Waiting with Elmer
Abandoned by his father in the unusual town of Waitnsee, Willy is burdened with a terrible secret. Lost in life with no family that he can trust, the homeless men of the Union Mission become the family he needs. These homeless and hungry men, particularly the aged and legless Elmer, help Willy to put aside the pain of his secret and find a new way of looking at the world around him. The light of the cross on the Mission's roof, and the wail of trains that passed nearby on a regular basis, become anchors for Willy as he endures prejudice and poverty--and learns the power of forgiveness--while discovering his true calling in life. Set in Middle America during the Great Depression, during that period when the country was recovering from World War I while preparing for World War II, Deanna K. Klingel brings to life that awkward era of American History honestly and unapologetically. He heard the wail of the distant train whistle and started off in that direction, hoping it would be the right way back to the south side of town... He paused at the orange ramp in front of the Mission and looked down to read the hand-painted words on the sidewalk: "Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where brethren dwell as one! Psalm 133."
Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean
Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean, is a chapter book in the Time Twisters series by award-winning author Steve Sheinkin about what happens when a famous First Lady tires of life in the White House. Also check out Abraham Lincoln, Pro Wrestler! WARNING: DO NOT BELIEVE THE STORY YOU'RE ABOUT TO READ. Well, you can believe some of it. There is some real history. But also hijinks. Time travel. And famous figures setting off on adventures that definitely never happened--till now. Time is getting twisted, and it's up to two kids to straighten things out. Abraham Lincoln may have returned to history books, but other historical figures saw what he did--and now they know they can escape from their times, too. When Abigail Adams decides there's more to life than doing chores in the White House, she joins a crew of Caribbean pirates! Can siblings Abby and Doc set history straight? Or will they be the ones who need to be rescued? This title has Common Core Connections.
Gideon’s Call
Author Peter Leavell forges an unprecedented tale of tragedy and triumph amid the backdrop of the Civil War through the story of Tad, a very clever slave boy who comes of age as America's war reaches the sea islands of South Carolina. Tad's desire to better himself is obstructed by the color of his skin, until Northern soldiers force the evacuation of white plantation owners, setting 10,000 slaves free in a single day. These circumstances seem like a dream, except that the newly freed slaves have no money, no education, and little hope for the future-unless someone rises up to lead them. Based on true events, Gideon's Call is the dramatic tale of a young man who battles the shame of his past and faces the horrors of war and unimaginable prejudice to become the deliverer of thousands of freed slaves
The Spacesuit
An inspirational true-story about the a group of seamstresses who designed the spacesuit for the first men to walk on the Moon! "Ellie's team was small, and they only had six weeks. Many believed that the seamstresses could never win. But Ellie ignored them and set to work." Inspired by true events, The Spacesuit tells the story of Ellie, a seamstress tasked with creating a new spacesuit for the Apollo 11 moon landing. After emerging as the underdogs in a multi-company competition, Ellie's team works hard to win! Follow Ellie as she uses impressive knowledge to solve the issue of clunky, uncomfortable spacesuits. The perfect book for young children interested in space exploration and women in history. Alison Donald expertly weaves facts into the story to keep young readers engaged. Including a glossary of key terms, this book is a fun learning tool for 3-6 year olds.
Mystery of the Egyptian Temple
KID DETECTIVE ZET: It's The World's Favorite Way To Learn About Ancient Egypt!Love this book!!!! - Tassa DeSalada, Amazon Reviewer ★★★★★In a golden era of pyramids live two young detectives. This is their adventure.12-year-old Zet has a mystery on his hands. There's trouble in the kingdom. An important person has vanished into thin air. Zet is sure he can dig up clues. He needs to get down to business, fast. The problem? His best friend, Hui, wants to help. Hui loves joking around and things are bound to turn messy! The boys set sail down the Nile to a temple construction site. But with a suspicious boat captain on their tail, playing spy won't be easy. Soon they're escaping into dusty pyramid chambers, past columns covered in hieroglyphics, through a mysterious land of gold and majesty that the world has never forgotten. Join Zet and Hui in this fun and exciting mystery, perfect for all kids ages 9-12.What kids are saying: "I am 11 years old. I could not put this book down."What parents are saying: "has reread them more than once!"What teachers are saying: "students ask to borrow the book."From the creator of over 300 museum and science center exhibits worldwide comes a story for kids that brings ancient civilizations and Egyptian mythology to life.Perfect for all young explorers enchanted by ancient Egypt, home to pyramids and tombs, mummies, the Sphinx, Cleopatra, King Tut, and a pantheon of fascinating gods.Grab your detective hat, pack your bags, and join Zet on an educational quest that's as thrilling as it is enlightening! It's The World's Favorite Way To Learn About Ancient Egypt!
Quest for the Fountain of Youth
It was in July 1502 when the sailing ship El Dorado, laden with plundered treasures, was making a return trip to Spain from Santo Domingo. The El Dorado was thought to have perished in the dark depths of the Mona Passage during the worst-recorded hurricane in history-one with winds of incredible strength and a tumultuous, angry sea of towering waves. Juan Perez, a survivor of that shipwreck, was held captive in Florida for nineteen years by the long-lost tribe of Calusa Indians. He endured torture, war, inhumane treatment and witnessed acts of cannibalism . . . and eventually fell in love with King Senequne's daughter, Tepe. This is the story of Juan's eventual escape and rescue . . . and the sacred Vid, the true Fountain of Youth, that his mentor, Ponce de Leon, had long dreamed of finding. But along with the Vid came the human curse of greed that endangered the lives of any who possessed it.
The Rhino in Right Field
"Laugh-out-loud fun...A winner in every way." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Funny and good-hearted." --Publishers Weekly A boy who loves baseball must get past his hard-working immigrant parents--and the rhino in the outfield--to become a batboy in this laugh-out-loud middle grade novel in the tradition of The Sandlot. Nick wants to change his life. For twelve years, he's done what his hard-working, immigrant parents want him to do. Now he's looking for his own American dream and he thinks he's found it. The local baseball team is having a batboy contest, and Nick wants to win. But the contest is on a Saturday--the day Nick has to work in his father's shop. There's one other tiny--well, not so tiny--problem. A 2,000-pound rhinoceros named Tank. Nick and his friends play ball in the city zoo--and Tank lives just beyond the right field fence. Nick's experience getting the ball out of Tank's pen has left him frozen with fear whenever a fly ball comes his way. How's a lousy fielder going to win the contest? Nick practices every day with his best friend, Ace, and a new girl who has an impressive throwing arm! But that's not enough--to get to the contest, Nick has to lie to his parents and blackmail his uncle. All while dodging the school bully, who's determined to win even by playing dirty. Nick will need to keep his eye on the ball in this fast, funny story about a game that can throw you some curveballs--just like life!
A Place to Belong
A Kirkus Reviews Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 A Japanese-American family, reeling from their ill treatment in the Japanese internment camps, gives up their American citizenship to move back to Hiroshima, unaware of the devastation wreaked by the atomic bomb in this piercing look at the aftermath of World War II by Newbery Medalist Cynthia Kadohata. World War II has ended, but while America has won the war, twelve-year-old Hanako feels lost. To her, the world, and her world, seems irrevocably broken. America, the only home she's ever known, imprisoned then rejected her and her family--and thousands of other innocent Americans--because of their Japanese heritage, because Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan, the country they've been forced to move to, the country they hope will be the family's saving grace, where they were supposed to start new and better lives, is in shambles because America dropped bombs of their own--one on Hiroshima unlike any other in history. And Hanako's grandparents live in a small village just outside the ravaged city. The country is starving, the black markets run rampant, and countless orphans beg for food on the streets, but how can Hanako help them when there is not even enough food for her own brother? Hanako feels she could crack under the pressure, but just because something is broken doesn't mean it can't be fixed. Cracks can make room for gold, her grandfather explains when he tells her about the tradition of kintsukuroi--fixing broken objects with gold lacquer, making them stronger and more beautiful than ever. As she struggles to adjust to find her place in a new world, Hanako will find that the gold can come in many forms, and family may be hers.
A Northern Light
Now with a fresh new look and introduction, Jennifer Donnelly's astonishing, Printz Honor-winning debut--the story of a young woman's coming-of-age and the murder that rocked turn-of-the-century America. A Printz Award Honor Book"A contemporary classic. Jennifer Donnelly is the master of historical fiction!" ---Ruta Sepetys, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Carnegie MedalSixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey has a word for everything, and big dreams of being a writer but little hope of seeing them come true.With the fresh pain of her mother's death lingering over her and the only out from her impoverished life being marriage to the handsome but dull local rich boy, Maddie flees from her home. She takes a job at the Glenmore, where hotel guest Grace Brown entrusts her with the task of burning a secret bundle of letters. But when Grace's drowned body is fished from Big Moose Lake, Mattie discovers that the letters could reveal the grim truth behind a murder.Set in 1906 in the Adirondack Mountains, against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, this Printz Honor-winning coming-of-age novel effortlessly weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, and real, and wholly original.
The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate
The Frankenstein of the Apple Crate builds on a true archival discovery to imagine how the young Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin found the idea of Frankenstein. Since her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died shortly after she was born, the heroine grows up in a house haunted by loss. She and her father try to keep the mother's memory alive by talking about her famous exploits and revolutionary ideas, but as time passes Mary's fears overwhelm her. During one terrible night, she finds a wonderful book in her mom's papers and dreams of entering the fantasy. Set in faraway Syracuse, it tells of a kindly inventor named Frank矇nste簿n whose music-making robot sweeps people off their feet with melancholy melodies. Years later, that story comes back to mind during a story-telling competition. With the help of a ghost called Mother, Mary retells Frank矇nste簿n's story in a gothic vein, making the sweet machine into a murderous thug... and a legend is born.
General Lee and Santa Claus
General Lee and Santa Claus is a delightful children's Christmas book first published in 1867, a scant two years after the end of the War for Southern Independence. This is the story of three young Southern girls trying to understand why Santa Claus didn't visit the little Southern children during the four Christmases of the War. With the help of their auntie, they ponder this question one afternoon and finally write a letter to General Robert E. Lee, knowing he would be able to answer their question. They decide to put his answer, along with their dreams and other stories, into a book and give it to Santa Claus, so he could sell it for the benefit of the little Confederate children who had lost everything by the War.
Shakespeare's Lady
For centuries, readers have debated the identity of the mysterious and seductive Dark Lady in William Shakespeare's sonnets.Emilia Bassano - lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth, patron of the arts and the first woman to establish herself as a professional poet in England - could be the answer.Emilia Bassano is new to Queen Elizabeth's court and unschooled in its dangerous intrigues. She quickly catches the eye of Lord Hunsdon, the Queen's Lord Chamberlain, and becomes his mistress. When she falls pregnant, Hunsdon arranges a hasty marriage to her brutish cousin, the court musician, Alfonso Lanyer. However, it is through her unhappy marriage to Alfonso that Emilia manages to spend more and more time with the fascinating and elusive playwright, William Shakespeare.Time goes by and, despite all their better judgement, they fall in love. But the course of true love never did run smooth, and the Virgin Queen does not take lightly to her ladies straying. These star-crossed lovers must fight for their love -- and, eventually, their lives.
Wor Peter and Wor Percy & The Great War Adventure
Wor Peter and Wor Percy & The Great War Adventure. Ridley's had enough of great adventures. The last one nearly cost him his life. Now he never ventures far from the safety of his rock on Lord Ridley's Blagdon Estate. So when his friend, Percy the stallion, declares he's going on an adventure, Ridley is horrified. Reluctantly he travels a little way with Percy to wave him a fond farewell, but then fate deals the cat a cruel blow. To the men of the Northumberland Hussars, Ridley has become their lucky mascot. They rename him Peter-the-Rock, determined that he'll travel with them all the way. The adventure turns out to be a war, bloody and terrifying. Men find the courage they never knew they had as they fight to protect the ones they love. Peter realizes, to save his friend Percy and bring them both safely home, it's time for a cowardly cat to find the courage he thought he'd lost forever.
Tudor Rose
In 16th-century England, two teenage best friends find themselves on an exciting journey from the country to the Queen's court in the hope of being named ladies-in-waiting. But Sybille and Rose soon discover they aren't the only girls who have their sights set on attending Her Majesty. The girls must compete against worldly and cunning opponents, among them mean-girl Avis and her entourage of back-stabbing co-horts, tipping the balance in their already-tenuous friendship. Soon, the grand hall is more like the hallway of a prestigious finishing school, with girls fighting for the attention of a dashing, young earl, amid parties fueled by drinking and indiscriminate dalliances. As the tension between Sybille and Avis heats up, the focus on Rose wanes, allowing her to turn her attention to more important matters - like getting close enough to the Queen to learn her secrets. But being close to the Queen is not without its challenges. And when rumors of Rose's influence make their way around the castle, no one, not even the Queen, will be safe.
The Upstairs Room
Newbery Honor Book - ALA Notable Book - An SLJ Best Book - A Jane Addams Award Honor Book - Winner of the Jewish Book Council Children's Book AwardA classic WWII survivor story based on award-winning author Johanna Reiss's own childhood during the Holocaust. Now with a beautiful new cover and revised author's note.When the German army occupied Holland in 1940, Annie was only eight years old. Because she was Jewish, the occupation put her in grave danger. Most people thought the war wouldn't last long, but Annie knew that if she wanted to stay alive, she would have to go into hiding.Fortunately, a Gentile family, the Oostervelds, offered refuge to Annie and her older sister, Sini. For two years they hid in the cramped upstairs room of the Oostervelds's remote farmhouse. There, Annie and Sini would struggle to hold on to hope--separated from their family and confined to one tiny room--as a frightful and seemingly endless war raged on outside their window.This classic autobiographical novel is a strong choice for classroom sharing and independent reading.
Witness
Newbery Medalist Karen Hesse immerses readers in a small Vermont town in 1924 with this haunting and harrowing tale.Witness joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!Leanora Sutter. Esther Hirsh. Merlin Van Tornhout. Johnny Reeves...These characters are among the unforgettable cast inhabiting a small Vermont town in 1924. A town that turns against its own when the Ku Klux Klan moves in. No one is safe, especially the two youngest, twelve-year-old Leanora, an African American girl, and six-year-old Esther, who is Jewish.In this story of a community on the brink of disaster, told through the haunting and impassioned voices of its inhabitants, Newbery Award winner Karen Hesse takes readers into the hearts and minds of those who bear witness.
Number the Stars
As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen's family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war. Winner of the 1990 Newbery Medal.
Fatechanger
"It's like a good drama, things just keep rolling and you kind of fall in love with the characters. I can't wait for part two." -Avalinah's BooksWhen fourteen-year-old Penelope Clark accidentally travels through time to 1915 Boston, she must disguise herself first as a pickpocket and then as a newsboy, learning how to thieve, fight, and broadcast headlines to survive in an era before antibiotics and open-heart surgeries.Stuck in the past with no way to get home, Penn makes her first friend ever, and many enemies. But when Penn is robbed, and the pickpockets kidnap the head newsboy, she finds herself stuck in the middle of a dangerous rivalry, questioning her loyalties to either side and to herself.After a violent fistfight with a fellow pickpocket, Penn incurs a life-threatening infection. As her supposed enemy nurses her back to health-discovering she's a girl and befriending her in the process-Penn realizes that someone else must have betrayed her. Her ensuing investigation reveals not only the truth of her betrayer's identity but also her own.
War-Torn Heart
Abigail Walker, a young woman from rural South Carolina, is on the cusp of womanhood, aching to be able to run wild as the younger children do, yet yearning for things she has yet to understand. Awkward and unsure of herself, Abby is flustered when she meets Harvey Nicholas, the nephew of a family at her church and a cadet from Clemson College. As summer begins, Abby finds herself constantly in the company of Harvey and falling quickly in love with him. As rumors of war begin to reach the States, Abby begins to fear what may come for her older brother and Harvey. Once Pearl Harbor is bombed, the boys are eager to protect their home and the women they love. But will Abby and Harvey's love be able to withstand distance, rumors, loss, and hurt? Or will the war be what tears apart Abby's heart? War-Torn Heart is a Kleenex-box book with a story of hope, of love, and of perseverance through World War II, which will make the reader cry, scream, and long for more.
The Ride of Molly Tynes
When Molly Tynes learns of an impending attack on a neighboring town, she mounts her horse without hesitation, risking life and limb to warn and protect her community. Four mountains, rough trails, and wild animals stand between Molly and her journey's end. Through this legendary tale of a courageous Civil War-era woman, the storytelling tradition of Southwest Virginia lives on.
Between Before and After
A mother being dragged ever deeper into the icy waters of depression. A daughter who finds a devastating secret about a shadowy past buried in her mom's dresser. And the key to unlocking a long-hidden family mystery that could save or destroy much more than their two lives. Fourteen-year-old Molly worries about school, friends, and her parents' failed marriage, but mostly about her mother Elaine's growing depression. Molly knows her mother, who shuts herself off from human connections and instead buries herself in the lives and deaths of the strangers she writes about, is nursing her own carefully-kept secret. But in Elaine's raw and fragile state, Molly knows not to pry too deeply. Until her Uncle Stephen is thrust into the limelight because of his miracle cure of a young man and her mother can no longer hide behind other people's stories. As Molly digs into her mother's past, she finds a secret hidden in her mother's dresser that may be the key to unlocking a family mystery dating to 1918 New York--a secret that could save or destroy their future. Between Before and After is: A riveting YA story told in dual narratives during the flu epidemic in 1918 New York City and 1955 San Jose, CaliforniaAn historical coming-of-age novel about the complex bonds between mothers and daughters.Written by award-winning poet, novelist, and teacher Maureen McQuerryPerfect for fans of Ruta Sepetys and Laurie Halse Anderson
I Survived: Ten Thrilling Stories (Boxed Set)
History's most exciting and terrifying events come to life in these ten books in the New York Times bestselling I Survived series.When disaster strikes, heroes are made.A collectible box set of ten books in the bestselling I Survived series from author Lauren Tarshis! This set includes paperback editions of these books: I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011With relatable characters and riveting plotlines, the I Survived books are perfect for reluctant readers or any young reader who enjoys an action packed, page turning thriller. Each book also contains several pages of nonfiction content, encouraging readers to further explore the historical topic.
The Adventures of Grandma Mimi and Her Boys
The Adventures of Grandma Mimi and Her Boys resulted from the numerous trips taken with her grandchildren. Upon reading newspaper articles about the latest openings of zoos, museums, and citywide events, Grandma was calling her grandchildren for a day of fun events. The metropolitan area and outskirts had many adventures to explore. As always, Grandma Mimi was always reading and ready to go. Traveling by bus, subway, or railroad was a learning experience in itself. The children developed a wide range of interactions with many people. They had fun buying commuter tickets, fares, and entry passes to various events. They even experienced the street vendors and their wares. It was always family fun, fast-moving, and with great love and concern for each other.
The Oregon Trail
Winner of Purple Dragonfly Book AwardEndorsed by OCTA, End of The Trail Interpretive Center, WyoHist.orgThe story of the Oregon Trail is a fascinating American adventure.Who better to narrate the story of the Oregon Trail than the arrogant but lovable ox pulling his family in a covered wagon from Missouri to Oregon in 1843?Ollie Ox, and his yoke mate, Herb, describe quite an adventure as they cross vast expanses of rugged, inhospitable wilderness and treacherous, rushing rivers in extreme weather and constantly changing conditions. The Westward Migration along the Oregon Trail during the 19th century is one of the most important events in American history. It is estimated that 500,000 people made the trek from Missouri to Oregon. Of that number, about 40,000 were children. Book includes: maplists of supplies neededspellbinding adventures of climbing & descending steep hills and dangerous river crossings and meeting and trading with various Indian tribes.Ollie Ox narrates the story in a manner emphasizing traits such as responsibility, loyalty, tenacity, and commitment. And he accomplishes all of this while making the reader smile. Quite a feat for a 2000 pound ox.Beautiful color illustrations, photographs, and paintings bring the Oregon Trail and the beauty of the American West to life.(Winner of Purple Dragonfly Book Award Endorsed by OCTA, Oregon-California Trails Association Endorsed by The End of The Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City and WyoHist.org)Website: ChildrensBooksByMelanie.com (no apostrophe in childrens)
La ladrona de libros/ The Book Thief
TIMES 2020, los 100 mejores libros juveniles de todos los tiempos Una novela preciosa, tremendamente humana y emocionante, que describe las peripecias de una ni簽a alemana de nueve a簽os desde que es dada en adopci籀n por su madre hasta el final de la II Guerra Mundial. ?rase una vez un pueblo donde las noches eran largas y la muerte contaba su propia historia. En el pueblo viv穩a una ni簽a que quer穩a leer, un hombre que tocaba el acorde籀n y un joven jud穩o que escrib穩a bellos cuentos para escapar del horror de la guerra. Al cabo de un tiempo, la ni簽a se convirti籀 en una ladrona que robaba libros y regalaba palabras. Con estas palabras se escribi籀 una historia hermosa y cruel que ahora ya es una novela inolvidable. No te pierdas El puente de Clay, la primera novela de Markus Zusak desde La ladrona de libros.ENGLISH DESCRIPTIONTIMES 2020 100 Best YA of All Times The extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller that is now a major motion picture, Markus Zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. When Death has a story to tell, you listen. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. "The kind of book that can be life-changing." --The New York Times "Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank." --USA Today
Betty Before X
Betty Before X is a powerful middle-grade fictionalized account of the childhood activism of Betty Shabazz, Malcolm X's wife, written by their daughter Ilyasah Shabazz. In Detroit, 1945, eleven-year-old Betty's house doesn't quite feel like home. She believes her mother loves her, but she can't shake the feeling that her mother doesn't want her. Church helps those worries fade, if only for a little while. The singing, the preaching, the speeches from guest activists like Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall stir African Americans in her community to stand up for their rights. Betty quickly finds confidence and purpose in volunteering for the Housewives League, an organization that supports black-owned businesses. Soon, the American civil rights icon we now know as Dr. Betty Shabazz is born. Inspired by Betty's real life--but expanded upon and fictionalized through collaboration with novelist Ren矇e Watson--Ilyasah Shabazz illuminates four poignant years in her mother's childhood with this book, painting an inspiring portrait of a girl overcoming the challenges of self-acceptance and belonging that will resonate with young readers today. Backmatter included. "[T]his moving fictional account of the early life of the late civil rights leader and widow of Malcolm X draws on the recollections of family and friends. The result is a heart-rending imagining of Shabazz's personal challenges as well as a rare, intimate look at the complex roots of the American civil rights movement. A personal, political and powerful imagining of the early life of the late activist." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Absorbing . . . History comes alive in this illuminating portrayal of the early life of this civil rights activist." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "An excellent work of historical fiction that will illuminate and spark discussion." --School Library Journal, starred review
The Oregon Trail
The story of the Oregon Trail is a fascinating American adventure.Who better to narrate the story of the Oregon Trail than the arrogant but lovable ox pulling his family in a covered wagon from Missouri to Oregon in 1843? Ollie Ox, and his yoke mate, Herb, describe quite an adventure as they cross vast expanses of rugged, inhospitable wilderness and treacherous, rushing rivers in extreme weather and constantly changing conditions. The Westward Migration along the Oregon Trail during the 19th century is one of the most important events in American history. It is estimated that 500,000 people made the trek from Missouri to Oregon. Of that number, about 40,000 were children. Book includes: maplists of supplies neededspellbinding adventures of climbing & descending steep hills, dangerous river crossings and meeting and trading with various Indian tribes.Ollie Ox narrates the story in a manner emphasizing traits such as responsibility, loyalty, tenacity, and commitment. And he accomplishes all of this while making the reader smile. Quite a feat for a 2000 pound ox.Beautiful color illustrations, photographs, and paintings bring the Oregon Trail and the beauty of the American West to life.Reviewed and endorsed by The Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA), the End of the Trail Interpretive Center and Museum in Oregon City, and WyoHistory.org. (First Place Winner of the Purple Dragonfly Book Award for Historical Fiction (2019). Endorsed by OCTA, Oregon-California Trails Association, The End of The Trail Interpretive Center in Oregon City and WyoHist.org)Website: ChildrensBooksByMelanie.com (no apostrophe in childrens)
Susanna's Midnight Ride
THE REVOLUTION RESTS IN HER HANDS As the former Colonies struggle for freedom, the American Revolution is in the hands of a brave and resourceful teenage girl. At sixteen, Susanna Bolling is like America in rebellion -- she craves independence. While her brothers are off fighting for the Patriots, she longs to do more than tedious household chores and attend spinning bees in sleepy City Point, Virginia. When British General Cornwallis invades her family's Bollingbrook Plantation, she overhears his secret plan to defeat the Patriots. Much to her shock, she finds herself at the center of the war. Now America's fight for liberty hinges on her. But can she overcome her mother's objections, face her own fears, and outwit the famed General and his entire Army? The true story of revolutionary courage and conviction that's sure to captivate readers of all ages.
Among the Red Stars
A suspenseful historical YA debut inspired by the true story of an all-female bomber unit in Russia during World War II.World War II has erupted in Valka's homeland of Russia, and Valka is determined to help the effort. She's a pilot--and a good one--so she eagerly joins an all-female bomber regiment. Flying has always meant freedom and exhilaration for Valka, but dropping bombs on German targets is something else entirely. The raids are dangerous, but as Valka watches her fellow pilots putting everything on the line in the face of treachery, she learns the true meaning of bravery. As the war intensifies, though, and those around her fall, Valka must decide how much she is willing to risk to defend the skies she once called home. Inspired by the true story of a famous all-female Russian bomber regiment, Gwen C. Katz weaves a tale of strength and sacrifice, of learning to fight for yourself, and of the perils of a world at war.
The Yankee Present
Thomas Hanner Lyle, like so many other southerners, finds himself embroiled in a war that will change his life forever. As a Confederate soldier, he fights in battle while trying to retain his humanity and not damn his soul. During in-between times, he tries to find the beauty in life beneath the shade of cottonwoods by breezy riverbeds. An incident in battle ushers Thomas from the rank of private to sergeant, but the glory is short-lived as he is soon wounded. He gets help from a woman who reminds him so much of his wife, Jenny. In and out of consciousness, he flashbacks to his safe, happy life in Tennessee and makes it his mission to return home to his beloved-but will war let him go so easily?
The Yankee Present
Thomas Hanner Lyle, like so many other southerners, finds himself embroiled in a war that will change his life forever. As a Confederate soldier, he fights in battle while trying to retain his humanity and not damn his soul. During in-between times, he tries to find the beauty in life beneath the shade of cottonwoods by breezy riverbeds. An incident in battle ushers Thomas from the rank of private to sergeant, but the glory is short-lived as he is soon wounded. He gets help from a woman who reminds him so much of his wife, Jenny. In and out of consciousness, he flashbacks to his safe, happy life in Tennessee and makes it his mission to return home to his beloved-but will war let him go so easily?
Sarah the Bold
African American Sarah Osborne, a 21st century resident of Guilford, Connecticut, celebrates her eleventh birthday. She is angry and disappointed when the gift she receives from her father is a colonial doll instead of the roller blades she anticipated. In the privacy of her bedroom she names the doll Miss Prickle and pledges never to love her like her others. She slams the doll against her bedroom door and is magically transported to the year 1765--a time she knows only through history books. When Sarah awakens on the Guilford town green, she is mistaken for a runaway slave. Follow Sarah on her journey as she meets a renowned American figure, endures racial hatred and cruelty, and strives to make sense of her new life in pre-revolutionary America.
The Circus Thief
2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Children's Picture Book (Illustrative 6 Years of Age and Up) 2019 American Fiction Awards, Children's Fiction: Winner 2019 American Fiction Awards, Children's Picture Book: Hardcover Fiction: Finalist "The circus is bursting with amazing sights and sounds, from clowns and elephants to a lady with a beard, in The Circus Thief, a delightfully nostalgic tale of compassion, kindness, and generosity." --Foreword Clarion Reviews The circus is in town, and Georgie has his heart set on going. When Papa agrees to take him and his friend Harley, the boys marvel at the amazing elephants and clowns. But the best act of all is the amazing Roxie, a trained horse who can do all sorts of tricks. When Georgie is invited to ride on her back, he discovers it's her last show--Roxie is going to be sent to the work farm! When Roxie bolts with Georgie on her back, Papa must come to his rescue. The Circus Thief is a heartwarming tale of boyhood set in 1920s Pennsylvania for children ages 4-8.
The Shoemaker's Splendid Lamp
The shoemaker lives in a small cottage with his large family. Every day he toils away, making boots so his family can eat. The shoemaker's sickly youngest son, Aron, often sits beside him. The doctor has warned the shoemaker that little Aron might not live long enough to see next summer. The shoemaker longs to make more shoes to feed his family, but the cottage gets so dark, he must stop working before the sun goes down. One day the shoemaker and Aron spot something at the market--a beautiful oil lamp! Can the splendid lamp help the shoemaker--and save little Aron?
Raspberry Red
Late one autumn, Aino's father sets off on the road with the other village men. Little Aino doesn't quite understand why. During the cold winter days, scary noises start to echo from the nearby forest. The family is forced to leave their home, their own village shop, and Aino's playhouse. They leave for the train station in such a hurry that Aino can hardly keep up with the others. Near the playhouse, the eyes of the child and a foreign soldier meet. When Aino escapes, her rag doll's raspberry red apron is left behind in the snow.
The Afrikan Feral Cats of Sullivan’s Island
This is a story drenched in history. A children's book that tells the incredible tale of three courageous Sierra Leone feral cats stowed away on a notorious slave ship. A slave ship destined for the small barrier island of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.A fictional story based on actual historic events, the narrative provides an unprecedented perspective of an animals' view of slavery.My hope is that this little book could be a vehicle in which a conversation on this most difficult subject, slavery, could begin with our young ones.
The Afrikan Feral Cats of Sullivan’s Island
This is a story drenched in history. A children's book that tells the incredible tale of three courageous Sierra Leone feral cats stowed away on a notorious slave ship. A slave ship destined for the small barrier island of Sullivan's Island, South Carolina.A fictional story based on actual historic events, the narrative provides an unprecedented perspective of an animals' view of slavery.My hope is that this little book could be a vehicle in which a conversation on this most difficult subject, slavery, could begin with our young ones.
Berserker
The highly anticipated historical fantasy from Emmy Laybourne, author of the internationally-bestselling Monument 14 trilogy.Ancient powers. Strong love. Desperate times. 1883. Hanne would give anything to be free of the ancestral Viking curse that overcomes her when she or anyone she loves is in danger. She becomes a Berserker--an elegant, graceful and shameless killer. When she kills three men attacking their father, Hanne and her siblings must flee Norway and head to the American frontier, on a desperate search for their uncle, the one man who can help Hanne learn to control her powers. A gripping and emotional story filled with adventure, destruction, longing and redemption. "Berserker is a triumph, introducing a wholly-new breed of Viking superhero. It's a completely winning, romantic, and heart-wrenching historical fantasy. Your pulse will race from page one of this rich, rugged adventure of a book." --Alyson No禱l, New York Times-bestselling author of The Immortals series "[Hanne's] internal struggle with her brutal nature as a berserker is intensely real and will resonate with readers who feel beset by forces outside of their control. A bloody and fast-paced genre mash-up." --Publishers Weekly
Grenade
Here it is! The hugely anticipated follow-up to Gratz's NYT bestselling, critically acclaimed phenomenon REFUGEE. This is another searing and heart-pounding look at kids making their way through war.A New York Times bestseller!It's 1945, and the world is in the grip of war.Hideki lives on the island of Okinawa, near Japan. When WWII crashes onto his shores, Hideki is drafted into the Blood and Iron Student Corps to fight for the Japanese army. He is handed a grenade and a set of instructions: Don't come back until you've killed an American soldier.Ray, a young American Marine, has just landed on Okinawa. He doesn't know what to expect -- or if he'll make it out alive. He just knows that the enemy is everywhere.Hideki and Ray each fight their way across the island, surviving heart-pounding ambushes and dangerous traps. But when the two of them collide in the middle of the battle, the choices they make in that instant will change everything.From the acclaimed author of Refugee comes this high-octane story of how fear can tear us apart, and how hope can tie us back together.
The Gatsby Kids and the Queen of the Nile
An ancient Egyptian pendant with a mysterious symbol.A ruthless queen who likes to poison her slaves.Three kids from Dayton, Ohio.What could go wrong?Constance, Ernest, and George Gatsby try to help their father unravel the mystery of a mysterious pendant by traveling back in time to the sands of ancient Egypt.While in the royal palace, the pharaoh Cleopatra mistakes Constance for a prophet. She threatens that Constance must tell her the future or else she will poison Ernest and George. As time is running out, Constance makes an unexpected discovery that deepens the mystery of the Gatsby Kids' time-traveling abilities.
Sara Hatun
Sara Hatun comes from the Kayi Tribe and is the daughter of its Master Suleyman Shah. But what will save her from being caught by the temple guards, from being locked up in Aleppos kings palace, or from losing one of the closest people to her heart? There is only one solution!
The Snuggly House
When Grandma calls her three grandchildren for a story, she tells them about a special, snuggly house. It is a solid, gentle home that protects its owners and remembers the love, sadness, and joy that happen inside its walls. As it gets older, though, it falls into disrepair. The roof is leaking, and everything is a big mess. The house is no longer strong and snuggly, and it is very sad; it misses being loved and needed. Finally, the house is left empty and for sale. Most people who come to see it only see the flaws and the mess. Will the house ever find a family to fix it up and make it beautiful again? In this childrens story, a grandmother tells the story of a special house that needs a family to love it and care for itas well as the connection that house has to her family.
Dust of Eden
CCBC Choices 2015 One of 25 of the best new middle grade novels, The Christian Science Monitor Best Older Fiction of 2014, Chicago Public Library 2016 Arnold Adoff New Voices Poetry Award, Honor Book What do you do when your country goes to war--and everyone thinks you're the enemy? "We lived under a sky so blue in Idaho right near the towns of Hunt and Eden but we were not welcomed there." In early 1942, thirteen-year-old Mina Masako Tagawa and her Japanese-American family are sent from their home in Seattle to an internment camp in Idaho. What do you do when your home country treats you like an enemy? This memorable and powerful novel in verse, written by award-winning author Mariko Nagai, explores the nature of fear, the value of acceptance, and the beauty of life. As thought-provoking as it is uplifting, Dust of Eden is told with an honesty that is both heart-wrenching and inspirational.
Just Imagine...What If There Were No Black People in the World?
In the first of book of the series, Just Imagine...What If There Were No Black People in the World? Jaxon, a 4th grader, discovers that the necklace his grandmother gave him before she passed away has magical powers. With the magical necklace and saying the magic words, 'just imagine', he can see and talk with African American inventors and scientists. Jaxon is also playing the role of Dr. Martin Luther King in the school play in celebration of Black History Month. However, Jaxon stutters when he is in front of a crowd and when he meets new people. He hopes he can find a way to overcome his problem with stuttering before the day of the play.Jaxon learns that his sister had the necklace before Jaxon and shares the rules of the necklace. She tells him that he can only use the necklace three times in a month; he will only be able to use the necklace until he is 16; never take off the necklace and be careful what he wishes for.After Jaxon makes his second wish, he learns what his sister meant when she said to be careful what he wishes for. Can Jaxon get out of his mess before his parents find out? Does he bomb on the day of the play?Jaxon will learn that sometimes you can overcome a problem if you don't spend a lot of time worrying about it.
The Preacher of Cedar Mountain
"The Preacher of Cedar Mountain" Is a 1917 novel by Ernest Thompson Seton that tells the wonderful story of Jim Hartigan, an extremely good horseman who becomes a preacher to fulfil his mother's dream for him. The majority of the story concerns his various travails and vicissitudes along the road to realising this dream. A masterwork of classic fiction, this volume will appeal to fans of vintage American literature and it is not to be missed by those who have read and enjoyed other works by this author. Ernest Thompson Seton (1860 - 1946) was an English-born Canadian author and wildlife artist who founded the Woodcraft Indians in 1902. He was also among the founding members of the Boy Scouts of America, established in 1910. He wrote profusely on this subject, the most notable of his scouting literature including "The Birch Bark Roll" and the "Boy Scout Handbook". Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.
Michigan History Nightmares
Christmas is fast approaching and with it the exciting anticipation of magical surprises. But when Katie, Nick, Gary, Helena, and Zach log onto the new Tri-Con Dynamics quantum computers, their surprises are anything but magical. The five children are excited to be the first test group to determine whether the new Tri-Con Dynamics quantum computers are kid friendly. When they boot up the computers, mysterious drawers next to the USB ports slide open, revealing black rings trimmed in silver. An onscreen message instructs the children to wear the ring at all times while interacting with the computers. But when the students begin their research, something truly shocking happens. Catapulted back in time, the group finds themselves trapped in a parallel universe where ghosts from the past become their Michigan history teachers. As the five travelers encounter terrifying challenges, including quicksand and cannonballs, they discover the pen that was supposed to take them back to their own time isn't responding. Who-or what-is in control of their future? In this novel, five students testing new quantum computers find themselves transported into a parallel universe, where they learn the history of their state and face unexpected dangers.
