Neighbors
This 82-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit https: //www.prolingualearning.com/ for more details). Plot Summary for Neighbors: In the 1980s in El Salvador, the struggle for power between the government's army and the Guerillas causes widespread damage and death. A peasant couple, Ram籀 n and Pilar, see their neighbor being taken away, his wife killed, and his house burned. Ram籀 n becomes involved in a protest and is marked for death. He tries to escape to the U.S. but is returned to El Salvador and discovers that his village was destroyed and his family gone. He again crosses the U.S. border and is rescued from death in the desert by two nuns. He is given sanctuary by a couple in Texas. While there, he learns that his family is safe. Together again, they move to Maryland where they work in a restaurant. After several years, they work to help others gain protected status and sanctuary in the U.S. Features *Free accompanying AUDIO program, available to download from https: //www.prolingualearning.com/ or to stream on https: //www.youtube.com/@ProLinguaLearningAudio Includes a downloadable Sample Lesson for classroom or independent study. Includes a downloadable Teacher's Guide with a Plot Summary, Discussion Questions, Historical Photos, and Detailed Background. Includes downloadable Ready-to-use classroom activities: What Did You Read? Form, Book Report Form, Word Play, and Fill-in-the-Blanks Review Activities. Also in the " Hopes and Dreams" Series The Family from Vietnam: Vietnamese-Americans A Different Home: Cuban Americans For Gold and Blood: Chinese-Americans Hungry No More: Irish-Americans Nobody Knows: African-Americans The Magic Paper: Mexican-Americans Sent Away: Japanese-Americans Little Italy: Italian-Americans Old Ways, New Ways: Jewish-Americans Two Hearts: Irish-Americans
The Heart of Bakers and Artists
It is 1911, and nine-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants loves to sing, and wants to, has to, prove she is not a little kid. She and her large family are crammed into a three-room flat in New York City's Lower East Side. Everyone must do their share to help out. Big sister Betta sews home piece work and bossy Margaret bakes discounted Daily Bread at Goldberg's bakery for the Taglia family. Lily wants to do more than dry dishes, keep little sister Gigi out from underfoot, and not make her sisters or Mama crazy with her singing. When Mrs. Goldberg, the baker's wife, notices Lily's height and recognizes her artist heart, she invites Lily to learn how to bake Daily Bread with Margaret. Lily is thrilled to have a big kid job in the magical bakery basement where Mrs. Goldberg dances and gives away sweet Knot Surprises. Mama thinks this is a good arrangement too. Now Margaret can quit school to work in a factory for a wage. But Margaret likes school and wants to be a somebody. Besides, she says Lily is just a little kid, and there's more to baking Daily Bread than height and an artist's heart. Mama stands firm and Lily tags-a-long with Margaret only to learn that being a big kid is fraught with bullies, disasters, and treacherous streets to cross by herself. Previously titled as Daily BreadFirst Place Winner of the Purple Dragonfly Book Award The Heart of Bakers and Artists Daily Bread is a humbling experience as you read through the chapters and gain a relationship with the characters. It embraces child labor, the hardships immigrant families endured during a time spoken very little about. I couldn't put the book down and am hoping for a sequel. Daily Bread is brilliant. Marie Yervasi Youth Services Librarian/Programmer Westhampton Beach Free Library The Heart of Bakers and Artists Daily Bread is a page turning story about family ties, community and struggle on Mott Street in 1911. Antoniette Truglio Martin will captivate young readers wanting to know more about the immigration period as they travel through time with this heartfelt story about the way it was and how Daily Bread from the bakery wafts a ripple effect of meanings for the characters and their places in the world. Adrienne Cirone Associate Principal K-6, Reading Specialist The Heart of Bakers and Artists Daily Bread, is an impressive piece of MG historical fiction about the Taglias, a Sicilian family who immigrated to America at the beginning of the twentieth century. You will fall in love with the Taglia sisters and their dreams. This novel is definitely a page turner! Truglio Martin has beautifully crafted a story rich with the history of Manhattan's Lower East Side in 1911. The author deftly captures the essence of the immigrants' experiences in their new homeland. Suzanne Travis, High School English Curriculum Consultant
A Different Home
This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details).Plot Summary for A Different Home: In 1962 Mario Perez' parents sent him alone to work in the United States. He had been helping them run their sugar business after it was taken over by the Castro government. Mario arrived in Miami with a few clothes and little money. He got a job in a grocery store while he studied English. The Cuban Refugee Center found him a job in a bank, but not in Miami. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio and helped the bank work with Spanish-speaking customers. He did well. He became a citizen, married, had two daughters, and was elected to the school board. Then after 20 years, his parents were able to leave Cuba. He went back to Miami and hired a boat.
Humanity 2.0
This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details).Plot Summary for Nobody Knows: Mattie's family are sharecroppers in the American South. When Mattie is six, Mama takes her to town where she sees two doors marked "White Only" and "Colored Only." Mattie thinks the shopkeeper doesn't like them. Her mother tells her at least she's not a slave, as she was as a child. At 18, Mattie marries Nate Charles. In 1917 their cotton crop is failing, so Nate takes a job in a Chicago meatpacking plant. Mattie is sad to leave home, but she moves with her husband to work for a better life. In the North they find racial prejudice, labor unrest, and violence. They work hard, and with two children they move to a better home. Then there is an accident at the plant. Nate is killed. Alone after Nate dies, Mattie brings Mama north to help her. Through the Great Depression and World War II, she works many jobs to support her family. When Mama dies, Mattie takes her home. She finds the South still segregated. She stands up for change.FeaturesFree accompanying AUDIO program, available to download from http: //prolingualearning.com or to stream on http: //youtube.com/@ProLinguaLearningAudioIncludes a downloadable Sample Lesson for classroom or independent studyIncludes a downloadable Teacher's Guide with a Plot Summary, Discussion Questions, Historical Photos, and Detailed BackgroundIncludes downloadable Ready-to-use classroom activities: What Did You Read? Form, Book Report Form, Word Play and Fill-in-the-Blanks Review ActivitiesIdeal for reading, discussion, and cross-cultural understanding in ESL or citizenship programsAlso in the "Hopes and Dreams" Series: The Family from Vietnam: Vietnamese-AmericansA Different Home: Cuban AmericansFor Gold and Blood: Chinese-AmericansHungry No More: Irish-AmericansNobody Knows: African-AmericansThe Magic Paper: Mexican-AmericansSent Away: Japanese-AmericansLittle Italy: Italian-AmericansOld Ways, New Ways: Jewish-AmericansNeighbors: A Family from El SalvadorTwo Hearts: Irish-Americans
The Family from Vietnam
This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available for free.Plot Summary for The Family from Vietnam: As 1975 begins, Vietnam is a divided country. The North, with its capital in Hanoi, is a communist country under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh. The South, with its capital in Saigon, is supported by the United States. At the end of April 1975, Saigon is about to fall to the Communists. The Nguyen family, Mai and Set and their three children, need to escape because their uncle has worked for the Americans. They manage to escape by helicopter from the roof of the U.S. Embassy, but they are separated. Mai and two children are sent to Guam, while Set and their son Vinh are sent to the Philippines where Vinh becomes sick and dies. Mai with her two children are sent to a refugee camp, Fort Indiantown Gap, in Pennsylvania. At the same time, Set is living with a sponsor family in California. Separated by 2,500 miles, Mai and Set begin to adapt to American culture. After many months, Set learns that his family is in Pennsylvania. He hitchhikes across the country, and at last they are re-united. They and their children go on to live very successful lives.FeaturesFree accompanying AUDIO program, available to download from http: //prolingualearning.com or to stream on http: //youtube.com/@ProLinguaLearningAudioIncludes a downloadable Sample Lesson for classroom or independent studyIncludes a downloadable Teacher's Guide with a Plot Summary, Discussion Questions, Historical Photos, and Detailed BackgroundIncludes downloadable Ready-to-use classroom activities: What Did You Read? Form, Book Report Form, Word Play and Fill-in-the-Blanks Review ActivitiesIdeal for reading, discussion, and cross-cultural understanding in ESL or citizenship programsAlso in the "Hopes and Dreams" Series: The Family from Vietnam: Vietnamese-AmericansA Different Home: Cuban AmericansFor Gold and Blood: Chinese-AmericansHungry No More: Irish-AmericansNobody Knows: African-AmericansThe Magic Paper: Mexican-AmericansSent Away: Japanese-AmericansLittle Italy: Italian-AmericansOld Ways, New Ways: Jewish-AmericansNeighbors: A Family from El SalvadorTwo Hearts: Irish-Americans
Sent Away
This 80-page easy-to-understand reader is one of 12 historical novels in the Hopes and Dreams series, whose diverse and fascinating characters, regardless of their ethnicity, face prejudice, danger, hardships, and setbacks, but survive with perseverance, a little bit of luck, and a generous amount of love in their new home in the US. Downloadable audio recordings of all 12 novels and free supplementary materials for teachers are available (visit ProLinguaLearning.com for more details).Plot Summary for Sent Away: This is the story of the Higashis, a Japanese-American family. At New Year's dinner in 1941, the Higashis celebrated their good life in Northern California, living on their successful strawberry farm and running a boarding house for the farmworkers. They were prosperous and proud to be in America. On December 7, the bombing of Pearl Harbor changed everything. Keiko and her brother Tatsu were American citizens, but they and their parents were sent away to Poston, a Relocation Camp in the Arizona desert for the duration of World War II. It was dusty, hot, and crowded with poor sanitation. Mrs. Higashi died there. Tatsu joined the U.S. Army and was killed fighting for America in Europe. Mr. Higashi helped administer the camp's co-op, while Keiko studied and kept their tiny living space. After the war, Keiko and her father returned home to California to rebuild their lives.FeaturesFree accompanying AUDIO program, available to download from http: //prolingualearning.com or to stream on http: //youtube.com/@ProLinguaLearningAudioIncludes a downloadable Sample Lesson for classroom or independent studyIncludes a downloadable Teacher's Guide with a Plot Summary, Discussion Questions, Historical Photos, and Detailed BackgroundIncludes downloadable Ready-to-use classroom activities: What Did You Read? Form, Book Report Form, Word Play and Fill-in-the-Blanks Review ActivitiesIdeal for reading, discussion, and cross-cultural understanding in ESL or citizenship programsAlso in the "Hopes and Dreams" Series: The Family from Vietnam: Vietnamese-AmericansA Different Home: Cuban AmericansFor Gold and Blood: Chinese-AmericansHungry No More: Irish-AmericansNobody Knows: African-AmericansThe Magic Paper: Mexican-AmericansSent Away: Japanese-AmericansLittle Italy: Italian-AmericansOld Ways, New Ways: Jewish-AmericansNeighbors: A Family from El SalvadorTwo Hearts: Irish-Americans
The Wouldbegoods
Having been banished from the Blackheath mansion after a disastrous game of 'Jungle Book', the six Bastable children find all kinds of adventures to take up their time in the country.After meeting the siblings, Denny and Daisy, the children group together to form a 'Society of Wouldbegoods' who seek to become better people by doing good deeds. However nothing seems to go according to plan! Whether trying to erect a tombstone for a neighbour's son, or damming a river while playing Beavers, trouble is never far away in these hilarious stories that have been a favorite of children for over 100 years.Don't miss the Bastable's other adventures in The Story of the Treasure Seekers, and The New Treasure Seekers, also from Living Book Press.
The Deep Enders
Teen and Young Adult Novel Based on Actual World War II Events#1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Boys & Men Fiction, Teen & Young Adult Military Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, and Australia"An action-packed adventure filled with wonderful characters, life, and color. The Deep Enders is a wild ride for readers!" --Leah James, film producerIn the throes of the Pacific War, a troubled young man, Murph Turner, seeks solace in the Western Australia pearling town of Broome after his home was destroyed, but instead he finds true friendship, romance, adventure, and wartime treachery.A teen and young adult novel filled with adventure, danger, and more! His home destroyed in The Pacific War, a troubled young man, Murph Turner, stumbles into the exotic pearling town of Broome hoping for safe harbor. Instead, he discovers a lawless place brimming with espionage, treachery, and murder. An outsider in a bewildering land of red dust and paranoia, Murph is quickly taken under wing by Banjo--a cheeky Aboriginal scamp with a passion for pyrotechnics--and Micki, a beautiful teenager on the run from authorities. But even as the Japanese armada closes in on the northern coastline, the trio is suddenly thrust into a murderous adventure--all set against the backdrop of a true wartime tragedy. Follow Murph as he navigates a war-torn world, and comes of age through, friendship, romance, and resilience. Enter the turmoil of war-torn Australia during WWII. The Deep Enders is based on actual events linked to Pearl Harbor, so shocking that the matter was immediately covered up by Allied governments and has remained largely unknown for 75 years.If you liked Dark Fury by Evan Graver, The Coordinate by Marc Jacobs, or Seeking Safety by T.L Payne, your next read should be The Deep Enders by Dave Reardon.
Persuasion in Your Life
On the run from the authorities in early 1940s British Columbia, Loretta and her brother travel with their gambling stepfather as he strikes out in search of a good poker game.
Survivor Tree
This hopeful story of a resilient tree that grew (and still grows) at the base of the twin towers is a simple introduction for young readers to gain an understanding of September 11th and the impact it had on America. One September day, the perfect blue sky exploded. Dust billowed. Buildings crumbled. And underneath it all, a tree sprouted green leaves in its distress. Pulled from the wreckage, the tree saw many seasons pass as it slowly recovered far away from home. Until one day, forever scarred and forever stronger, it was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial. This story of the real Survivor Tree uses nature's cycle of colors to reflect on the hope and healing that come after a tragedy--and assures readers of their own remarkable resilience.
Greek Adventure
'The brilliant and entertaining illustrations in this series enliven a clear and enjoyable text that should stimulate serious thought about the world and our place in it.' - Lord Rees, Astronomer RoyalJoin Harriet, Darwin's pet tortoise, and Milton, Schrodinger's indecisive cat on a time-travelling quest of discovery, unravelling scientific exploration and religious beliefs and how they fit together.Throughout the centuries humans have been looking for answers to BIG questions - how did the universe start? Is there a God behind it? Has science explained away the need for a God, or can faith enhance scientific discovery?On this adventure Harriet and Milton are investigating who the first scientists were. Step into Harriet and Milton's time machine, bring some snacks, and enjoy this curious quest of discovery - become a Mesopotamian stargazer, cast your vote in 'Greece has Scientific Talent', and meet Pythagoras!Written by Julia Golding, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2006, and the Nestle Smarties Book Prize 2006.
The Blood of Patriots and Tyrants
Will the colonies lose everything they fought for? Confronted with economic collapse and near anarchy, who can save the union? Will freedom be just a new tyranny?Three destitute young men must find their fortunes amidst squabbling colonies that can't determine how to govern. They can barely feed and clothe themselves, with no money to be found anywhere, in addition to having to face bad weather, epidemics, thieves, and cut-throats, confronting them at every turn.Will competing parties with fears of monarchy and fears of anarchy ever be able to compromise enough to develop a stable government in which our young men can flourish?
E. Z. and the Chikasha Warrior
In Book 2 of the Fighting Devil's Backbone series, as the boy E. Z. Perkins struggles to survive the mysterious, frontier road known as "The Devil's Backbone," a Chickasaw warrior offers him a home. E. Z. must learn the skills of an Indian hunter and warrior to save his own life . . . and the lives of his brother David and his best friend Isaiah. Enemies multiply to test E. Z.'s new skills as he discovers that one of his worst nightmares has become the world in which he must live.The Fighting Devil's Backbone Series follows the adventures of an eastern boy E. Z. Perkins, who is thrown into a new world on the western U. S. frontier in 1809. E. Z.'s widowed mother brings the boy and his younger brother David to the Natchez Trace, one of the bloodiest roads in U. S. history, to find a new home. The boy is warned that the road is filled with bandits, angry Indian warriors, and supernatural creatures. E. Z. must learn survival skills to save himself and his family.
Iain of New Scotland
Thirteen-year-old Iain Robertson is homesick for the Highlands of Scotland. It's September 1773, and he has just arrived in Nova Scotia with his parents and little sister after the long, disastrous, Atlantic voyage of the ship Hector. They wanted a new life in New Scotland-but the land agent lied to them. With no money, no food, no shelter, and winter fast approaching, how will they survive? Author Margaret MacKay of Pictou County, Nova Scotia, draws on the experiences of her ancestors to weave a tale of the first Gaels to settle in Nova Scotia.
To Love is to Wait
Patience Gouldsmith is embarking on the greatest journey that most young women in Regency England prepare for their entire lives: marriage. Only, she is marrying a man that she does not know. While arranged marriages are not uncommon in England society, Patience does not agree with her family's expectations. Despite her cold shoulder, there is something strange about her new husband. Why is he so kind, what is he hiding, and what does he teach her? Read this enchanting novel about what true love really means and discover an important key that is necessary for any relationship.
La promesse du bout du monde
?t矇 1786. Deux gar癟ons orphelins de quinze ans sont sur un voilier parti de Southampton, en Angleterre, pour le Nord-Est du Pacifique. Alexis, d'origine acadienne, cherche ce qu'il reste de sa famille dispers矇e, et Hugh r礙ve d'une vie meilleure. Mais un jeune cougar affam矇 vient bousculer le destin des adolescents une fois qu'ils sont arriv矇s sur le continent nord-am矇ricain. Tandis que Hugh, bless矇, est secouru par un membre de l'矇quipage, Alexis, perdu dans la for礙t, aboutit ? un village autochtone terrass矇 par la petite v矇role. Au milieu des cadavres, seule une jeune fille est encore en vie. Alexis et elle vont s'entraider pour survivre...
A Drummer in Red
Lewis Elliot and his mother, Stella, are forced to flee their Baltimore home for the modest farm of their cousins in Gloucester County, Virginia. They arrive just as the feared Lord Cornwallis and the hated Colonel Banastre Tarleton take up residence in Gloucester Point and across the York River in Yorktown. The war heats up as Cornwallis fortifies Yorktown and Tarleton begins foraging raids in Gloucester County.Then, while Lewis and his cousins, Lloyd and Tetty, are off to Gloucester Courthouse to try to sell enough tobacco to provide for the family, Tarleton raids the farm and Stella receives a life-threatening injury.Through battle, betrayal, unexpected alliances, and, apparently, the Hand of God, Lewis and his cousins and friends take a role in the events leading to Cornwallis's surrender on October 19, 1781, after the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.
The Light in Hidden Places
The extraordinary story of Stefania Podgorska, a Polish teenager who chose bravery and humanity by hiding thirteen Jews in her attic during WWII, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sharon Cameron -- now a Reese's Book Club YA Pick! One knock at the door, and Stefania has a choice to make... It is 1943, and for four years, sixteen-year-old Stefania has been working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemysl, Poland, singing her way into their lives and hearts. She has even made a promise to one of their sons, Izio -- a betrothal they must keep secret since she is Catholic and the Diamants are Jewish. But everything changes when the German army invades Przemysl. The Diamants are forced into the ghetto, and Stefania is alone in an occupied city, the only one left to care for Helena, her six-year-old sister. And then comes the knock at the door. Izio's brother Max has jumped from the train headed to a death camp. Stefania and Helena make the extraordinary decision to hide Max, and eventually twelve more Jews. Then they must wait, every day, for the next knock at the door, the one that will mean death. When the knock finally comes, it is two Nazi officers, requisitioning Stefania's house for the German army. With two Nazis below, thirteen hidden Jews above, and a little sister by her side, Stefania has one more excruciating choice to make. This remarkable tale of courage and humanity, based on a true story, is now a Reese's Book Club YA Pick!
Alfgar the Dane or the Second Chronicle of Aescendune; A Tale of the Days of Edmund Ironside
A vivid doorway to a vanished age, Alfgar The Dane opens a window on eleventh century britain with the breath of Beowulf-style tales and the rigour of a scholarly chronicle. This restored edition offers more than a reprint: it revives a historical chronicle that chronicles lords and loyalties, the tremor of danish invasions in england, and the fragile vows that sustain medieval england. Rich with atmosphere and precise in its portrayal of eleventh century nobility, the tale blends saga warmth with disciplined narrative craft, inviting both casual readers and serious readers of history. The book's value lies in its contemporary accessibility paired with a long arc of cultural resonance, making it a touchstone for those who seek a complete historical collection brought back to life. Historically significant and literary in equal measure, Alfgar The Dane sits squarely in the Walter Scott era of romanticised, credible history, while offering fresh perspective for modern audiences. It rewards attentive reading with themes of loyalty and betrayal, political intrigue, and the human costs of power, set against the backdrop of medieval england and its northern horizons. This illustrated edition, with its annotated guidance and scholarly readers' approach, invites new generations to explore a timeless tale as if unearthed anew. A perfect choice for classic-literature collectors and curious readers alike, this edition stands as a cultural treasure, lovingly restored for today's shelves and for tomorrow's readers.
Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S.
A high-spirited signal from the past: Billy Barcroft, R.N.A.S. steps from the pages of history into today's readers, bearing the grit, camaraderie, and high-stakes courage of the Great War at sea. This complete wartime novel weaves historical wartime adventure with vivid nautical military fiction, launching a young hero's world-spanning journey through the great war era setting. Rich with naval detail, brisk action, and moral tests, it balances boyish valour with the gravity of global conflict, making it a touchstone for both boys adventure readers and lovers of youth historical fiction. The story stands as a hallmark of early twentieth century fiction, tender yet unflinching, and reads like a bridge between classic British naval fiction and modern maritime storytelling. Widely regarded for its literary and historical significance, Billy Barcroft embodies the endurance of British naval history while offering accessible, encounter-driven drama for contemporary audiences. It appeals to casual readers seeking a vigorous, self-contained adventure and to collectors who value a well-preserved, illustrated wartime edition that honours the era's texture, language, and spirit. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations, more than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure for readers, scholars, and enthusiasts of complete wartime novels. An enduring beacon in the world war i era journey of nautical bravery.
Oakland Tales
What if young teens could read an exciting novel describing the places they live and the problems they face? What if they learned history through their own eyes? Maybe, their neighborhoods are decrepit and their streets violent, but now they know it was once different. If a place changed in the past, can it change in the future, too? Ernesto from East Oakland and Jada from West Oakland have problems-big problems! Ernesto's parents have been deported, and Jada's dad is in prison. Now they are heading on a journey through time: back into Oakland's past and forward into Oakland's future. As they try to return to the present, their time, the things they see will change their lives forever. Packed with local sights and sounds and told in the language of The Town that they call home, Oakland Tales is the unforgettable coming-of-age story of two young people who discover that they are part of history and they can shape the future.GOALS: * attract young people to reading through stories representative of themselves;* connect youth to place by revealing history through their eyes;* reinforce bridges among cultures and present a model of inclusivity;* inspire youth to find themselves in the continuum of history;* offer a forum in the classroom and home to discuss social justice themes; * offer a tool of empowerment that articulates hope and helps shape agency; * address the crisis of literacy and by default, the school dropout rate; and* offer an interdisciplinary text appropriate for both Language Arts/Social Studies.Themes: connection to place, parent incarceration, street violence, parent deportation, history from below, and restorative justice,
Into the Lion’s Mouth
In 1498, an orphan can't expect much out of life. But the Renaissance is burgeoning, and Venice ripe with infinite possibilities. Nico is a child of the city, and his veins run with canal water. Rising above his lowly status, apprentice to a painter, just might be possible in the city of bridges. He's determined to use his wit and wile to become something more than another errand boy. But his hopes come crashing to the ground when he witnesses deception in Venice's inner circle. To escape the vengeance of the corrupt Lord Foscari, Nico travels half a world away to safety. But danger follows him to the streets of Constantinople where he discovers a peril looms over Venice that threatens to destroy it. Now he's forced to make a choice: stay safe in a foreign land and let Venice fall or risk his life to save everything he loves. Can he save his city, or will he lose his life trying?
City Cousins Spend the Summer
Jeremiah and Andrew are reluctant to have the city-slicker girl cousins visit for the summer. They never dreamed the girls would love farm life and Great-Granny's Scrapbook! Mercy Sakes! The girls manage to get into mischief, keeping everyone on their toes, especially when they discover an alien on the farm. Road tripping throughout Perry County starts conversations about medicine shows, door to door milk deliveries and dining on groundhogs. Uncovering Perry County artifacts, they continue searching for more, even in the outdoor three-seater.
Trail Blazer of the Seas
From the author of Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, winner of the 1956 Newbery Medal, Jean Lee Latham writes an absorbing biography of Matthew Fontaine Maury, the man considered to be the father of modern oceanography.In the early 1800s, the voyage from New York to San Francisco took six months. That was before Maury, a lieutenant in the US Navy, blazed a trail for ships to follow. The first ship to follow Maury's directions based on his wind and current charts cut nearly two months off that time. Later, clipper ships cut that time in half.For seven years Maury had fought against skepticism and bitter opposition, for the cooperation needed to gather data for his charts. Years later, at a worldwide peacetime conference in Brussels, which he organized in 1853, nine-tenths of the world's ships were helping Maury collect data and blaze more trails.After the success of his charts, Maury blazed on with more new ideas: he campaigned for a Naval Academy, for better fortification of our southern ports, and separate shipping lanes for eastbound and westbound routes in the Atlantic to avoid deadly collisions. Jean Lee Latham gives a warm, lively picture of the man and a clear explanation of his achievements. Victor Mays' drawings are both powerful and authentic. There is no discussion of slavery in this biography.
Days of Our Past
The First Volume in G.R Burns' Epic Saga the Bloodline of Kings."Bahira and her beloved younger brother have been captured by the murdering Urudu. She doesn't know why, she doesn't know where they are headed, she feels a breath away from losing everything she holds dear...and she's right. Can Areoch, the son of an Ancient Sumerian King, find his love Bahira in time to save her?In a world where faint echoes of oral tradition are all that remain to bridge the gap between folklore and ancient Power, Areoch and Bahira must both come to terms with what is myth and what is Truth...just as we must do now."Lexile Reading Level: 610LGLE: 4.7
A Drummer in Red
Lewis Elliot and his mother, Stella, are forced to flee their Baltimore home for the modest farm of their cousins in Gloucester County, Virginia. They arrive just as the feared Lord Cornwallis and the hated Colonel Banastre Tarleton take up residence in Gloucester Point and across the York River in Yorktown. The war heats up as Cornwallis fortifies Yorktown and Tarleton begins foraging raids in Gloucester County.Then, while Lewis and his cousins, Lloyd and Tetty, are off to Gloucester Courthouse to try to sell enough tobacco to provide for the family, Tarleton raids the farm and Stella receives a life-threatening injury.Through battle, betrayal, unexpected alliances, interactions with the Marquis de Lafayette and General George Washington, and, apparently, by the Hand of God, Lewis and his cousins and friends take roles in the events leading to Cornwallis's surrender on October 19, 1781, after the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.
Little Netra’s 1st Visit to Ancient Monuments
Netra is a brilliant girl, always curious to learn new things. From a very young age, she had travelled to quite a few places, which had made her a good observer. Her curiousness has surprised people many times but when curiosity got the better of her, it gave them anxious moments. When she came to know that her neighbour, Piu, whom she called 'Piu Tai', was going on a study tour conducted by the department of archaeology: a home of ancient settlements, little Netra, without getting her parents' or Piu's permission, boarded the vehicle and hid inside. Later, when everybody found her at the site, it was a shock. She was permitted to join the study tour after seeking her parents' permission via a video call by Dr. Ajoy. Everything was going smoothly when a small artefact captured little Netra's attention and made her curious. She picked it up to have a closer look, but little did she know that picking it up would reverse a boon.Years later, at the breakfast table, Netra's father was reminiscing about Netra's first visit to an ancient monument and how she, without taking anyone's permission, had joined the study tour. Netra did also time-travelled to that period. She had made a beautiful album of her wonderful memories by hand. Each photo in the album reminded her of the wonderful time she had spent with Piu and her family. Now that she is pursuing archaeology, an interest that was developed in her childhood, she learns about the next excavation season in the department of archaeology. She recollects some of the incidents. She rushes to her room, looking for an artefact she had preserved for years. As she looks at the artefact, she hears a whisper as a gust of wind blows: "Acceptance and correction are the keys. This is your only chance."
Beyond Rope and Fence
A compelling glimpse into a changing world, Beyond Rope And Fence draws you into a British setting where public pressure and private conscience collide. A quiet drama unfolds with stark immediacy, inviting readers to weigh freedom against obligation, and choice against convention. This vintage literary work offers crisp storytelling, sharp social commentary, and enduring questions about personal ethics. Its form and atmosphere entice casual readers with a human-scale narrative while also rewarding collectors and scholars with its clear window onto early twentieth-century life. The novel's themes-freedom and confinement, duty and desire-bear the hallmarks of a classic British fiction that still speaks across generations. For antiquarian reader interests, the book's provenance and period flavour provide a vivid texture to study and savour. Beyond Rope And Fence holds literary and historical significance as part of the public domain canon, preserved for today's readers and future generations to engage with thoughtfully. It appeals to book club readers seeking meaningful discussion and to academic researchers tracing social attitudes of its era, all while remaining accessible and engaging for a broader audience. This edition is more than a reprint-it is a collector's item and a cultural treasure, restored for modern readers without losing its original voice. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions, it stands as a cherished bridge between past and present, ready to inspire new conversations.
The Airship Boys in the Great War; or, The Rescue of Bob Russell
A brisk, wind-swept voyage into a world where courage is tested against the clouds and danger hides in every gale. The Airship Boys In The Great War invites young readers to travel with boys who pilot hope as deftly as they steer their airship across a world at war. This historical boys fiction unfolds as a taut war time adventure, mixing the suspense of a rescue mission narrative with themes of friendship and courage. Set against a world war one milieu, it offers a complete wartime tale that blends classic adventure fiction with human stakes, making it appealing to both casual readers and collectors of literature from bygone eras. The story maintains a clear, accessible voice that resonates with today's readers while honouring its timeless roots in the airship warfare tradition and the enduring allure of boy-led exploration. A note on literary and historical significance: this title belongs to the airship boys series, a fondly remembered strand of children wartime stories that captures the ingenuity and camaraderie of its era. By returning to print, Alpha Editions presents a work that is more than nostalgia: a restored treasure for new generations and a cornerstone for those collecting adventure fiction classics. Out of print for decades and now republished by Alpha Editions. Restored for today's and future generations. More than a reprint - a collector's item and a cultural treasure.
Bucky McGuire
Eleven-year-old Bucky McGuire climbs aboard his family's covered wagon and heads west in 1877. Wrapped in buffalo robes, young Bucky watches the new world unfurl before him and dreams of the possibilities of frontier life in post-Civil War Illinois. Bucky soon learns he will need every ounce of his considerable grit and good-heartedness to assist the McGuire clan in taming their new surroundings. There are crops to protect from a biblical plague of locusts, a cowboy posse to join when a fierce blizzard threatens a herd of cattle, and wayward children to rescue from an abandoned mine shaft. To say nothing of the risks posed by the smile of a pretty girl at the church social . . . As his adventures unfold, Bucky will discover that anything is possible with the help of a strong horse, a loyal dog, and the love of a good family.
I Am Awesome
I Am Awesome is the first book in the Malcom Explains Series, written by Joedy Barnes and illustrated by James Hislope. I Am Awesome follows Malcom, a little boy with a lot to share. Malcom explores the world, travels through time, and explains the awesomeness of his heritage and ancestry. This beautifully illustrated work is sure to inspire.
The Red Coat
Dorothy is a young girl living during The Great Depression. Her coat is threadbare. She has holes in her shoes. Dinner often consists of nothing more than beans and cornbread. Her mother earns a meager salary at the shirt factory. But, they do the best they can with what they have.Then through the generosity of a school mate, Dorothy is given a gift, which not only meets a physical need, but demonstrates the depth of love others show through giving.This story was adapted from one that the author's mother (Dorothy) told her regarding her own life during the 1930s. Not only does this lovely story teach love and gratitude, but it presents the life many endured during this time period of financial hardship in America.
The Little Jeep Who Couldn’t Beep
The Little Jeep Who Couldn't Beep was inspired by the M151A2 Army jeep that my veteran husband is restoring. I decided to give the jeep the name Marty M.U.T.T. as Army jeeps are actually referred to as a M.U.T.T., which stands for Military Utility Tactical Truck.Marty M.U.T.T. was once a mighty military jeep who carried soldiers around the country of Vietnam, but after all his hard work in the Army, he was banged up, dusty and broken. As happened with many other army jeeps, he was cut up and thrown aside to rust.Marty M.U.T.T. thought everyone had forgotten about him as he ended up alone in a cold, dark shed. He had tears coming from his headlights and was so sad that he couldn't even beep his horn!Find out what happens to Marty one ordinary day when someone rescued him.A delightful story of restoration that gives hope to young and old alike!The Little Jeep Who Couldn't Beep was inspired by the real-life story of Sgt. Stephen Williams who served in Vietnam in 1969-70.Note: Steve's memoir, Nine Pairs of Boots in Vietnam was published in November of 2020.
The Blitz Bus
Emmie let out a huge sob - "It's not a film set", she cried. She held onto Jack for a moment, then took a step back, closed her eyes and shouted - "WHERE AM I?"When Jack and Emmie suddenly find themselves transported back to London in 1940, they find a world both familiar, yet very different. As they dodge falling bombs and over-zealous policemen, they befriend Jan - a lonely Polish refugee. Together, they must work out if the shadowy figure they keep seeing is a spy and unlock the secret of getting home again...This educational story helps to weave current views and historical events together in an exciting adventure which would appeal to both boys and girls.
Cherokee Stone
Battling a World That Seeks to Destroy... Amelia Clay struggles with abandonment, fear, and betrayal after having grown up at the Cherokee Girls Mission where her father discarded her. The effects of these experiences travel with her when she finally returns home. While Amelia is learning to trust again, she finds herself married to a man she cannot love. Although she genuinely cares for her family and appears to have her life under control, there is a dark side to Amelia that refuses to remain hidden.Bonita McKindle, lives with her grandmother until her alcoholic father takes her back home. Despite being forced to fend for herself, Bonita emerges as a strong, independent young woman who loves school and has dreams. Bonita is supported by her aunt and uncle and gains the love of two of Amelia's sons, Ross and Clay. However, Bonita makes a poor decision, befriending an abused girl, and finds herself in a situation that she must escape, and an even worse decision lands Bonita and her admirer, Clay Stone, in the middle of a brutal murder.Can these two women deal with the dangerous situations thrown at them? Will they each find love and happiness?
The Little Jeep Who Couldn’t Beep
The Little Jeep Who Couldn't Beep was inspired by the M151A2 Army jeep that my veteran husband is restoring. I decided to give the jeep the name Marty M.U.T.T. as Army jeeps are actually referred to as a M.U.T.T., which stands for Military Utility Tactical Truck.Marty M.U.T.T. was once a mighty military jeep who carried soldiers around the country of Vietnam, but after all his hard work in the Army, he was banged up, dusty and broken. As happened with many other army jeeps, he was cut up and thrown aside to rust.Marty M.U.T.T. thought everyone had forgotten about him as he ended up alone in a cold, dark shed. He had tears coming from his headlights and was so sad that he couldn't even beep his horn!Find out what happens to Marty one ordinary day when someone rescued him.A delightful story of restoration that gives hope to young and old alike!The Little Jeep Who Couldn't Beep was inspired by the real-life story of Sgt. Stephen Williams who served in Vietnam in 1969-70.Note: Steve's memoir, Nine Pairs of Boots in Vietnam was published in November of 2020.
Christmas Truce
Featured in Kate Middleton's 2021 television special at Westminster Abbey, "Royal Carols: Together at Christmas"One night of peace in a world of war."Christmas Day, 1914 . . . My dear sister Janet . . . It is 2:00 in the morning and most of our men are asleep in their dugouts -- yet I could not sleep myself before writing to you of the wonderful events of Christmas Eve. In truth, what happened seems almost like a fairy tale, and if I hadn't been through it myself, I would scarce believe it. Just imagine: While you and the family sang carols before the fire there in London, I did the same with enemy soldiers here on the battlefields of France!"The Christmas Truce of 1914 is one of the most extraordinary incidents not only of World War I but of all history. Providing inspiration for songs, books, plays, and movies, it has endured as an archetypal image of peace. Yet much about the historic event remains shrouded in myth and legend.In this fictional letter -- illustrated in authentic detail by Wendy Edelson -- award-winning author Aaron Shepard draws from firsthand accounts of soldiers at the front to portray the truce in its true nature and spirit.TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS -- A READER'S THEATER SCRIPT FOR THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE ON AARON'S WEB SITE.////////////////////////////////////////////////Aaron Shepard's many books for young people have won honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the American Folklore Society, and the National Council for the Social Studies. Wendy Edelson has been honored with the Pacific Northwest Book Award, the Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and the Mom's Choice Award. Her other illustrated books include Aaron's "The Baker's Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale." ////////////////////////////////////////////////"Among the many entries celebrating this event's centennial, librarians and teachers should welcome this historically accurate telling for ages 9 and up." -- Kirkus Reviews (Web site), Aug. 11, 2014"Beautifully and realistically illustrated." -- Alex Baugh, The Children's War (blog)"Short but intense, heart-warming, full of hope, love, brotherhood, and friendship." -- Veronica Marzini, LibriAmoriMiei (blog), Nov. 8, 2014"A beautiful (and true) tale, with lovely illustrations . . . Great for a readaloud to children!" -- Beth Nolan Conners, Beth's Book-Nook Blog (blog), Nov. 12, 2014"Delightful . . . A really beautiful rendition of those fantastic events when, in the midst of war, the spirit of Christmas overruled the fighting and peace reigned on the battlefields." -- Elaine Brent, Splashes Into Books (blog), Dec. 7, 2014"Lovely . . . It evokes the time and place with vivid description and will certainly spark talk of why there is war . . . The artwork is stunning." -- Lynne Vanderveen Smith, children's librarian "Great to use with readers of various ages, especially in a social studies or American history curriculum." -- Karen Biggs-Tucker, co-author, "Transforming Literacy Teaching for the Era of Higher Standards""I would recommend this for any school library . . . Includes facts about life in the trenches of World War I -- but without making it too frightening for young readers. Descriptions add realism to the scenes. Other things might surprise students and cause them to rethink their assumptions that all Germans were 'bad guys' . . . An excellent addition to a unit on WWI. It could start a class discussion or even be used as a model text for students who are writing up their own narratives based on research into the war." -- Suzanne Costner, school librarian"What a wonderful way to show children that, even though there are differences between people, there are also similarities that can tie us together, even in a war zone." -- Kim Napier, teacher
Cherokee Stone
Battling a World That Seeks to Destroy... Amelia Clay struggles with abandonment, fear, and betrayal after having grown up at the Cherokee Girls Mission where her father discarded her. The effects of these experiences travel with her when she finally returns home. While Amelia is learning to trust again, she finds herself married to a man she cannot love. Although she genuinely cares for her family and appears to have her life under control, there is a dark side to Amelia that refuses to remain hidden.Bonita McKindle, lives with her grandmother until her alcoholic father takes her back home. Despite being forced to fend for herself, Bonita emerges as a strong, independent young woman who loves school and has dreams. Bonita is supported by her aunt and uncle and gains the love of two of Amelia's sons, Ross and Clay. However, Bonita makes a poor decision, befriending an abused girl, and finds herself in a situation that she must escape, and an even worse decision lands Bonita and her admirer, Clay Stone, in the middle of a brutal murder.Can these two women deal with the dangerous situations thrown at them? Will they each find love and happiness?
Hidden Heroes
America was born of a revolution in 1775. It began with a single shot fired in a small New England village - Lexington, Massachusetts - with "the shot heard 'round the world." Nathan Hoyt and Job, one of his eleven children, left to find George Washington and sign up as Patriots to fight for what was soon-to-be America. Previously, there had been no colonial army, so no one knew the hardships, tears, blood, and fears that were to come in the American Revolution. Would the Patriots still have signed up? In a one-word answer - YES! They would fight for this country that they loved. General George Washington saw in Nathan Hoyt something special, and Hoyt was soon asked to join the elite Culper Ring - a spy ring that was run directly by George Washington. The Culper Ring risked their lives daily as they presented themselves as Loyalists (those who were loyal to the crown) and got intelligence messages to the General. Needless to say, the seven members of the Culper Ring were, indeed, Hidden Heroes.
No Lemonade Today!
There was a time and place during each summer when winter was given back to folks in a small Minnesota farming town. Winter was simply saved by cutting up the town's ice skating rink and storing that ice in a large barn until summer arrived. The ice man would then begin to deliver those winter memories so folks could put it in their ice boxes to keep their food cool and fresh.Those young boys in that small farming town should have known better. Sneaking into the icehouse was not intended to cool off! But rather, it was to verify how cool they thought they were. Such thinking could lead to catching some chilling outcome, or maybe even catching a little heat!
Sticks and Stones
Summer of 1914 - Stevensville, Montana. School is out. Emma's Dad and brothers are off to Oregon to earn money in a lumber camp. Emma is left behind with her pet cat Licorice, Grandpa, and a very strict Grandma. She promises Dad to be good. But that promise is hard to keep with her schoolmate Marvin playing tricks, spying and teasing her with silly rhymes. A war of words between Emma and Marvin leads to unforeseen trouble.
When the Dikes Broke
The wind was screaming around their house, banging at the shutters and threatening the roof, when the Van Rossem family went to bed. They were accustomed to heavy winds, the house was strong and solid, and the dikes that held back the sea were strong too. But during the night they woke to the sound of shrieking sirens and clanging church bells. Even more frightening was the water splashing right inside the house.That was the beginning of a night of terror, and dreadful days followed. People were swept off their roofs, and clung to anything they could find in hopes of being rescued. Through it all, the people of the Netherlands rallied to search for the missing, and the dike army worked non-stop to prevent further disaster.Alta Halverson Seymour wrote this gripping tale a short five years after the great flood swept over the Netherlands on January 31, 1953-their worst flood in over five hundred years. Through it all, the Dutch people showed great courage reclaiming homes and farms, in an agelong battle against the sea.
Vitamina T for Tacos
IntroductionVitamina T for Tacos explores nuestra comida, cultura and places in Latino & Latina vecindarios, neighborhoods, parques y plazas. From the tacos we all grew up eating like barbacoa and huevos con chorizo, places in and around our neighborhoods like taquerias, trucks and cultural references that empower our children to embrace their Mexican and Latinx identities and roots. Nuestra comida is connected to special places in our communities and includes food we all grew up with that everyone can enjoy and learn from. This book is an alphabet book, a taco dictionary, a cultural guide and a reminder of the importance of tacos, places y la cultura Latina. Vitamina T for Tacos is a part of a book series that explores food, places y cultura. Vitamina T is for tacos, the cultural superpower that we get from embracing nuestra comida y cultura. It's a Mexican cultural reference to the sustenance we get from comiendo tacos on the street, in our neighborhoods, at taco stands and taquerias that help us get through our daily lives. It's just another way to get our ganas for the day by eating our favorite tacos; bean & cheese, breakfast tacos, tres de asada, fajitas y m獺s!
Vitamina T For Tacos
Vitamina T for Tacos explores nuestra comida, cultura and places in Latino & Latina vecindarios, neighborhoods, parques y plazas. From the tacos we all grew up eating like barbacoa and huevos con chorizo, places in and around our neighborhoods like taquerias, trucks and cultural references that empower our children to embrace their Mexican and Latinx identities and roots. Nuestra comida is connected to special places in our communities and includes food we all grew up with that everyone can enjoy and learn from. This book is an alphabet book, a taco dictionary, a cultural guide and a reminder of the importance of tacos, places y la cultura Latina. Vitamina T for Tacos is a part of a book series that explores food, places y cultura. Vitamina T is for tacos, the cultural superpower that we get from embracing nuestra comida y cultura. It's a Mexican cultural reference to the sustenance we get from comiendo tacos on the street, in our neighborhoods, at taco stands and taquerias that help us get through our daily lives. It's just another way to get our ganas for the day by eating our favorite tacos; bean & cheese, breakfast tacos, tres de asada, fajitas y m獺s!
Abigail’s Auntie Kristi
Abigail, also known as Corn Cob and Baby Shark, anxiously awaits the arrival of Auntie Kristi. They share a special day together, one that Abigail will never forget. After all, the best adventures begin and end with a hug."Abigail's Auntie Kristi" is Allison Romero's second children's book. Like "Three Gifts For Abigail," this book shares the life of a multiracial family.
Cherokee Clay
Broken Promises. Betrayal. Death. It is 1838. The Cherokee people are being rounded up by the U.S. government and forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. A young Cherokee girl named Bluebird is swept up in the Army's net, separated from her mother, and taken to a disease-ridden detention camp. While being detained there, Bluebird becomes close to an elderly woman and her grandson, Grey Wolf. Within weeks, they leave the camp and set out upon a horrific 5,000 mile cross-country march to Indian Territory-a journey that will become known to history as the Trail of Tears.So begins Cherokee Clay, a powerful multi-generational saga following the trials and tribulations of Bluebird, Grey Wolf, and their descendants as they fight for their very survival from the Trail of Tears to the Civil War and beyond.
Three Lines in a Circle
One line straight down. One line to the right. One line to the left, then a circle. That was all--just three lines in a circle.This bold picture book tells the story of the peace symbol--designed in 1958 by a London activist protesting nuclear weapons--and how it inspired people all over the world. Depicting the symbol's travels from peace marches and liberation movements to the end of apartheid and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Three Lines in a Circle offers a message of inspiration to today's children and adults who are working to create social change. An author's note provides historical background and a time line of late twentieth-century peace movements.
My Gaza
Ahmy and Binny are neighbors, yet a world of differences separates them. They are caught in the middle of a deep-rooted war in the Middle East. Yet when Ahmy crosses the wall that divides their villages, he and Binny come to realize that they may not be so different after all. But in the midst of suicide bombings and funerals of children, will they be seen as peaceful heroes by their people -- or traitors? Many of us have watched scenes on the nightly news showing fighting among people from a faraway place. We soon understand that this is what seems to be an endless conflict between two groups of people trying to share the same small country. We see youths throwing rocks, soldiers shooting back, and a constant refrain that each side is retaliating for what the other did yesterday or last month or 60 years ago. The place is Israel, and the issue is how people called the Palestinians will share the land of Israel with, of course, the Israelis. But why is that so hard to solve? What are Occupied Territories? The West Bank of what? And what in the world is the Gaza Strip? Why are they fighting, and how will the conflict ever be resolved? My Gaza, though fiction, is based on real events and real dialogue. This fast-paced, action-packed book is for hi/lo readers from Middle School to adults designed to educate and entertain and answer many of the seemingly impossible questions that have plagued politicians for decades. Maybe you can come up with the solution...
