Mr. Kuroki's Garden
An uplifting picture book about the true story of a man who planted thousands of his wife's favorite flower in their small Japanese town after she suffers the loss of her sight. An epic love story that delights young readers. Mr. and Mrs. Kuroki live in Japan. They dream of traveling to distant countries once their cows are old and their children have grown up. But before this dream can come true, tragedy strikes. Mrs. Kuroki loses her sight, and with it, her joy for life. Determined to ease his wife's sorrow, Mr. Kuroki decides to create an immense garden filled with his wife's favorite flower, the Shibazakura. This breathtaking and unique garden soon gains attention from all over the world. Over time, visitors arrive, eager to witness with their own eyes the place where a man's love has blossomed in an effort to bring back his wife's smile. Inspired by a true story, this poignant album, rich in poetic depth, beautifully illustrates human resilience, love, and beauty. Ohara Hale, drawing from her Japanese heritage and memories of her grandmother, infuses this story with the warmth and delicacy of a timeless Japan, bringing the touching tale of the Kurokis to life.
The Ghost Of The Charlotte Lighthouse
On a cliff overlooking Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, and the port of Rochester, New York, a lonely lighthouse stood watch. Its windows were boarded up and its roof was leaking. Its face was dirty and its light had long since gone out. Its front door was hidden with brush and its stairs were crumbling. But maybe you wouldn't look so good either if you were 127 years old! From inside the lighthouse tower came the sound of scratching, but no one was there to hear it. That is, no human ears were there to hear it because the lighthouse had been abandoned for eighteen years. Across town, life was very different. Susan B. Anthony School #27 was vibrating with energy. For this class, saving the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse would become more than just a school project, it would become the adventure of a lifetime.
Faraway Home
Karl and Rosa's family watch in horror as Hitler's troops parade down the streets of their home city -- Vienna. It has become very dangerous to be a Jew in Austria, and after their uncle is sent to Dachau, Karl and Rosa's parents decide to send the children out of the country on a Kindertransport, one of the many ships carrying refugee children away from Nazi danger.Isolated and homesick, Karl ends up in Millisle, a run-down farm in Ards in Northern Ireland, which has become a Jewish refugee centre, while Rosa is fostered by a local family.Hard work on the farm keeps Karl occupied, although he still waits desperately for any news from home. Then he makes friends with locals Peewee and Wee Billy, and also with the girls from neutral Dublin who come to help on the farm, especially Judy. But Northern Ireland is in the war too, with rationing and air-raid warnings, and, in April 1941 the bombs of the Belfast Blitz bring the reality of war right to their doorstep.And for Karl and Rosa and the other refugees there is the constant fear that they may never see their parents again.Based on a true story -- there was a refugee farm at Millisle and among its occupants was a young boy called Karl.
Under the London Sky
A thrilling YA historical fiction novel from renowned children's author, Anna Woltz A Telegraph best new children's book London, September 1940. Deep in the Underground, taking shelter from the bombs, four teenagers meet. Without the Blitz, they never would have met. Fourteen-year-old Ella walks with a limp. Some days, she feels like a laughing stock. Other days, like no one sees her at all. Quinn is fifteen, fancy and fearless. She's run away from home with a bag of family jewels and big ideas about changing the world. Jack is sixteen and doesn't care about anything anymore - he's already lost it all. And then there's Sebastian, Quinn's older brother. He used to be her hero. Until he became a traitor A coming-of-age historical novel for teens from internationally bestselling children's author, Anna Woltz.
Village of Scoundrels
In Village of Scoundrels, Newbery Honor recipient Margi Preus tells the incredible true story of a group of French teenagers who helped save refugees in WWII. Based on the true story of the French villagers in WWII who saved thousands of Jews, this compelling novel tells how a group of young teenagers stood up for what is right. Among them is a young Jewish boy who learns to forge documents to save his mother and later goes on to save hundreds of lives with his forgery skills. There is also a girl who overcomes her fear to carry messages for the Resistance. And a boy who smuggles people into Switzerland. But there is always the threat that they will be caught: A policeman is sent to keep an eye on them, German soldiers reside in a local hotel, and eventually the Gestapo arrives, armed with guns and a list of names. As the knot tightens, the young people must race against time to bring their friends to safety. "Preus conveys the tales of heroism and resistance of the village teens with a story that is filled with suspense and intrigue . . . Readers will be inspired by these teens that stood for what is right and who, through their actions, saved the lives." --School Library Connection (Starred Review)
Lucky Dog Comes Home
The story of one mailman, a few dogs, and the power to bring joy back to a grieving community--inspired by a celebrated WWII veteran. George lives a peaceful life on his family farm in Indiana until he is recruited for the US army for WWII. While George longed to go back home throughout the war, home is a very different place when he returns. His family farm has been sold and George must find a new job. Though he swore he would never wear a uniform again, George becomes a letter carrier. Then, something unexpected and miraculous happens--friendly neighborhood dogs begin following him on his daily route. As the parade of dogs quickly grows each day, so too does the joy spread in a community still healing from loss. John Spray's stepfather is the inspiration behind the character George, who was a celebrated WWII veteran and post-war letter carrier--loved by both the people and dogs in his small town, Lafayette, Indiana. Scot Ritchie illustrates with powerful depth and humor. .
Can You Keep a Secret?
Set in a rural town in South West France from 1940 to 1944, Can You Keep a Secret? examines the effect of the German occupation on the community, as seen through the eyes of a nine-year-old child. Living with a teenage brother and parents who own a caf矇 in the market square, the child regularly escapes to a secret world in the forests to play with friends. Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the town progressively darkens, and the caf矇 becomes central to the operation of the local black market and the growing resistance movement. The child's curiosity is later aroused by the arrival of a mysterious female guest who takes a room above the caf矇, and soon the adult world of a secret agent and the child's world of secret hideouts become inextricably entangled. Intended for young readers, the good vs. evil tale in this book illustrates the importance of honesty, reliability, and trustworthiness against the backdrop of wartime resistance in occupied France.
Halloween on the Butterfield Trail
It's Halloween in 1860, wolves are howling, and bats are flying across the face of the moon. Eleven-year-old Bird and his twin brother are on a Butterfield stage headed across the Red River into Texas. Even though their father is the driver, the next several miles will be scary. Night has fallen, and the dark woods may be full of spooks, ghost bells, glowing tombstones, headless horsemen, wandering spirits, and forked-tail terrors.When the brothers meet up with Zeb, an enslaved boy, they face the woods' chilling possibilities as they set out for buried treasure that could buy Zeb his freedom. Even if they find it, who would drive the stagecoach if no one else is able? What would happen if the stage escaped the woods, only to get caught in a buffalo stampede? And what would the boys do if they learn that the treasure was stolen from hardworking folks?Even as the three boys forge a friendship, Bird grapples with a central question: Why can't he and Zeb just be boys around one other? Instead, adults require Zeb to call him Massa Bird, an example of the deference an enslaved person is expected to pay even a fellow youngster.A closing chapter tells the history and folklore (personally collected by the author) behind the story and suggests books for further reading.
My Backyard Used to Be
My backyard is where we play and learn, but it wasn't always my backyard... Hit rewind on the view out your backdoor as this story zips back in time, showing readers how people, lifestyles, and land have changed over time. My Backyard Used to Be makes history feel current and accessible to young readers--and encourages them to discover what their own backyard used to be.
Out of the Dark
Kathleen Thomas is a twelve-year-old girl living in occupied Denmark during World War II. When she falls into a mysterious hole in the woods near her adopted aunts' house, she loses her beloved Bible and meets a boy named Jack, the first of many compelling strangers to stumble into her life. A teenage Nazi, a baker's apprentice with a tragic past, and a little girl forced to hide in a closet-all are connected, but how? When Jack's friend is captured by the Nazis, Kathleen takes action and finds herself plunged into danger. But light can be found in the darkest places, and as friends emerge from the shadows, Kathleen makes discoveries that change her forever: loving one's enemies and embracing the family God grants us.
Murasaki
The thrilling conclusion to Seasons of the Sword!Can one girl survive?An easy mission promises to be Risuko's lastKano Murasaki (called Risuko), Emi, and Toumi are on accompanying a spoiled young noblewoman to her wedding. What should be a simple assignment-get the bride to the wedding, make sure she's properly dressed-is anything but.Because someone wants the lady dead.And because Risuko and her friends aren't just lady's maids. They are kunoichi.Trained spies, assassins... and in this case, bodyguards.The wedding-which Risuko herself negotiated at sword-point-has the potential to unite the most powerful clans in Japan under a single banner, ending over a century of bloodshed. And so Risuko must do everything that she can to keep the brat of a princess safe and deliver her to her groom. Failure would mean death not only for the bride and her bodyguards. It might mean another hundred years of destruction for the whole empire.Along the way, Risuko and her friends must confront hidden enemies and uncover who is behind the plot. She must confront the ghosts of her past to become, finally, herself.Can Risuko survive?Can Risuko kill?Seasons of the Sword: Risuko (Winter)Bright Eyes (Spring)Kano (Summer)Murasaki (Autumn)(Young adult historical adventure; Japanese Civil War)
Surf Soup The Chinese Herb Store
Step into the world of Surf Soup(R), where seeds grow into stories and love blooms everywhere.In Surf Soup(R) Chinese Herbs, Little Donna and her friends explore the family garden and Great-Grandpa's Chinese Herb Store, tucked right next to Grandma's laundry.When Donna gets a tummy ache, Great-Grandpa gently checks her pulse and selects herbs from the garden to make a warm, soothing tea.This heartwarming story celebrates family, tradition, and the legacy of Chinese American herbal shops, including the historic Chew Kee Store in Fiddletown, California. Includes a kid-friendly herb glossary.Ages 5-12
We Bury Nothing
In 1943, German soldier Erich Stein is captured by the Allies and imprisoned at Camp 43 in Canada, where he begins to question everything he once believed about what it means to be "a good German." In present day, Keira Martin lands a summer internship at the museum built atop Camp 43 to work on a historical true crime research project: solving the murder of Erich Stein in 1945. But when a fellow intern drowns under suspicious circumstances, Keira unveils a potential connection between the two deaths involving the Hoppers, a politically powerful family on the museum board pushing anti-2SLGBTQ+ policies. The Hopper Scholarship is Keira's only hope to afford her dream university, but the more secrets she digs up from the past, the less certain she is about her own future ...
Drummers Forward! Marching with Angels
This fictional novel is about a young drummer boy from Vermont and his struggle to stay alive while participating in battle during the American Civil War. Tommy Taft learns many a life lesson from those surrounding him as he witnesses the horror of this great and terrible war. Tommy is accompanied by his best friend, Jordan Preavy, also a drummer boy from Vermont. Jordan tries to keep the ever-adventure-seeking Tommy from trouble. The two boys witness a meeting of Free Masons one dark night. They see Confederate and Union soldiers together, and question how these men can call their enemies brothers. What secrets will the boys see? Tommy and Jordan take readers to a place where life and death are a daily struggle. Answering the call of President Abraham Lincoln, the boys view what has become known as the Battle of the Seven Days. They are sent for duty at an army field hospital where they learn to cope with the horrific realm of the operating room, helping surgeons with amputations and other procedures. The boys learn what true courage really is and that there is much more to being a good soldier then just carrying a gun. They learn the value of teamwork and grow in self-confidence. David D. Parent is a native Vermonter and drumming enthusiast who has enjoyed playing drums all his life. He has played in everything from rock bands to the percussion of the Vermont youth orchestra, to presently drumming with the pipes and drums of the Saint Andrews Pipe Band of Vermont.
The Spy in the Museum
This riveting, "visually stunning" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book biography tells the true story of Rose Valland's valiant efforts to save thousands of works of art during World War II by becoming a spy in her own museum. Rose Valland loved art. When the Nazis invaded Paris during World War II and took over her beloved museum, Rose could have fled. But who would save the artwork? So, Rose remained and saw how she was underestimated by the soldiers for being a quiet, unassuming woman. She knew it was the time to act. And Rose had a secret weapon: she could speak German. She listened, kept track of all the stolen art, and saved what she could. Rose became a spy. And in the end, she saved thousands of works of art.
Reach for the Sky: How Two Brothers Built an Airplane in Chinatown
As the Great Depression brought families and cities to their knees, Robert Shun Wong and his younger brother Tommy, dreamed of flying. Money was tight, racial discrimination was high and times were tough. But in the heart of Vancouver's Chinatown, the two brothers built a single-seat plane - a Pietenpol Sky Scout. Pushing the boundaries of their world, Robert and Tommy were soon flying beyond their wildest dreams! This inspiring true story, by Robert's daughter Evelyn Wong, tells of the pioneering years in aviation and the incredible contributions made by the Chinese Canadian community. Reach for the Sky invites young readers to test their limits and set their eyes beyond the horizon.
The hunters of Puno
One fateful day 9000 years ago in the high Andes Mountains, Warawara and Phaxsi successfully hunted two adult vicu簽a with their atlatls (spear throwers)--but they also inadvertently orphaned a baby vicu簽a. Wiskachita, their young daughter, pleaded to spare the cr穩a's life, but the small community of five families desperately needed the clothing and food it could provide. That night in their ichu grass house, Warawara and Phaxsi hatched a plan. They sheared the animal's fine wool and wove it into a baby's hat. The next morning, they presented the hat to a family in need and convinced the community to work together in caring for the cr穩a. In that moment, a little vicu簽a became a community member and the first vicu簽a in a herd that would grow to provide the community with warm clothing for life in the cold mountains. The story of Warawara, Phaxsi, Wiskachita, and their community was co-created by members of the Peruvian Aymara community of Mulla Fasiri and archaeologists from Peru and the US. It is based on traditional Aymara knowledge and archaeological excavations at the 9000-year-old site of Wilamaya Patjxa. Not only is this a story of a strong, innovative family, but it is also the story of a strong Aymara culture whose innovations have enhanced the modern world. In order to make the story accessible to different audiences, we tell the story in three languages-Aymara, Spanish, and English.
White House on Fire! (White House Clubhouse #2)
When the clubhouse fills with smoke, Marissa and Clara Suarez escape through one of its doors--and find themselves in James Madison's presidency, with the White House and capital city set on fire by invading British troops! With an iconic portrait of George Washington in hand, they race through the countryside as the War of 1812 rages all around them. Over rough roads, on sailing ships, and on the ramparts of Baltimore's Fort McHenry, Marissa and Clara help save a young nation (and play a part in writing "The Star-Spangled Banner") while confronting the contradictions that challenge what it means to be free.Funny, fast-paced, and filled with wholesome adventure, White House on Fire! continues Sean O'Brien's exciting middle grade series that "masterfully weaves together history, adventure, and purpose" (Ruby Shamir).
