past guards, only to disappear into the vast citrus groves. Amidst the high-stakes search, Dragonfly’s mother experiences a powerful spiritual transformation. The adventure reaches a tense climax on the riverbank when the gang discovers Esperanza is being held captive, leading to a heroic rescue and a miraculous family reunion that bridges the border through faith.

The Sugar Creek Gang embarks on a business venture called the “Frog Legs Company” to raise money for their clubhouse, only to have their rowboat stolen and moved to the Twin River. Their pursuit of the thieves leads to a dangerous encounter with a pair of motorcyclists who knock Big Jim unconscious and run Mr. Till’s car off the road. Amidst the chaos, the gang receives tragic news of the death of Kenneth Paddler, prompting a somber reflection on their previous adventure in Palm Tree Island. The mystery culminates in a high-stakes river chase where the boys discover a brown box containing smuggled heroin. In a departure from their usual heroics, the gang is forced to confront their own recklessness, learning a vital spiritual lesson about impulsive decisions and the importance of cooperating with the law.

The Sugar Creek Gang faces an internal crisis when a mysterious new boy, Gary Garnett, arrives to stay with the Fergusons (missionaries on furlough). Gary’s rough attitude and his killing of a mother groundhog cause a bitter split in the gang, with Little Jim and Poetry refusing to welcome him. The tension shifts to a life-or-death struggle when Gary and a sickly Dr. Ferguson are caught on the river during a violent storm. After their boat is beached and Dr. Ferguson suffers a heart attack, the gang must lead a daring rescue. The experience humbles Gary, leading to a deep spiritual discussion about faith and his eventual adoption into the Ferguson family.

The Sugar Creek Gang is thrust into a mystery that tests their understanding of life, death, and the supernatural when Wally Hancock (Poetry’s cousin) loses his dog, Alexander the Coppersmith, in a heroic battle against a wildcat. Grief-stricken, Wally becomes convinced he sees a “ghost dog” roaming near the old abandoned mansion, a theory unexpectedly supported by his mother, Helen, who is struggling with her own spiritual doubts. The mystery takes a dangerous turn when Wally and Poetry run away to the mansion at night to prove the ghost’s existence. The Gang discovers that the “ghost” is actually a very real, abandoned dog that has been keeping watch over a sick man hiding in the mansion—who turns out to be Wally’s own father, Uncle Tim. The adventure ends with a miraculous family reunion and a clear lesson that God’s providential timing is far more powerful than any “hocus pocus.”

The Sugar Creek Gang is horrified to find Old Man Paddler’s cabin ransacked and his mailbox destroyed, only to learn that similar acts of vandalism have struck the town square. The mystery deepens when Poetry finds a knife belonging to Bob Till at the scene, leading the boys into a moral dilemma about “withholding evidence” from the sheriff. Amidst the investigation, a dangerous “bee battle” breaks out in the local bee yard, coinciding with a high-stakes car theft where baby Charlotte Ann is accidentally kidnapped by the vandals. Through the heroic actions of Circus and a surprising spiritual turning point for Bob Till, the gang helps bring the criminals to justice and experiences the power of Christ-centered loyalty.

The Sugar Creek Gang’s celebration for Bill’s mother’s birthday is interrupted when they find a mysterious, broken red shoe in the swamp. The discovery coincides with the arrival of a helicopter and Roger Curran, a wealthy but distraught man searching for his runaway daughter, Cynthia. While the gang helps with the search, they discover that Cynthia is despondent over her mother’s death and her father’s emotional distance. The adventure reaches a life-or-death climax at a narrow mountain gulch, where Circus uses his athletic skill and a powerful Gospel message to save Cynthia from a dangerous ledge. The story concludes with a dual spiritual birth, as both Cynthia and her father find new life and hope in Christ.

The Sugar Creek Gang is put on high alert when a predatory Wildcat (or mountain lion) begins terrorizing the local farms, killing prized lambs and even Big Jim’s newborn colt. While the boys struggle with the tension of the hunt, Billfaces a personal crisis after a harsh outburst at Little Jim, leading him to learn a deep lesson about Christian forgiveness and the weight of responsibility. The adventure reaches a heart-pounding conclusion when the gang tracks the wounded cat to a cave and uses smoke to flush it out. The story ends with a powerful parallel of life and death, as the loss of the livestock is balanced by the arrival of new life on the Groenwall farm.

The Sugar Creek Gang travels deep into the interior of Guerrero, Mexico, to assist missionaries Dr. Joe and Marie Century at their medical clinic and help with street meetings. The trip quickly turns dangerous when a band of Banditos (outlaws) raids the village, injuring several people and causing a young man named Pedro to abandon his sister, Juanita, to join the outlaws. While the boys help with a medical therapy program for a boy named Panchito, they witness the spiritual power of forgiveness as Juanita and the Gang pray for Pedro. The adventure reaches a tense climax when the outlaws return to kidnap Juanita, leading to a confrontation that results in a miraculous change of heart for the outlaws and a new mission field for the Gang.

The Sugar Creek Gang’s summer takes a somber turn when they find their unique, umbrella-shaped tree house occupied by Mr. Benjamin Robinson, a missionary friend of Mr. Paddler. The discovery reveals a dark side of the community as the boys’ friend Dragonfly falls under the influence of the local delinquent Shorty Long, leading to acts of racial prejudice and a threatening “cross-burning” at the tree house. The conflict hits home when a rock and a threatening note are thrown through the Collins’ window. The story reaches a powerful climax as Bill’s family and Mr. Robinson stand firm in their faith, eventually leading to a spiritual breakthrough that brings Dragonfly back to the gang and sets his parents on a path toward Christ.

The Sugar Creek Gang’s summer takes a turn for the mysterious when Bill’s prize-winning watermelon is stolen and his backyard tent is ransacked. The investigation leads the boys into the deep Sugar Creek swamp, where they discover that a local Girl Scout, Debbie Coronet, has been kidnapped for a $100,000 ransom. The kidnapper, Lane Davis, is a desperate “swamp rat” whose brother had previously been caught for a similar crime. The adventure reaches a somber conclusion when Lane is found dead from a snakebite, and the gang must rely on their knowledge of the swamp and the power of prayer to bring Debbie home safely. The experience leads to a profound spiritual transformation for Debbie and her mother, proving that God can bring peace out of even the most “morbid” situations.

When Dragonfly’s family vacation is canceled due to a family emergency, the “lost” time turns into a rescue mission for two runaway girls, Maggie and Debbie. The gang uncovers a deep family secret involving Maggie’s adoption and a theft by Shorty Long, culminating in a harrowing search during a violent thunderstorm that leads to a wealthy family’s reconciliation and a surprise trip for the boys.

The Sugar Creek Gang faces a heavy mystery when Mr. Walters (Circus’s father) begins losing his muskrat catch to a mysterious “trapline thief.” Suspicion immediately falls on Tom Till, who is seen carrying game despite never having hunted before. Bill struggles with his judgmental spirit, leading to a major rift in the gang when he falsely accuses Tom of being the thief. The situation turns grim when Little Jim’s pet rabbits are found deliberately drowned in a well. Through the intervention of Bill’s father and Circus, the gang discovers the true culprit is Tom’s older brother, Bob Till, and his accomplice, Hank. The adventure concludes with a high-speed capture after Bob steals a pickup truck, ultimately teaching Bill a lasting lesson about the dangers of jumping to conclusions and the power of forgiveness.

The Sugar Creek Gang finds themselves entangled in a mystery involving a mysterious green tent pitched illegally on the Collins’ property and a woman seen digging in an abandoned cemetery. While Bill struggles with his temper toward their antagonistic new neighbor, Shorty Long, the gang discovers that the “grave robbers” are actually a grieving couple, the Everharts, who are struggling to cope with the loss of their infant daughter. The story reaches a dramatic climax during a violent thunderstorm when Bill’s baby sister, Charlotte Ann, goes missing, leading to a harrowing search that ends with a miraculous discovery and a spiritual breakthrough for everyone involved.

The story introduces the Freeman family, who have moved to Sugar Creek so the father, a famous painter, can capture the local scenery. Their son, Preston, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, which leads his protective mother to initially isolate him from the gang. Through a series of events—including a dramatic moment where Preston’s desire to save a harmless snake causes him to take his first steps—the boys form a deep bond with him. The adventure peaks during a sudden, violent blizzard when Circus and Preston become stranded in the woods after Circus’s foot is caught in a heavy animal trap. Through prayer and a miraculous display of strength, the two are rescued, leading to a spiritual breakthrough for the Freeman family as they witness the gang’s unwavering faith in action.

The adventure begins when Big Jim gets his driver’s license and a “new” used car, but the celebration is short-lived as the gang is thrust into a high-stakes kidnapping case. Cindy Winthrop, the daughter of a wealthy landowner, is snatched by criminals demanding a $10,000 ransom. The mystery deepens when the kidnappers also take Cindy’s mother, Louise, who accidentally leaked information about valuable land. The gang works alongside John Till (Tom’s father), who risks his life to cooperate with the law despite the kidnappers’ attempts to recruit him. Through a combination of “detective work” and a “direct pipeline to God” through prayer, the boys help the FBI and the sheriff rescue the hostages, leading to a powerful spiritual transformation for the Winthrop family.

The Sugar Creek Gang’s attempt to create a “time capsule” treasure for future generations turns into a dangerous encounter with the law. After burying a tin box filled with personal mementos and Christian testimonies, the boys are shocked to find it stolen. Their search for the culprit leads them into a fierce rainstorm and a stay in the “haunted” old mansion, where they unknowingly cross paths with an escaped prisoner, George Roberts, and his wounded accomplice, Kurt Henney. The adventure culminates in a tense standoff in the mansion’s attic and a heroic capture that earns the gang a thousand-dollar reward, which they decide to use to spread the “greatest treasure of all”—the Gospel.

Set in the heart of winter, the story centers on the departure of the gang’s beloved teacher, Ms. Bacon, and the arrival of her replacement, Mr. Francis Black. Mr. Black is a strict, city-bred man who initially clashes with the boys over his rigid rules and lack of understanding for the demands of farm life. The tension escalates into a crisis when the schoolhouse burns to the ground and Mr. Black, having found a disparaging poem written by Poetry, suspects the gang of arson. As the mystery of the fire remains unsolved, the story shifts from a “fast adventure” into a profound “inner growing experience”. Through acts of unexpected kindness from Mr. Black and a life-threatening accident that leaves him in a coma, the boys—especially Poetry—learn lessons about forgiveness, judging others, and the power of prayer.

The Sugar Creek Gang faces a malicious plot when an unsigned letter, falsely accusing them of being “roughnecks,” is left in Bill’s mailbox to frame their new neighbor, Shorty Long. While carrying the letter to a sleepover, Bill is ambushed by a masked attacker who steals the evidence and his suitcase. The mystery takes a dangerous turn when Little Jim, feeling a spiritual duty to help his friend, goes missing in the snow at night and falls into a deep hunting hole. The adventure reaches a somber climax as the gang discovers the true culprit is Tom Till’s brother, Bob, whose poaching and deceit lead to a violent domestic confrontation that ultimately prompts the boys to pray for the Till family’s salvation.

The Sugar Creek Gang travels to Palm Tree Island (near Florida) for a mission-focused vacation, but the trip quickly turns into a high-stakes search for Mr. Paddler’s long-lost twin brother, Kenneth, who vanished forty years earlier. After spotting an eccentric old man named John Machetti who bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Paddler, the gang suspects he may be suffering from amnesia. The mystery reaches a dramatic conclusion at El Toro Castle when a dangerous accident involving Poetry triggers the old man’s repressed memories, leading to his rescue and a miraculous reunion with his brother.

The Sugar Creek Gang faces a difficult moral challenge when the antagonistic Bob Till returns home after a robbery in Chicago, and their teacher, Ms. Bacon, asks the pupils to sign a statement allowing him back into school. While the gang discovers a hidden cave that Bob claims as his own, Big Jim battles a “roar” of resentment and refuses to forgive Bob for their past violent encounters. The conflict reaches a life-or-death climax when a cave-in traps Bob and his father inside the mine, forcing Big Jim to choose between his hate and his faith as he leads a daring rescue that ultimately transforms both boys.

The Sugar Creek Gang embarks on an ambitious trip to Chicago and Aspen, Colorado, funded by Mr. Paddler after Little Jim and Circus win a youth music contest. The journey is shadowed by the news that Tom Till’s brother, Bob, has robbed a store and fled to the city. In Chicago, the boys witness a tragedy at the Pacific Garden Mission when Bob is hit by a car while fleeing the police, leading Big Jim to heroically save his life through a rare blood transfusion. The adventure continues in Aspen, where the gang solves the mystery of a missing woman named Connie Mae Spruce through a series of clues, including a note in a bottle and a discarded handbag. The story concludes with a powerful spiritual victory, as a gospel note tossed into a stream by Circus months earlier is revealed to be the key to Connie’s salvation.

In this adventure, the Sugar Creek Gang, along with their prideful neighbor Tom Till, embarks on a two-week camping trip to Arizona with Barry Boylan. Barry, who plans to do missionary work on a local Indian reservation, uses the trip to teach the boys practical survival skills and spiritual lessons. The journey is marked by challenges, including Bill and Poetry getting lost in the wilderness and a life-threatening storm on a lake. Throughout the trip, Tom Till struggles with his pride and the idea of “handouts,” eventually learning through a harrowing rescue that receiving help from friends is a grace, not a weakness.

The story transitions from late summer to the dead of winter, beginning with the heartbreaking disappearance of Little Jim’s pet bear, Triangle, who is eventually found sick after a “honey raid” and sent to a zoo for his own safety. As winter sets in, the gang faces a life-or-death crisis when they discover Mr. Paddler trapped in his own cellar beneath a heavy plank after a partial cave-in. Braving freezing temperatures and the threat of further collapses, the boys and Bill’s father work together to keep the elderly man awake and warm before successfully lifting the plank to save him. The adventure concludes with a heartwarming celebration of life, friendship, and God’s protection over the residents of Sugar Creek.

The story follows the Sugar Creek Gang—Big Jim, Circus, Dragonfly, Poetry, Little Jim, and Bill—as they navigate a series of mysteries triggered by a bank robbery north of their home. While Bill (the narrator) struggles with the arrival of a new baby sister, Charlotte Ann, the gang discovers a mysterious half-dug hole and a stranger disguised in a beard and glasses. The mystery deepens when the gang’s leader, Big Jim, is knocked unconscious near the abandoned cabin of the legendary Seth Paddler. The boys eventually discover that the “robber” caught by the sheriff is actually Seth Paddler’s nephew, Barry Boylan, who was framed by the real criminal, Cliff Owens (alias Brad Jennings). Through prayer and persistence, the gang rescues Mr. Paddler from a hidden cellar, leading to his permanent return to Sugar Creek as a spiritual mentor for the boys.

The story follows the Sugar Creek Gang—Big Jim, Circus, Dragonfly, Poetry, Little Jim, and Bill—as they navigate a series of mysteries triggered by a bank robbery north of their home. While Bill (the narrator) struggles with the arrival of a new baby sister, Charlotte Ann, the gang discovers a mysterious half-dug hole and a stranger disguised in a beard and glasses. The mystery deepens when the gang’s leader, Big Jim, is knocked unconscious near the abandoned cabin of the legendary Seth Paddler. The boys eventually discover that the “robber” caught by the sheriff is actually Seth Paddler’s nephew, Barry Boylan, who was framed by the real criminal, Cliff Owens (alias Brad Jennings). Through prayer and persistence, the gang rescues Mr. Paddler from a hidden cellar, leading to his permanent return to Sugar Creek as a spiritual mentor for the boys.