Q: how to convert appleworks database

Review these excellent articles:

1.  Abandoning Appleworks by Roger Wilmut:

http://www.wilmut.webspace.virginmedia.com/notes/aw/page1.html

or

2.  Appleworks for the modern day, a migration tip by a brody:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2522

Do you have access to a Mac running Snow Leopard?

or,

Also you can run Appleworks 6.9.2 in Snow Leopard Server installed into Parallels 8 for use on your Mac running Mt. Lion:

                              [click on image to enlarge]