Dear Miss Karana
While reading Island of the Blue Dolphins at school and learning about the real woman stranded on San Nicol獺s Island, ten-year-old T穩shmal begins writing emails to "Miss Karana" in hopes of talking to her spirit. When she arrived on the mainland of Southern California, Miss Karana spoke a language that no one could understand even back then, and all that remains is a recording of the song she sang when she was found on the island. T穩shmal realizes that some of the words sound very similar to Chamt矇ela (Luise簽o), the language spoken on her reservation. As she writes to Miss Karana, T穩shmal becomes more and more resolved to understand the lone woman's song. The only person able to help her is a grouchy great uncle, W矇h Pow矇eya ("two tongues"), the last living person fluent in the language of their ancestors from the belly button of the ocean: the islands including San Nicol獺s. Together, T穩shmal and W矇h Pow矇eya must discover what the lone woman said long ago in order to help her spirit finish the journey West.First written in Chamt矇ela and developed in accordance with fourth grade Common Core State Standards, Dear Miss Karana tells a compelling story of family, determination, and cultural perseverance.
A Medal for Leroy
When Michael's aunt passes away, she leaves behind a letter that will change everything. It starts with Michael's grandfather Leroy, a black officer in World War I who charged into a battle zone not once but three times to save wounded men. His fellow soldiers insisted he deserved special commendations for his bravery but because of the racial barriers, he would go unacknowledged. Now it's up to Michael to change that. Inspired by the true story of Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British army, award-winning author Michael Morpurgo delivers a richly layered and memorable story of identity, history, and family.
The War That Saved My Life
* Newbery Honor Book* #1 New York Times Bestseller* Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award * Forbes 25 Top Historical Fiction Books Of All Time selection * Wall Street Journal Best Children's Books of the Year selection* New York Public Library's 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War II, from the acclaimed author of Fighting Words, and for fans of Fish in a Tree and Number the Stars. Ten-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada's twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn't waste a minute--she sneaks out to join him. So begins a new adventure for Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan--and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother? This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity--a classic in the making. "Achingly lovely...Nuanced and emotionally acute."--The Wall Street Journal"Unforgettable...unflinching."--Common Sense Media "Touching...Emotionally charged." --Forbes★ "Brisk and honest...Cause for celebration." --Kirkus, starred review★ "Poignant."--Publishers Weekly, starred review★ "Powerful."--The Horn Book, starred review"Affecting."--Booklist"Emotionally satisfying...[A] page-turner."--BCCB"Exquisitely written...Heart-lifting." --SLJ"Astounding...This book is remarkable."--Karen Cushman, author The Midwife's Apprentice"Beautifully told."--Patricia MacLachlan, author of Sarah, Plain and Tall"I read this novel in two big gulps."--Gary D. Schmidt, author of Okay for Now"I love Ada's bold heart...Her story's riveting."--Sheila Turnage, author of Three Times Lucky
Navigating Early
"Just the sort of book that saves lives by igniting a passion for reading." --James Patterson "Reminiscent of Huckleberry Finn." --The Wall Street Journal A Michael L. Printz Honor Winner From the author of Newbery Medal winner Moon Over Manifest comes the odyssey-like adventure of two boys' incredible quest on the Appalachian Trail. When Jack Baker's father sends him from his home in Kansas to attend a boys' boarding school in Maine, Jack doesn't know what to expect. Certainly not Early Auden, the strangest of boys. Early keeps to himself, reads the number pi as a story, and refuses to accept truths others take for granted. Jack, feeling lonely and out of place, connects with Early, and the two become friends. During a break from school, the boys set out for the Appalachian Trail on a quest for a great black bear. As Jack and Early travel deeper into the mountains, they meet peculiar and dangerous characters, and they make some shocking discoveries. But their adventure is only just beginning. Will Jack's and Early's friendship last the journey? Can the boys make it home alive? An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book A New York Times Editor's Choice A New York Times Bestseller An Indie Pick A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice Selection A BookPage Best Children's Book A Texas Lone Star Reading List SelectionA Notable Children's Book in Language Arts BookA Down East Magazine Best of Maine BookA North Carolina Young Adult Book Award Master List SelectionAn Iowa Children's Choice Award Finalist
Meyers’ Creek
Updated, with a whole new chapter! A compelling story of the true experiences of a United Empire Loyalist family during a critical period of Canadian history. Mary Meyers is typical of any nineteen-year-old. She longs for adventure -- and for freedom to live her own life. But in the year 1786, the realities that face newly settled United Empire Loyalist families like Mary's are often harsh. In this continuation of the Meyers family saga that began with the author's first novel, Flight, Mary must come to terms with danger, the survival of her family, and love.
Number the Stars
The unforgettable Newbery Medal-winning novel from Lois Lowry. 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.This anniversary edition contains a new introduction from Lois Lowry.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.A modern classic of historical fiction, Number the Stars has won generations of fans and continues to speak to today's readers. Jessica Grose wrote in a November 2022 New York Times essay entitled "This Perfect Mother-Daughter Read Holds a Powerful Lesson for Fighting Antisemitism" "Number the Stars is particularly relevant to our family, and to this moment."As School Library Journal put it: "Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery."
Shooting at the Stars
Discover the incredible true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 in this award-winning picture book from author and illustrator John Hendrix. Shooting at the Stars is the moving story of a young British soldier on the front lines during World War I who experiences an unforgettable Christmas Eve. In a letter to his mother, he describes how, despite fierce fighting earlier from both sides, Allied and German soldiers ceased firing that evening and came together on the battlefield to celebrate the holiday. They sang carols, exchanged gifts, and even lit Christmas trees. But as the holiday came to a close, they returned to their separate trenches to await orders for the war to begin again. Award-wining creator John Hendrix wonderfully brings the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 to life with his signature style, interweaving detailed illustrations and hand-lettered text. His telling of the story celebrates the humanity that can persist during even the darkest periods of our history. "Hendrix crafts an intimate fictional account of the event . . . powerful images." --Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Rose Under Fire
Elizabeth Wein, author of the critically-acclaimed and best-selling Code Name Verity, delivers another stunning World War II thriller where a young female pilot will have to confront the realities of hope and bravery if she wants to survive capture. While ferrying an Allied fighter plane from Paris to England, American ATA pilot and amateur poet, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and sent to Ravensbr羹ck, the notorious women's concentration camp. There, she meets an unforgettable group of women, including a once glamorous French novelist; a resilient young Polish girl who has been used as a human guinea pig by Nazi doctors; and a female fighter pilot for the Soviet air force. Trapped in this bleak place under horrific circumstances, Rose finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery, and friendship of her fellow prisoners. But will that be enough to enable Rose to endure the fate that is in store for her? The unforgettable story of Rose Justice is forged from heart-wrenching courage, resolve, and the slim, bright chance of survival. **Don't miss Elizabeth Wein's stunning new novel, Stateless Praise for Rose Under Fire * "Wein masterfully sets up a stark contrast between the innocent American teen's view of an untarnished world and the realities of the Holocaust. [A]lthough the story's action follows [Code Name Verity]'s, it has its own, equally incandescent integrity. Rich in detail, from the small kindnesses of fellow prisoners to harrowing scenes of escape and the Nazi Doctors' Trial in Nuremburg, at the core of this novel is the resilience of human nature and the power of friendship and hope." --Kirkus, starred review * "Wein excels at weaving research seamlessly into narrative and has crafted another indelible story about friendship borne out of unimaginable adversity." --Publishers Weekly, starred review
I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, 79 A.d.
The beast beneath the mountain is restless...No one in the bustling city of Pompeii worries when the ground trembles beneath their feet. The beast under the mountain Vesuvius, high above the city, wakes up angry sometimes -- and always goes back to sleep.But Marcus is afraid. He knows something is terribly wrong -- and his father, who trusts science more than mythical beasts, agrees. When Vesuvius explodes into a cloud of fiery ash and rocks fall from the sky like rain, will they have time to escape -- and survive the epic destruction of Pompeii?
The Soldier’s Gift
"Everyone else is going," said Tom to Emily when their uncle was gone. "That's not a good reason," said Emily. Emily knows her big brother, Tom, wants to leave Hillside Farm and go overseas to the war, but Emily doesn't want him to go. The Soldier's Gift is a moving story of one family's courage and endurance during World War I, the terrible losses at Gallipoli, and a time that changed Australia forever.
Beowuff and the Dragon Raiders
Viking dog Beowuff is all bark and no bite, a disgrace to the memory of his fierce ancestors. Beowuff and his bench-mate Arnuf find themselves washed up at the Sine Carne monastery where a peace loving colony of 'meatless monks' work the earth and brew meat-free mead. But the bewildered brothers are under attack from a ruthless pack of Dragon raiders - thieving heathens with the sniff of monk-gold up their savage snouts. Will this day be Order's last? Beowuff might sound familiar to history lovers, because his character echoes the ancient hero Beowulf (1000 A.D.), who appears in one of the earliest recorded poems in Old English. The second episode of an ancient saga for ages 7+.
Holling Clancy Holling’s Stories from Many Lands
Filled with beautiful color illustrations, these three tenderhearted tales by a Caldecott honoree offer enchanting glimpses of foreign cultures. Little Big-Bye-and-Bye unfolds in a pueblo of the American Southwest, where an Indian boy longs for a pony. When he meets a stranger and his burro, the boy's pluck and daring help make his dream come true. Choo-Me-Shoo carries readers off to the Arctic Circle to meet an Eskimo family. The clan's adventures include getting stranded on an iceberg, making friends with a polar bear cub, catching fish through the ice, and encountering a ship in search of the North Pole. Rum-Tum-Tummy recounts the comeuppance of a naughty elephant whose ego is even bigger than his insatiable appetite. He spanks a warthog, rolls a hippo downhill, and performs other unkind pranks--but when he gets into trouble, the other animals rally to his rescue.
Private Peaceful and Other Adaptations
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo, Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp by Philip Pullman, The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson, all adapted by Simon Reade. Three rites-of-passage plays for the young person in all of us, brilliantly adapted from the books of three best-selling authors. In Michael Morpurgo's moving tale of youth cut short, seventeen year-old Tommo Peaceful relives his innocent rural past as he spends his last night in the trenches of World War One.In Philip Pullman's Aladdin, this ancient magical tale is retold as a story of ambition and self-advancement, a young man's journey from lazy good-for-nothing to great wealth and power.And in Jill Tomlinson's delightfully witty classic, a fledgling Barn Owl conquers his fears through a series of eye-opening encounters. These plays are for audiences of all ages.
Grandpa's Third Drawer
Of all the places in the world, Uri really loves to be at his grandparents' house. There he can stay up way past his bedtime and eat as many sweets from the chocolate box as he likes. There's only one forbidden place in that house: the third drawer in Grandpa's desk. This drawer is locked. No one ever opens it until one day when Uri finds the key to the third drawer. From that moment, nothing is ever the same.Grandpa's Third Drawer takes up the difficult challenge of discussing the Holocaust with young children, of teaching its heritage and memory, all in a gentle and unobtrusive manner. The story of a silent grandfather unexpectedly confronted by his curious and loving grandchild is accompanied by rich illustrations that show authentic preserved objects donated by Holocaust survivors from Theresienstadt. The original Hebrew edition won the Israeli Ze'ev Prize for Children's Literature in 2003 and won the first prize in Mits'ad Hasfarim (a nationwide survey of all schoolchildren in Israel for first to third grades) in 2003 and 2012. Grandpa's Third Drawer is now included in Israel's "Paths of Memory" nationwide Holocaust learning program in all schools.
Cleocatra's Kushion
In the fifth exciting adventure, the Son of Spartapuss (nicknamed 'SOS' for short) visits Rome and falls in love with a female with the most beautiful name he has ever heard. He invites the fair Haireena on a date to the Emperor's unfinished Golden Palace. But things get off to a shaky start when the pair are discovered by the cruel emperor Nero, who decides that Haireena will make the perfect present for his favourite gladiator. After breaking out of Hades Row, (Rome's Worst Prison), SOS chases the gladiator only to find that he's taken Haireena on a secret mission in search of a treasure cavern at the source of the river Nile. Their journey to the Kingdom of the Kushites is full of shocks, crocs and lots of magic, courtesy of Cleocatra's Kushion. What the reviewers say: 'For me, though, the kicker is the hilarious scene in which the parallel narratives finally meet... where Son of Spartapuss takes his father through a list of all the terrible things that have happened to him as part of his journey, and Spartapuss responds in turn with "So have I". Sheer, laugh-out-loud brilliance.' Read in a Single Sitting 'The characters are wonderfully named - how about Eddipuss for starters? A wonderfully punny story which had me reading the book right through as soon as I received it. SOS (Son of Spartapuss) falls in love with the wondrously named Haireena. After a disastrous first date, Haireena is taken by Emperor Nero's gladiator and we follow their adventures through the Land of the Purramids as they seek treasure at the source of the River Nile. A really funny and beautifully written story, whisking you back to the days of Ancient Rome - a great way to interest children in history. This is No 5 in the Spartapuss series, and if you haven't already read the others, I urge you to do so.' http: //www.parentsintouch.co.uk/
Beowuff and the Horrid Hen
Banished from his homeland, Viking dog Beowuff finds himself shipwrecked on a troubled island. Its King needs a champion. His hall is under attack from the hideous Hendel - an evil chicken of monstrous proportions. About the book: Beowuff's story echoes the tale of 'Beowulf' - one of the earliest recorded poems in Old English (Anglo-Saxon). 'It was surely only a matter of time before the creator of the witty and popular Spartapuss series of adventures, set in a feline-focused version of ancient Rome, found another historical direction to explore with his tireless punnery and scholarly attention to detail. Beowuff is a hilarious reimagining of the earliest recorded poem in Old English, combining shamelessly silly wordplay (for example, our furry and fallible hero must defeat Hendel, an evil, giant chicken) with authentically Anglo-Saxon literary language and conceits.'
Out of the Easy
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - From the award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a captivating historical thriller about a teenage girl desperate to escape the secrets of her past in 1950s New Orleans."A satisfying novel, bringing to life the midcentury French Quarter... Sepetys writes with rawness and palpable emotional unease."--New York Times Book Review (Editor's Choice) It's 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld, Josie is soon lured deeper into a high-profile murder investigation in search of the truth. But with dangling temptation at every turn, will she ever be able to escape her mother's mistakes and pursue the life that was meant for her? With compelling characters, a standout setting, and an unforgettable storyline, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.
I Survived the Nazi Invasion,1944
One of the darkest periods in history...In a Jewish ghetto, Max Rosen and his sister Zena struggle to live after their father is taken away by the Nazis. With barely enough food to survive, the siblings make a daring escape from Nazi soldiers into the nearby forest.Max and Zena are brought to a safe camp by Jewish resistance fighters. But soon, bombs are falling all around them. Can Max and Zena survive the fallout of the Nazi invasion?
We Were There at the Driving of the Golden Spike
Travel back to the 1860s to witness the dramatic track-laying contest between the Union and Central Pacific Railroads. Join Irish immigrants Sheamus and Nora Cullen and their children, Mike and Feena, as the family travels westward by freight car and riverboat to begin a new life on the American frontier.The We Were There series brings history to life for young readers with engaging, action-packed entertainment. These illustrated tales combine fictional and real-life characters in settings of landmark events from the past. All of the books are reviewed for accuracy and approved by expert historical consultants.
We Were There at the First Airplane Flight
On a blustery afternoon in 1902, Jimmy and Clara Blair observe a strange kite in the North Carolina sky over Kitty Hawk Peninsula. They soon meet the kite's flyers, a pair of bicycle mechanics from Ohio named Orville and Wilbur Wright, and assist the inventors in realizing their dream of human flight.The We Were There series brings history to life for young readers with engaging, action-packed entertainment. These illustrated tales combine fictional and real-life characters in settings of landmark events from the past. All of the books are reviewed for accuracy and approved by expert historical consultants.
The Book Thief
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME - A NEW YORK TIMES READER TOP 100 PICK FOR BEST BOOKS OF THE 21ST CENTURY - A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOK OF THE CENTURY The extraordinary, beloved novel about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times. 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 DON'T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK'S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF.
Hyperbole and a Half
A #1 New York Times bestselling illustrated memoir, this "funny and smart as hell" (Bill Gates) collection captures everyday life, mental health, and human absurdity through deceptively simple drawings and razor-sharp wit. Every time Allie Brosh posted a new piece on her beloved blog Hyperbole and a Half, the internet erupted--and now her breakout book brings that voice to the page in full color. Featuring new content, this expanded edition includes ten never-before-seen essays, a fully revised and expanded piece, and fan favorites such as "The God of Cake," "Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving," and the groundbreaking essays "Adventures in Depression" and "Depression Part Two," widely praised for their honesty and insight. With minimalist illustrations and brutally funny observations, Brosh explores dogs, cake, growing up, emotional chaos, and the strange logic of the human mind. Her work manages to be laugh-out-loud hilarious while also offering one of the most relatable and accessible portrayals of depression ever written. Funny, smart, and emotionally resonant, this illustrated essay collection launched Allie Brosh as a major voice in American humor and remains a defining work of contemporary humor.
I Am Malala
A MEMOIR BY THE YOUNGEST RECIPIENT OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE As seen on Netflix with David Letterman"I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday." When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons. I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.
An Elephant in the Garden
Lizzie and Karl's mother is a zoo keeper; the family has become attached to an orphaned elephant named Marlene, who will be destroyed as a precautionary measure so she and the other animals don't run wild should the zoo be hit by bombs. The family persuades the zoo director to let Marlene stay in their garden instead. When the city is bombed, the family flees with thousands of others, but how can they walk the same route when they have an elephant in tow, and keep themselves safe? Along the way, they meet Peter, a Canadian navigator who risks his own capture to save the family. As Michael Morpurgo writes in an author's note, An Elephant in the Garden is inspired by historical truths, and by his admiration for elephants, "the noblest and wisest and most sensitive of all creatures." Here is a story that brings together an unlikely group of survivors whose faith in kindness and love proves the best weapon of all.
Sophia's War
Lives hang in the balance in this gripping Revolutionary War adventure from a beloved Newbery Medalist. In 1776, young Sophia Calderwood witnesses the execution of Nathan Hale in New York City, which is newly occupied by the British army. Sophia is horrified by the event and resolves to do all she can to help the American cause. Recruited as a spy, she becomes a maid in the home of General Clinton, the supreme commander of the British forces in America. Through her work she becomes aware that someone in the American army might be switching sides, and she uncovers a plot that will grievously damage the Americans if it succeeds. But the identity of the would-be traitor is so shocking that no one believes her, and so Sophia decides to stop the treacherous plot herself, at great personal peril: She's young, she's a girl, and she's running out of time. And if she fails, she's facing an execution of her own. Master storyteller Avi shows exactly how personal politics can be in this "nail-biting thriller" (Publishers Weekly) that is rich in historical detail and rife with action.
Kid Soldier
2015 Rocky Mountain Book Award - ShortlistedA boy is thrown into the middle of history's biggest war.Fatherless and penniless, fifteen-year-old Richard Fuller wants a bike, so Mr. Black, the baker hires him to help with deliveries. Mr. Black entertains him with army stories and teaches him Morse code. He invites Richard to attend the opening ceremonies of the local 1939 military camp. Infatuated with army life, Richard takes part in Army training camp under an assumed name. When war looms, he makes the most impulsive decision in his life and enlists.He travels to England, witnesses the terror of the Battle of Britain, the horrible death of a German pilot, is caught in the London Blitzkrieg, and is wounded himself. When his true age is discovered, Richard faces a possible court-martial.Will Richard's desire for adventure lead to disaster so early in his life?
If This Is Freedom
If This Is Freedom continues the story of struggle for Loyalist settlers in Nova Scotia after the American Revolutionary War. In the black settlement of Birchtown, times are especially hard for the former slaves. They face the difficulties of a hardscrabble existence and continued discrimination from their white counterparts.Like many desperate Birchtowners, Sarah Redmond has signed an indenture agreement, a work contract meant to protect her rights and ensure a living wage. Sarah's employers, the Blyes, do not honour the agreement, and Sarah and her family are all but shattered when Sarah takes a wrong step - one she will come to regret as it sets off a chain of unusual events that put her under further pressure. With her faith in the settlement running dry and the Birchtowners abandoning the settlement, Sarah is perplexed and soon faces the taxing option of whether to hold on to the only real life she has ever known or let go.At once a stand-alone story and a companion to Gloria Ann Wesley's previous novel, Chasing Freedom, this story about moral courage and the enduring strength of dreams shares history with us in a way that is both honest and emotional.
Breathing Room
Evvy Hoffmeister is thirteen years old when her family brings her to Loon Lake Sanatorium to get cured of tuberculosis (TB). Evvy is frightened by her new surroundings; the rules to abide are harsh and the nurses equally rigid. But Evvy soon falls into step with the other girls in her ward. There's Sarah, quiet but thoughtful; Pearl, who adores Hollywood glamour; and Dina, whose harshness conceals a deep strength. Together, the girls brave the difficult daily routines. Set in 1940 at a time of political unrest throughout the U.S. and Europe, this thought-provoking novel sheds light on a much-feared worldwide illness. Hundreds of thousands of people died each year of TB, and many ill children were sent away to sanatoriums to hopefully recover. Marsha Hayles' Breathing Room is a masterful novel--both eloquent and moving--that gives voice to those who fought hard to overcome the illness.
I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011
The disaster felt around the world . . .Visiting his dad's hometown in Japan four months after his father's death would be hard enough for Ben. But one morning the pain turns to fear: first, a massive earthquake rocks the quiet coastal village, nearly toppling his uncle's house. Then the ocean waters rise and Ben and his family are swept away-and pulled apart-by a terrible tsunami.Now Ben is alone, stranded in a strange country a million miles from home. Can he fight hard enough to survive one of the most epic disasters of all time?
Erika's Story
It is the winter of 1944. In Nazi-occupied Europe, a Jewish couple realize their fate is sealed and make a heart-rending decision so that their infant daughter might live. Ruth Vander Zee's elegant narration and Roberto Innocenti's searing and beautiful illustrations combine to capture the fear, love, and sadness of a Holocaust survivor's story.
Silhouette of a Sparrow
WINNER OF THE MILKWEED PRIZE FOR CHILDREN'S LITERATUREWINNER OF THE 2013 PATERSON PRIZE FOR BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERSALA RAINBOW LIST RECOMMENDED BOOKAMELIA BLOOMER PROJECT LIST RECOMMENDED BOOKLAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FINALISTMINNESOTA BOOK AWARD FINALISTFOREWARD REVIEWS BOOK OF THE YEAR HONORABLE MENTION In the summer of 1926, sixteen-year-old Garnet Richardson is sent to a lake resort to escape the polio epidemic in the city. She dreams of indulging in ornithology and a visit to an amusement park--a summer of fun before she returns to a last year of high school, marriage, and middle-class homemaking. But in the country, Garnet finds herself under supervision of oppressive guardians, her father's wealthy cousin and the matron's stuck-up daughter. Only a job in a hat shop, an intense, secret relationship with a beautiful flapper, and a deep faith in her own heart can save her from the suffocation of traditional femininity in this coming-of-age story about a search for both wildness and security in an era full of unrest. It is the tale of a young woman's discovery of the science of risk and the art of rebellion, and, of course, the power of unexpected love.
Escape to the Everglades
Running Boy of the Snake Clan of the Seminoles has lived with his uncle in the Everglades since his mother, a Seminole, and his father, a white man, were taken by the Breath Maker. Now he is fourteen and has received his adult name, Will Cypress, at the annual Green Corn Dance. In the eyes of his tribe Will is now a man, and he is eager to prove his courage as a warrior against the U.S. Army in the Second Seminole War. Will's manhood is accepted by all the Seminoles except Tiger, a bully who has always hated Will because of his white blood and superior running and hunting skills. Hoping to convince Tiger of his loyalty to the Snake Clan, Will sets out to join Osceola's band of warriors who are fighting to remain in Florida. On his way to the war chief's camp, Will stumbles upon a family secret that makes the battle for his homeland a personal one. He never loses his will to overcome, even when the whites break their truce and capture the Seminoles and imprison them in the fort in St. Augustine. Will faces the daunting challenge of honoring his heritage while desperately struggling to hold on to his dream. Valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the power of the truth. Next in series > > See all of the books in this series
Once
Felix, a Jewish boy in Poland in 1942, is hiding from the Nazis in a Catholic orphanage. The only problem is that he doesn't know anything about the war, and thinks he's only in the orphanage while his parents travel and try to salvage their bookselling business. And when he thinks his parents are in danger, Felix sets off to warn them--straight into the heart of Nazi-occupied Poland. To Felix, everything is a story: Why did he get a whole carrot in his soup? It must be sign that his parents are coming to get him. Why are the Nazis burning books? They must be foreign librarians sent to clean out the orphanage's outdated library. But as Felix's journey gets increasingly dangerous, he begins to see horrors that not even stories can explain.Despite his grim suroundings, Felix never loses hope. Morris Gleitzman takes a painful subject and expertly turns it into a story filled with love, friendship, and even humor.
Dangerous Waters
A stowaway, a stolen book, a murderous villain: an adventure on the most famous shipwreck in history. The great ocean liner Titanic is preparing to cross the Atlantic. Onboard is a sinister thief bent on stealing a rare book that may be the key to unlocking infinite treasure; a wealthy academic traveling home to America with his rare book collection; and Patrick Waters, a twelve-year-old Irish boy who is certain that his job as a steward on the unsinkable ship will be the adventure of a lifetime. In Dangerous Waters by Gregory Mone, disguises, capers, and danger abound as the ship makes its way toward that fateful iceberg, where Patrick will have to summon all his wits in order to survive. This title has Common Core connections.
The Springsweet
When seventeen-year-old Zora Stewart arrives in the frontier town of West Glory, Oklahoma, to help her widowed aunt, she discovers that she possesses the astonishing ability to sense water under the parched earth. When her aunt hires her out as a "springsweet" to advise settlers where to dig their wells, Zora feels the burden of holding the key to something so essential to survival in this unforgiving land. Even more, she finds herself longing for love the way the prairie thirsts for water. Maybe, in the wildness of the territories, Zora can finally move beyond simply surviving and start living.
The Apothecary
It's 1952 and the Scott family has just moved from Los Angeles to London. Here, fourteen-year-old Janie meets a mysterious apothecary and his son, Benjamin Burrows - a fascinating boy who's not afraid to stand up to authority and dreams of becoming a spy. When Benjamin's father is kidnapped, Janie and Benjamin must uncover the secrets of the apothecary's sacred book, the Pharmacopoeia, in order to find him, all while keeping it out of the hands of their enemies - Russian spies in possession of nuclear weapons. Discovering and testing potions they never believed could exist, Janie and Benjamin embark on a dangerous race to save the apothecary and prevent impending disaster. Together with Ian Schoenherr's breathtaking illustrations, this is a truly stunning package from cover to cover. Contains a teaser chapter of the sequel, The Apprentices.
Nothing Here but Stones
"At first I thought everything in America would look like New York City, with shops and crowded streets, but I have discovered, the farther west we travel, that there are long stretches of nothing. Absolutely nothing. I only hope the place we are going to is not so empty."Nancy Oswald's first work of historical fiction is based on a Russian Jewish colony that settled in Cotopaxi, Colorado, in 1882. Told from the viewpoint of eleven-year-old Emma, the book vividly portrays the hardships and struggles of the colony. The settlers were promised housing and rich ground for farming. Instead, the land is rocky and of poor quality. The houses are small and unfinished, and the colonists lack equipment and livestock for tilling and planting.The actual Jewish settlers faced many of the same hardships that Emma and her family did. There was an early frost, and the crops were stunted. The colonists were threatened by marauding bears and visited in the winter by starving Indians, who came to their doors begging for food.
The Doll with the Yellow Star
A tender story about the power of love in the face of loss Nine-year-old Claudine doesn't want to leave her much-loved home in France to go live in America, not without her parents. But she knows about the shortages, about the yellow stars Jews must wear, and about Adolf Hitler. And she knows that there are some things she needs to do even when she doesn't want to. It's wartime, and there is much that is different now. There are more things that Claudine will lose to this terrible war. But not everything that is lost must be lost forever. Here is a moving story about lost and found lives, and the healing power of love.
The Lions of Little Rock
"Satisfying, gratifying, touching, weighty--this authentic piece of work has got soul."--The New York Times Book Review As twelve-year-old Marlee starts middle school in 1958 Little Rock, it feels like her whole world is falling apart. Until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is everything Marlee wishes she could be: she's brave, brash and always knows the right thing to say. But when Liz leaves school without even a good-bye, the rumor is that Liz was caught passing for white. Marlee decides that doesn't matter. She just wants her friend back. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are even willing to take on segregation and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families. Winner of the New-York Historical Society Children's History Book Prize A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice
Fish for Jimmy
For two boys in a Japanese American family, everything changed when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the United States went to war. With the family forced to leave their home and go to an internment camp, Jimmy loses his appetite. Older brother Taro takes matters into his own hands and, night after night, sneaks out of the camp and catches fresh fish for Jimmy to help make him strong again. This affecting tale of courage and love is an adaptation of the author's true family story, and includes a letter to readers with more information about the historical background and inspiration.
The Haunting of Charles Dickens
Meg Pickel's older brother, Orion, has disappeared. One night, she steals out to look for him and makes two surprising discoveries: she stumbles upon a s矇ance that she suspects involves Orion, and she meets the author Charles Dickens, also unable to sleep and roaming the London streets. He is a customer of Meg's father, who owns a print shop, and a family friend. Mr. Dickens fears that the children of London aren't safe and is trying to solve the mystery of so many disappearances. If he can, then perhaps he'll be able to write once again. With stunning black-and-white illustrations by Greg Ruth, The Haunting of Charles Dickens by Lewis Buzbee is a literary mystery that celebrates the power of books and brings to life one of the world's best-loved authors.
City of Orphans
Plot twists, big accusations, and plenty of shifty, crooked characters fill the pages of this harrowing adventure from Newbery Medalist Avi.The streets of 1893 New York are crowded and filthy. For thirteen-year-old newsboy Maks Geless, they are also dangerous. Bruno, leader of the awful Plug Ugly Gang, has set his sights on Maks and orders his boys to track him down. Suddenly Maks finds himself on the run, doing all he can to evade the gang, with only his new friend Willa by his side. And that's just the start of Mak's troubles. His sister, Emma, has been arrested and imprisoned for stealing a watch from the glamorous new Waldorf Hotel. Maks knows she didn't do it--but will he be able to prove it in time?This is a riveting, quickly paced adventure set against a backdrop alive with the sights and sounds of tenement New York.
House Mouse, Senate Mouse
Congress is in session and the Squeaker of the House and the Senate Mouse-jority leader have a big job to do: they have to pass a law designating a national cheese for the United Mice of America. In House Mouse, Senate Mouse, bestselling and award-winning duo Peter and Cheryl Barnes give kids an entertaining and educational look at the legislative process while teaching them the values of hard work and compromise. From drawing up a bill and committee discussions to voting and signing a bill, House Mouse, Senate Mouse teaches children about the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Capitol building. House Mouse, Senate Mouse also features "The Tail End: Resources for Parents and Teachers" at the end of the book to help moms, dads, and educators teach their little mice even more about our legislative branch. Fun and informative, House Mouse, Senate Mouse is a great book for any child who might one day aspire to be a Congressmouse and work in our nation's capital.
The Swerve
In the winter of 1417, a short, genial, cannily alert man in his late thirties plucked a very old manuscript off a dusty shelf in a remote monastery, saw with excitement what he had discovered, and ordered that it be copied. He was Poggio Bracciolini, the greatest book hunter of the Renaissance. His discovery, Lucretius' ancient poem On the Nature of Things, had been almost entirely lost to history for more than a thousand years. It was a beautiful poem of the most dangerous ideas: that the universe functions without the aid of gods, that religious fear is damaging to human life, that pleasure and virtue are not opposites but intertwined, and that matter is made up of very small material particles in eternal motion, randomly colliding and swerving in new directions. Its return to circulation changed the course of history. The poem's vision would shape the thought of Galileo and Freud, Darwin and Einstein, and--in the hands of Thomas Jefferson--leave its trace on the Declaration of Independence. From the gardens of the ancient philosophers to the dark chambers of monastic scriptoria during the Middle Ages to the cynical, competitive court of a corrupt and dangerous pope, Greenblatt brings Poggio's search and discovery to life in a way that deepens our understanding of the world we live in now. "An intellectually invigorating, nonfiction version of a Dan Brown-like mystery-in-the-archives thriller." --Boston Globe
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Avi's treasured Newbery Honor Book now with exclusive bonus content!The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!A Newbery Honor Book* "A thrilling tale, tautly plotted, vividly narrated." --Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewThirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is excited to return home from her school in England to her family in Rhode Island in the summer of 1832.But when the two families she was supposed to travel with mysteriously cancel their trips, Charlotte finds herself the lone passenger on a long sea voyage with a cruel captain and a mutinous crew. Worse yet, soon after stepping aboard the ship, she becomes enmeshed in a conflict between them! What begins as an eagerly anticipated ocean crossing turns into a harrowing journey, where Charlotte gains a villainous enemy... and is put on trial for murder!
