Special Collections
American Girl (Historical Fiction)
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Meet Josefina
by Valerie TrippJosefina is a girl of heart and hope growing up in New Mexico in 1824 -- a place of big skies and hard work, danger and dreams. Josefina's stories tell how she and her family watch their old ways cross paths with the new. Josefina is lucky to have her family and faith to help guide her through all the changes in her life! Josefina and her sisters are struggling after Mama's death. But a surprise from Mexico lightens their hearts and brightens their future.
Josefina's Song
by Valerie TrippWhen Josefina and her father visit their shepherd, Santiago, they learn that Santiago is blind. He and his grandson, Angelito, care for the sheep. Even though Papa is very fond of Santiago, he is hesitant to have a blind man and a nine-year-old boy in charge of his sheep. It takes an accident to change his mind. Other books about Josefina are also available from Bookshare. Because of the words written in Spanish, this file will need some extra attention in order for it to make an excellent embossed braille copy.
Again Josefina
by Valerie TrippAny child who has taken piano lessons will get a kick out of this book. Josefina finds unique ways to "practice," and even baby Antonio gets into the act of encouraging her to practice more. Humor, warmth, and lots of repetition lead Josefina to become a player of songs. Other books about Josefina are also available from Bookshare. In order for this file to make an excellent embossed braille copy, attention must be paid to the words written in Spanish.
Josefina's Surprise
by Valerie TrippThe second Christmas after their mother has died, Josefina and her three sisters find that participating in the traditions of Las Posadas helps keep memories of Mamá alive. Can the Montoya girls overcome their loss and move on together to honor their Mamá's memory?
Message in a Bottle
by Kathryn ReissWhen Julie visits Gold Moon Ranch, a farming commune in California's gold rush country, the back-to-the-land lifestyle seems idyllic at first. But peculiar problems keep cropping up - almost as if someone was trying to shut down the commune! Then, on a secret trip to an abandoned gold mine, Julie stumbles on a mysterious message that hints at long-lost treasure. Julie is desperate to find it - before danger closes in on Gold Moon Ranch.
Julie Tells Her Story
by Megan McdonaldJulie is enjoying working on her school project, "The Story of My Life," until she comes to the part about "The Worst Thing That Ever Happened." That would be her parents' divorce, and she doesn't want to tell her class about that. Julie tries to find a different "Worst Thing" to tell about-and after her big basketball game, she thinks maybe she's found the solution to her problem. But as her parents and sister rally around her, Julie finds herself thinking about her family in a new, and more hopeful, way.
Julie and the Eagles
by Megan McdonaldJulie and Ivy are eating snow cones in Golden Gate Park when they hear an odd sound. It's a baby owl-and it needs help. At a wildlife rescue center, Julie meets Shasta and Sierra, two bald eagles. Shasta's wing is injured, and Julie hopes he'll be able to fly again-but that can happen only if the rescue center raises enough money to release the eagles back into the wild. Julie feels sure that if people knew about the eagles, they'd want to help. For Earth Day, Julie thinks of a unique way to tell the public of the eagles' plight. But money isn't exactly pouring in ... and time is running out.
Changes for Julie
by Megan Mcdonald[Back Cover] Julie is in fifth grade-and in trouble! She was only helping her friend Joy, who is deaf, but her teacher doesn't care. After serving time in detention, Julie sets out to change the system. To do that, she'll have to win the election for student body president, running against the most popular boy in the school. As the election heats up, Julie tries to get the kids to listen to her ideas. When she realizes that the other kids don't like Joy, her choice for vice president, she considers dropping out of the race. But the last thing she wants is to hurt Joy's feelings-or lose her as a friend.
Happy New Year, Julie
by Megan McdonaldJulie knows the holidays will be difficult this year, but when her sister, Tracy, refuses to go to Dad's house for Christmas, Julie feels as if her family is falling apart. Over the holidays Julie finds comfort spending time with her best friend, Ivy Ling.
The Lings are getting ready for Chinese New Year, and helping with their preparations distracts Julie from her sadness about her own family. Then she learns that her whole family is invited to the Lings's New Year banquet. Julie tries to share Ivy's excitement, but her heart sinks-with Mom, Dad, and Tracy there, how will they all get along?
The Tangled Web
by Kathryn ReissJulie really likes the new girl in her class. Still, there's something odd about Carla Warner. The things Carla says don't quite add up, and she seems to avoid answering certain questions. As Carla's stories become more outlandish, Julie can't escape a disturbing fact: either her new friend is lying -- or she's in real danger!
Meet Julie
by Megan McdonaldMoving is no fun, even just a few miles away. Julie Albright, a nine-year-old girl growing up in 1974 learns that life can be unfair when she has to move across town and attend a new school - one different than her best friend Ivy. Julie has other dreams too - like playing basketball. She is excited when she learns that her new school has a real basketball team. But soon, Julie finds herself facing a change she never expected.
Julie's Journey
by Megan McdonaldJULIE is joining her cousins on an old-fashioned wagon train to celebrate the Bicentennial. She can't wait to try pioneer life, especially riding a horse. But her cousin's horse turns out to be a handful, and Julie is afraid to ride him again. When cousin April laughs at her, Julie stops talking to April-not so easy to do while living in a covered wagon! As the journey grows harder, Julie wonders why she ever wanted to come. Then she makes a remarkable discovery that could bring something of real historic value to the wagon train. But there's only one way to get it-on horseback.
Kaya's Escape!
by Janet ShawEnemy raiders are invading Kaya's village. Kaya's mother tells her to run for the woods with her blind sister, Speaking Rain. But as Kaya runs to help her horse escape too, she and Speaking Rain are captured.
Kaya's Hero
by Janet ShawA IS IN AWE of a young warrior woman named Swan Circling, who's so fearless, she doesn't even flinch when a runaway horse gallops straight at her! Swan Circling goes with the men into battle, bringing them fresh horses and tending to the wounded. If I were as strong as Swan Circling, Kaya thinks, I'd find a way to get my sister back. Swan Circling has heard the children calling Kaya "Magpie," the nickname she got for being irresponsible. Although Kaya has made mistakes, she wants very badly to be friends with Swan Circling. Will Swan Circling want to be friends with her? Kaya's Hero is the third in a series of beautifully illustrated books about growing up as a Nez Perce girl-before America became a country. What was it like to be a girl long ago? The American Girls Collection takes you inside the worlds of girls who lived during exciting times in the past. As you read their stories, you can imagine how different life was back then. But you'll also discover that their feelings, ideas, and dreams are just like yours.
Changes for Kaya
by Janet ShawSPEAKING RAIN has returned to Kaya's family, but Kaya still has one last fear-that she'll never see her beloved horse, Steps High, again. When Kaya hears of a herd of Nimiipuu horses running wild in the mountains, she hopes Steps High is one of them. Kaya soon has a chance to find out for herself when she joins the elk-hunting party traveling into the mountains. Kaya is filled with excitement and hope, but Speaking Rain is troubled by the smoke she smells on the wind-smoke from mountain fires. As Kaya searches for her beautiful horse, she has to face a fear, greater than any she's ever known.
Kaya Shows the Way
by Janet ShawSUMMERTIME MEANS salmon fishing at thundering Celilo Falls-and horse racing, games, parades, feasting, and dancing, too! Kaya loves to join in the fun, but she's also got something serious on her mind: searching for her lost sister, Speaking Rain.
Thousands of Indian families and friends gather at Celilo Falls each summer, and Kaya hopes that someone may have word of her sister. Kaya's older sister, Brown Deer, is on her mind, too. Brown Deer will soon marry Cut Cheek, a thought that makes Kaya both glad and sad. She lost one sister when she had to leave Speaking Rain with the enemies. Now will she lose Brown Deer?
The Silent Stranger
by Janet ShawKAYA's village is preparing for the powerful winter Spirit Dances when an injured stranger arrives. She doesn't speak, and no one can reach her but Kaya's beloved dog, Tatlo. Who is the stranger, and why is she so silent and alone? Kaya searches for clues, but she must look deep inside her own heart to truly understand.
Meet Kaya
by Janet ShawFrom the book: For a long time, Kaya has dreamed of racing her beloved Appaloosa mare. It's exciting for Kaya to think of galloping flat out, her horse's long strides so smooth it would seem as if she were gliding on air. Kaya knows that Steps High is fast, but she also knows her horse is young and untried.
When a bothersome boy insults Steps High, Kaya accepts his challenge to race. Kaya is thrilled when she finds herself in the lead, until Steps High bucks and nearly throws Kaya off her back. Kaya's defeat isn't nearly as bad as losing sight of her little twin brothers, who wandered away while Kaya raced. Her carelessness earns her a terrible nickname that her friends won't let her forget. Can she ever lose it?
Other books in this series are available from Bookshare.
Meet Kirsten
by Janet ShawNine-year-old Kirsten and her family experience many hardships as they travel from Sweden to the Minnesota frontier in 1854.
Kirsten and The Chippewa
by Janet ShawWhen Kirsten Kirsten's dog is about to drown, a group of Indians rescue him for her. She had been frightened of the Ojibway, but she learns that they are friendly people. This book includes notes on the history relevant to this story and a good and easy recipe for Bird's nest Pudding. This is a wonderful book for a book report. This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
Kirsten Learns a Lesson
by Janet ShawKirsten has a hard time in her new American school because she doesn't speak English very well. Miss Winston, her new teacher, is strict and not very understanding. Things get worse when Miss Winston comes to live with the Larson family. Kirsten's only escape is playing with her secret friend Singing Bird, the Indian girl. When Singing Bird suggests running away forever, Kirsten must decide where she belongs. Kirsten does learn some important lessons in school, but she learns something even more important about herself.
Changes for Kristen
by Janet ShawThe Minnesota winter is bitter cold. It seems very long to Kirsten and her family, who are crowded in their tiny log cabin. Kirsten looks forward to the days she's allowed outside to help her brother Lars with his trap line. One day she brings home a baby raccoon she's found in the woods, and trouble begins for Kirsten and her family. The raccoon gets loose and starts a fire that destroys the Larsons' home and everything in it. The future seems bleak, and the family is discouraged until Kirsten and Lars make a frightening but important discovery in the woods. What they find means better times for the Larsons
Kirsten's Surprise
by Janet ShawKirsten wants her first Christmas in America to be special for her family. She would like to recreate St. Lucia's Day, a tradition celebrated in Sweden on Christmas Eve. To do this she needs costumes from a trunk in another town. Will she convince her father to get the trunk even though it's a long journey by horse-drawn sleigh in the bitter cold?
Happy Birthday, Kirsten!
by Janet ShawExciting new things come to the Larsons' farm in Minnesota in the springtime-including a big new barn and a tiny new baby. But changes bring new worries and more work for Kirsten, too. First she is afraid for Mama's health. Then caring for a baby keeps her so busy that her life seems to be nothing but chores. Soon Kirsten doesn't even have time to help with the surprise she and her friends are planning for their teacher, Miss Winston. And when she has to miss school to help out at home, she worries that her friends will forget her. But Kirsten's hard work is rewarded, and her tenth birthday becomes a celebration of family and friendship.
Kirsten Saves the Day
by Janet Shaw"At last it's summer! Even Kirsten's chores, like going to the stream to catch fish for dinner, seem like play in the fine Minnesota weather. One day while she's fishing, Kirsten leaves the stream to explore the woods beyond the farm.
There she finds a treasure-a bee tree packed with honeycombs. Kirsten knows Papa could use the honey to trade for things the family needs. So she decides to surprise him by bringing the honey home. Kirsten needs help, so she asks her brother Peter to go with her. But they don't know that bears are after Kirsten's treasure, too."
Bookshare also has "Meet Kirsten," "Kirsten's Surprise," and "Kirsten Learns a Lesson."
This file should make a fine embossed braille copy.