The Games We Kept

The Games We Kept A Children of the Midnight Seraph Story When the evening fire glows beneath the pines of Camp L'Esperance, Alizée Ségur gathers the Sneaks for a lesson hidden inside the games children love to play. Through rolling hoops, seed-counting games, treasure hunts, hide-and-seek, and stories shared beneath the Gulf Coast stars, young readers discover how games once carried important lessons. In Maroon communities, games helped children learn observation, teamwork, kindness, courage, memory, responsibility, and care for one another. They preserved knowledge, strengthened communities, and gave children a place to grow, laugh, and belong. Set on the Mississippi Gulf Coast near New Orleans around 1800, The Games We Kept combines poetry, history, adventure, and heart in a beautifully illustrated story that celebrates childhood, friendship, and freedom. Perfect for families, classrooms, homeschool studies, and young readers who enjoy history, culture, and inspiring stories, this tenth book in the Children of the Midnight Seraph series reminds us that sometimes the most important lessons are hidden inside the games we play. In this story, children will discover: - Traditional games from African, Native, and Gulf Coast cultures- How play helped teach cooperation and problem-solving- The history of Maroon communities and Camp L'Esperance- Lessons about kindness, courage, responsibility, and belonging- Why preserving stories and traditions mattersA warm and memorable tale about games, freedom, community, and the enduring wonder of childhood.