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Cave Under the City
by Harry MazerNobody said New York City was easy, but for Tolley Holtz, it's home Tolley Holtz would rather be exploring the city with his friends, talking about the Yankees, and discussing what President Roosevelt is going to do about the Depression than watching his little brother, Bubber. With his mother working all day in a garment factory and his father looking for work in Baltimore, Tolley's family depends on him. But suddenly, things go from hard to unthinkable. When his mother gets pneumonia and can't leave the hospital, Tolley becomes the only family Bubber can rely on. Afraid that the children's shelter will split them up, the two brothers hop a crosstown bus and strike out on their own, up and down fire escapes, across rooftops, and into the cellars and shadows of New York City. Tolley will need all the street smarts he's ever learned to get them through the winter--and to hold on to his dreams of having a family again.
City Light
by Harry MazerGeorge feels as if he's going through life with his eyes half closed--but sometimes that's how you bump into the best surprises George has been in love with Julie since they were twelve years old. For six years, they've barely taken a step without each other, and and every time George imagines his future, he sees Julie in it. She'll be a doctor and they'll stay in their small town and always be able to see the bright lights of New York City across the Hudson River. The two of them are so close, they're like two parts of the same person--only whole when they're together. But when Julie suddenly calls off their relationship, everything George thought was certain starts to crumble away. In desperation, he starts exchanging online messages with a stranger, someone right across the river in the big city. On the Internet, George discovers, you can be anyone you want--or you can be exactly who you are, even if you're still finding out just who that is.
Ahyoka and the Talking Leaves
by Peter Roop Connie Roop Yoshi MiyakeA Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and recipient of the Florida Sunshine Award: In this absorbing chapter book, Ahyoka helps her father, Sequoyah, unlock the mystery of "talking leaves" to create the Cherokee alphabet Ahyoka is the daughter of Sequoyah, a silversmith who has given up most of his trade to focus on his true passion. He longs for the day when the Cherokee people can communicate to one another from afar and document the history of their lives. He wants his people--the Real People--to have a written language like the white men do. When he is ostracized from his community for the "magic" he is creating, he leaves his home to pursue his quest. His young daughter, who shares his dream, joins him on his journey. They work together to create a syllabic alphabet that will tell the story of the Cherokee people.
An Eye for an Eye: A Story of the Revolutionary War
by Peter Roop Connie RoopA teenage girl questions her principles after her brother is captured during the Revolutionary War Fourteen-year-old Samantha Byrd is an excellent shot--she's even better than her brother at providing food for her family. Although the winds of war are blowing in Virginia, she knows that she could only ever use her skill for hunting--not for hurting another person. When the Revolutionary War finally begins, her brother is captured, and Samantha sets off to rescue him. But when she comes face to face with the enemy, will she still stand by her principles, or will she pull the trigger?
Sacagawea: Girl of the Shining Mountains
by Peter Roop Connie RoopSacagawea, the Shoshoni woman who helped guide Lewis and Clark on their famed expedition, tells her life story When Sacagawea's son asks her about her life, she isn't sure where to begin. Does she start with her birth as a Shoshoni? Her kidnapping by an enemy tribe at age eleven? Or her role as the famous guide for the Lewis and Clark expedition? She's seen and experienced more in her young life than most people ever will. Told from Sacagawea's point of view, this historical novel shares the ordeals of her youth along with the memory of her long, arduous journey west with Lewis and Clark. She shares her love of nature and explains how her loyalties have changed over time. This story of Sacagawea goes beyond the legend to reveal the flesh-and-blood woman who she really was.
I, Columbus: My Journal, 1492–1493
by Peter Roop Connie Roop Peter E. HansonA Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People: A firsthand account of Christopher Columbus's famous voyage to the East, taken directly from his journal entries Christopher Columbus had a dream--to reach the fabled lands of the East, rich with spices, jewels, silver, and especially gold. Having studied the travels of other explorers, Columbus was convinced he could reach his destination by traveling west across the seas. After convincing Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand to fund his expedition, he set sail in August of 1492. In this account, the voyage Columbus undertook is told in his own voice through his journal entries of that year. He tells of excitement, drama, and terror on the high seas, as well as the doubts he faces from his own crew, as together, they weather the path to victory.
Off the Map: The Journals of Lewis and Clark
by Peter Roop Connie Roop Tim TannerA Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People: The tale of the famous expedition of Lewis and Clark, condensed from their own eight-volume journals for young historians Lewis and Clark's famous 1804 expedition was told with great detail by the explorers themselves in an eight-volume account. Now young historians have the opportunity to learn the thrills, challenges, and adventures in a version accessible for them. Two years' worth of entries are condensed into a flowing account that maintains the historical essence of the original. With a fact-filled prologue and epilogue, young readers can relive the adventurous eight-thousand-mile journey across uncharted wilderness.
Pilgrim Voices: Our First Year in the New World
by Peter Roop Connie Roop Shelley PritchettA Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and a C. S. Lewis Noteworthy book: A rich history of the pilgrim experience, as recorded in real diaries Nearly four hundred years after the pilgrims left England in search of a better life, their stories still resonate with Americans today. In this account, the pilgrims' own writings of their adventures and hardships are brought to life for young readers. This touching account shows the pilgrims' voyage on the Mayflower, their first meeting with the native people, and the hardships of hunger, illness, and death that they faced during their first winter. Finally, after more than a year in the New World, they celebrate the harvest and truly give thanks.
Alien Child
by Pamela SargentAlone on Earth, a young girl searches for a new beginning Nita is a child of the Institute. Ever since she can remember, she has roamed its sterile halls, living out her youth in the care of a fur-covered guardian from another world. The Institute's computers give her everything she could want--except another human to share her life with. Long ago there were people at the Institute, but something happened that wiped them out. As she matures, Nita slowly realizes that she may be the only human being left on Earth--and that the fate of humanity could well lie with her. Beyond a door marked Authorized Personnel Only is the "cold room," a laboratory that may hold the key to Nita's past--and her future. This is where her guardian found her, and it is to this place that Nita must return if she is to learn the secret of the Institute and what has happened to the rest of her kind.
The Exploits of Xenophon
by Geoffrey HouseholdThousands of miles from home, one soldier leads an army to safety The war with Sparta is over, and Athens is at peace for the first time in thirty years. Their Greek enemies subdued, the generals of Athens turn their eyes to the East, where the Persian Empire stretches to the edge of the known world. Never before have Greek soldiers marched into Persia. Xenophon will be among the first. A warrior whose bravery is matched only by his intelligence, Xenophon is a natural leader. When his army of ten thousand men is stranded far from home, it is up to him to lead them back to Greece without sacrificing the principles of democracy that they hold so dear. A retelling of Xenophon's classic Anabasis, this is a thrilling tale of bravery and survival, in which the mind is as valuable a weapon as the sword.
Girlhearts
by Norma Fox MazerSome families you're born into, some you have to find for yourself Sarabeth Silver knows that her mom is different. Jane Silver is younger, prettier, harder working, and poorer--making just enough money cleaning houses for her and Sarabeth to live in a little trailer. It's always been just the two of them, but when tragedy suddenly strikes, Sarabeth will have to figure things out on her own. Sarabeth has never known either of her parents' families, who refused to help when Jane got pregnant at sixteen. Is it worth trying to find them after they rejected her parents so long ago? She knows her friends would be willing to help, but how can she lean on them when what she really wants is the open hearts of relatives she's not even sure exist? And if they are out there, how will they feel about Sarabeth after all these years?
Missing Pieces
by Norma Fox MazerJessie's father has always been a missing piece of her life--but if she were to find him, how would he feel about her? Jessie Wells thinks four is a good number. Things with four sides are sturdy and strong. A box, a chair, a room with four walls. But ever since the day Jessie's dad left, Jessie, her mother, and Aunt Zis have been a triangle--three-sided, though solidly linked. Jessie has heard the story: Her beautiful young mother had married a prince who disappeared one day, so she had raised her daughter with the help of Aunt Zis. But lately, the picture in Jessie's mind seems incomplete. Who is James Wells? she wonders. He must be more than just a deadbeat dad who deserted his wife and child, and Jessie is determined to find out, even if she has to call every Wells in the phone book--and there are a lot of them. But if Jessie finds her father and asks him all her questions, will she like the answers?
The Avion My Uncle Flew
by Cyrus Fisher Richard FloetheSpending the summer in a dull French village is not what Johnny had in mind . . . but soon he’s hot on the trail of a Nazi spy!<P><P> When twelve-and-a-half-year-old Johnny Littlehorn’s dad returns from the front lines and announces they’re spending the summer in France, Johnny is appalled. He doesn’t understand why they’re going to France when they could stay home at their Wyoming ranch instead. But that’s before he discovers an old German pistol hidden in a loaf of bread.<P> When Johnny arrives, he finds the village of Saint-Chamant anything but boring. With the help of his new friends Suzanne and Charles, Johnny follows a winding trail that leads to a fugitive spy and a stolen fortune. Before long, he’s learning French, helping his oncle Paul build a real airplane, and unraveling an evil Nazi plot!<P> A Newbery Honor Book
The Wish Master
by Betty Ren WrightMost years Corby likes summer vacation, but not now. He's stuck at his grandparents' house in Wisconsin, where his grandfather constantly reminds him how timid he is and how different his father was at his age. And his new friend Buck seems to think he's chicken, too, just because he'd rather be sensible than risk getting hurt. To prove he's tough, Corby joins Buck for a nighttime journey into the woods to find the Wish Master, a fierce, giant statue that is rumored to grant wishes. Soon it seems as if the Wish Master does have special powers--though it doesn't always get things exactly right. When Corby wishes for a puppy, a mangy stray comes into his life. He soon grows attached to the loyal mutt. Then the dog gets Corby in big trouble, and Corby decides it's time to wish for what he really wants: to go home. But will this wish bring more harm than good?
The Summer of Mrs. MacGregor
by Betty Ren WrightA girl learns that glamour isn&’t always what it seems: &“Well written with humor, strong characterization, and a convincing plot&” (School Library Journal). Twelve-year-old Caroline feels torn. She grieves over her sister who has a severe heart problem that keeps her in and out of the hospital. But at the same time, she is jealous of her sister&’s beauty and sweet disposition, which causes everyone to admire her. Caroline longs to be beautiful, to get attention from her parents—just to be somebody, anybody, other than plain old Caroline Cabot. Her self-image changes, however, when she meets glamorous seventeen-year-old Lillina MacGregor. Lillina makes her feel like somebody, but does Lillina tell the truth? Is she really 17? And married? And a model in New York? Caroline must rely on her inner strengths as she discovers the truth about Lillina, and will face several challenging situations during &“the summer of Mrs. MacGregor.&”
The Secret Window
by Betty Ren WrightMeg&’s dreams seem to predict the future—but can she make a better future for herself? &“Filled with sensitivity and warmth&” (Children&’s Book Review Service). &“It was crazy to have dreams that came true. If you talked about them, it&’d upset the people you loved and make them angry. Meg had learned something bad about herself, an ugly secret.&” And so she decided to keep the dreams to herself, writing them down in a special notebook. Sometimes her dreams were pleasant, but other times they were disturbing—especially the one about the cave with the blue light. When Meg&’s worst dreams begin to come true, she&’s convinced they bring bad luck. Why else would her father move out to &“find himself&” or her best friend desert her for a rowdy crowd of older kids? Meg&’s grandmother and a wonderful new neighbor finally help her realize that her &“secret window&” into the future can bring good luck, if understood properly.
The Scariest Night
by Betty Ren WrightErin&’s new adopted brother has ruined everything—but there are scarier things than having to share the spotlight in this &“compelling summertime adventure.&” (School Library Journal). Erin enjoyed being Erin Lindsay, the much-loved only child of schoolteacher parents. Everything in her life was just he way she wanted it, until nine-year-old Cowper moved in. A musical prodigy, he was adopted by Erin&’s parents after his mother and father were killed in a car crash. Suddenly, Erin was no longer the center of attention. Her parents became obsessed with Cowper. Now Erin faces a long, lonely summer away from her friends and familiar surroundings. The Lindsays are renting an apartment in Milwaukee so Cowper can take piano lessons at the conservatory. Erin is crazed with boredom, until she meets senior citizen and medium Molly Panca . . . and experiences the scariest night of her life.
Rosie and the Dance of the Dinosaurs
by Betty Ren WrightThe big piano recital is coming up soon, and Rosie feels anything but ready—&“captures the down-to-earth rhythms of suburban life, spiced with humor&” (Kirkus Reviews). Even though Rosie has only nine fingers, she&’s always managed well. Until now. For some reason, she can&’t master the piano solo she&’s been rehearsing for the annual recital. It&’s called &“The Dance of the Dinosaurs,&” and it&’s hard! As the recital draws near, Rosie is desperate. Why does everything seem so much more difficult now? Is it because she misses her father? Since he moved to Milwaukee to take a new job, Rosie&’s been miserable, and her mother has been acting kind of strange. Or is Rosie having trouble because she&’s worried about the burglar who&’s been secretly visiting her house? Then, too, there&’s Mary Jean, the new girl in town. Not only is she rich and pretty, but she plays the piano beautifully. In the weeks before the recital, Rosie fights some hard battles. To her surprise, she discovers that having nine fingers isn&’t such a bad thing after all.
The Pike River Phantom
by Betty Ren WrightA vengeful ghost haunts a small town—until two cousins confront her—in this &“fast-paced, entertaining&” story (School Library Journal). While thirteen-year-old Rachel dreams of becoming Pike River&’s Sunbonnet Queen, her cousin Charlie Hocking dreams of leaving. But both dreams are threatened by the presence of a fierce old lady who lives just outside of town. At first Charlie is more puzzled than frightened by the fact that the woman looks younger each time he sees her. But gradually, he realizes she&’s a phantom, a mad ghost who is eerily involved with the Sunbonnet Queen contest. When she threatens Rachel, Charlie decides to stay in Pike River, for a while at least. It&’s a wise decision, for with the help of an unexpected ally he saves Rachel&’s life on a Fourth of July morning the Hockings will never forget.
Nothing But Trouble
by Betty Ren WrightWhile staying at her aunt&’s farm, a girl searches for her missing dog—and a mysterious vandal. Vannie Kirkland is spending the summer on her Aunt Bert&’s farm while her parents are looking for work in California. At first, she feels uncomfortable: Aunt Bert is cranky and plainspoken, and she constantly reminds Vannie of how much she dislikes Vannie&’s yappy little dog, Muffy. Then, just when Vannie is beginning to appreciate Aunt Bert and her way of life, trouble starts brewing. Someone has been lurking around the farm, vandalizing the property. To top it all off, Muffy gets lost! Vannie helps Aunt Bert figure out who&’s trying to scare them, captures the culprit, and learns a thing or two about what it means to compromise.
Ghosts Beneath Our Feet (Apple Paperback, An)
by Betty Ren WrightSomething chilling lurks underground, and two step-siblings must unite to uncover the truth in this &“engrossing mystery&” (Booklist). Katie knows that something eerie is happening in the old, deserted town where she, her stepbrother, and her newly widowed mother are spending the summer taking care of Uncle Frank. Sometimes, when Katie puts her ear to the ground in Uncle Frank&’s backyard, she hears a groaning noise that sounds almost human. But when a crippled ghost-girl appears to her out of the gloom in an abandoned mine, Katie is at once terrified and puzzled. Could the girl&’s chilling appearance have something to do with a tragic mining accident thirty years before? In a fiery climax, Katie and her rebellious stepbrother learn the truth about the past and discover things about each other that strengthen their fragile relationship.
The Ghost Witch
by Betty Ren WrightJenny&’s new house has an unwanted ghost: &“Readers will enjoy the imaginative pranks of the specter and the resourceful way [Jenny] solves her problem&” (School Library Journal). Jenny knows she should be excited about the beautiful old house that her mother has inherited from Miss Nagle. She&’ll finally have her own bedroom, and the place even comes with Rufus the cat, a ready-made pet. But when Jenny visits the house, she&’s scared out of her wits. Giant snakes, elephants, and all kinds of terrifying creatures lurk around every corner. With a little help from Rufus, Jenny discovers who&’s behind these spooky happenings. It&’s the ghost of Miss Nagle&’s grandmother, the once-famous witch of Willowby Lane. The ghost witch loves to scare people, and she thinks Jenny and her friends will be perfect targets. Jenny decides to meet the ghost witch face-to-face in this scary, yet delightful short-chapter book.
A Ghost in the Window
by Betty Ren WrightA girl&’s scary dream may come true in this &“fast moving&” story starring &“a likable and believable heroine&” (School Library Journal). Meg&’s nightmare about a thin, gray-haired man who beckons her to follow him through a dark doorway will no doubt come true. That&’s the way it is with all of her &“real&” dreams, the ones that her grandmother calls &“a secret window into the future.&” Meg suspects that her dream is about sixteen-year-old Caleb Larsen&’s father, who died in a car crash after allegedly stealing $50,000 from a local bank. Could Mr. Larsen be trying to reach Caleb and his mother through Meg&’s dreams? Is he trying to reveal the truth about what happened? As Meg&’s nightmare begins to come true, she learns to cope with her own past as well as Caleb&’s, and to see the present in a different, more positive light.
The Ghost of Popcorn Hill
by Betty Ren WrightAs two brothers try to reunite the lonely ghosts of a farmer and a sheepdog, &“readers will be cheering them on every step of the way&” (Publishers Weekly). In this short-chapter winner of the IRA Children&’s Choices, Peter and Martin enjoy living atop Popcorn Hill, except for two things: They long for a big dog and their cabin is haunted by a lonely ghost. They do get a frisky mutt named Rosie, but she&’s not as big or as appealing as the stray sheepdog that has been roaming around outside. When the boys learn the sheepdog is a ghost, however, they devise a plan for bringing the two ghosts together. In the process, they learn to appreciate their real pet, Rosie.
The Ghost of Ernie P.
by Betty Ren WrightWhat do you do when you&’re being bullied—by a ghost? Find out in this story that &“nicely blends the comic and the sinister&” (Booklist). Three months ago, when Ernie P. Barber came to Treverton from Los Angeles, he&’d been like a missile aimed at trouble. And Ernie had chosen Jeff to be his best friend, whether he liked it or not. &“You&’re my buddy, old buddy,&” Ernie would always say, &“. . . and I&’m going to cut you in on my T.S.P.&” But when Ernie dies as a result of a freak accident, Jeff&’s troubles are only beginning. The ghost of Ernie P. starts to haunt Jeff. At first, Jeff thinks he&’s going crazy. But when the letters T.S.P. (Ernie&’s code for Top Secret Plan) and some newspaper clippings keep mysteriously appearing, Jeff is convinced that Ernie&’s ghost wants him to carry out the T.S.P. alone—whatever it might be. Not until Jeff faces terrible danger and stands up to the ghost of Ernie P. does the mystery of the T.S.P. unravel.