Taking over a rowdy gym class right before winter vacation is not something James Naismith wants to do at all. The last two teachers of this class quit in frustration. The students--a bunch of energetic young men--are bored with all the regular games and activities. Naismith needs something new, exciting, and fast to keep the class happy--or someone's going to get hurt. Saving this class is going ...

As he does in Chasing Lincoln's Killer, Swanson captures the drama, tension, and suspense of the devastating assassination and the determined pursuit of the murderer. This is history that reads like a thriller. Highly recommended, especially for young adult readers.

Shetterly highlights an important segment in US History by focusing on four intelligent ladies whose skill earned them places in what is now NASA. Their acceptance into this program was blocked, at first, because misguided beliefs about their skin color and gender prohibited their participation. Context, setting, and a timeline of events is beautifully conveyed and displayed for readers to underst ...

Based on Tempe Wick's life and the tale of hiding her horse in her house during the coldest winter of the American Revolution, Rinaldi's story poignantly addresses the question of compromising one's loyalty for "victory."

Based on the childhood of NFL superstar twins Tiki and Ronde Barber, this inspiring story, written along with the award-winning author of "Hoops," illustrates the values of family and the importance of never giving up. Full color.

Lyrical text describes Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her North to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of slavery. This is a moving portrait of one of the most inspiring figures of the Underground Railroad--a woman who would take 19 subsequent trips back South without being caught.

In this powerful story, Levine weaves together the extraordinary events in the life of Henry "Box" Brown, who as a young boy hid in a wooden crate in one of the most amazing escapes using the Underground Railroad. Full color.

Raven and Ellison tell the true story of an all-black Little League team formed in 1955 in segregated Charleston, South Carolina, that was not allowed to participate in the Little League World Series.

"The use of language...[functions] as an instrument of thought; not being merely its vehicle, but giving it wings for flight." - Peter Mark Roget Roget's delight with language oozes from these pages. Illustrations, mostly hand-drawn give the sense Roget is telling his own story -- how curiosity and wonder drove his search to capture a moment or thought or concept with just the right word. His v ...

With stunning illustrations, unique fonts, and surprising extra features on every page, this book is a delightful introduction to the creativity and determination of Tony Sarg. Detailing his quest to create, and all the ways he made choices and adjustments as he worked to conquer new projects, this book inspires readers of all ages to think critically and find the confidence to solve problems of a ...

In an unusual move within book publishing, this author/illustrator team researched Horace Pippin together. The result is a remarkably tight text-illustration experience. While Bryant's careful word choice flows easily, delighting and informing simultaneously, Sweet's illustration conveys Pippin's life story via his folk-art style, as if we readers are privy to his sketching pad. Sweet prominently ...

Large watercolor illustrations warmly portray Helen Keller—overcomer, speaker, and briefly, actress. This reading experience highlights Annie Sullivan's belief in Helen's potential, and Helen's increasing connections that strengthened her mind and ambition. Readers sense the importance of pushing beyond difficult limits. Large-print quotes give voice to Helen's dogged determination that hig ...

This is a richly layered biography, best enjoyed by late elementary ages. Ada Byron Lovelace possessed an inquisitive mind that relished numbers, patterns, and challenge. However, she grew up during a time when measles and cholera puzzled the medical community, and both left her very ill. It was also a time when men were more readily associated with the mathematical work and invention for which Ad ...

Watercolors rich with color and undertones speak to the deep character of Harriet Tubman, once General Tubman, Union Spy, Moses, Araminta, and more. Concise word selection shapes historical contrasts within short lines of verse on each spread, conveying poignant truth with hope and a relentless spirit bound only by freedom.

Beautiful biography of a man who took the risk of doing on television what had not been done before: engaging children through authentic gentleness, imagination, and wisdom. Highly recommended!

Messner approaches the presidency with an air of wonder. It's as if she wonders aloud: ""When this person was president, this future president was doing such and such."" Realistic illustrations capture the whimsy, seriousness, and emotion that every human can identify with. And in so doing, the text and art create pictures of normal people that young readers can identify with, and perhaps even asp ...

More than a trailblazer, Patricia Bath was a brilliant and determined ophthalmologist. Overcoming doubt and obstacles was something she did over and over throughout her life, as if she believed that there is always a way. A remarkable and inspiring biography with a fascinating subject!