Children's Biographies

BULL'S-EYE: A Photobiography of Annie Oakley
by Sue Macy. Wonderful B&W and sepia-tone era photos illustrate. "Color" maps. Condition: NEW 2001 National Geographic hard cover & DJ (in mylar jacket), no printing given. Content: When a person becomes a legend, it can be difficult to sort out the truth, especially in the case of Annie Oakley, whose life was relentlessly fictionalized. Macy does a good job of sifting out the facts and retelling them in an enjoyable fashion. Born in rural Ohio, eight-year-old Phoebe Ann Moses took the family shotgun to find supper one day and was seemingly never seen again without a gun in her hands. She was soon shooting game to sell to restaurants, a practice that led her to a marksmanship contest with sharpshooter Frank Butler, who eventually became her husband, costar, and manager. At the end of her 20-year career, Oakley had toured with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, performed on Broadway, and garnered acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic. Macy's readable, attractive biography, which conveys both Oakley's homespun simplicity and her business savvy, is illustrated with beautiful sepia-tone photographs and drawings--a combination that will satisfy students and browsers alike. A chronology and a bibliography are appended. Grades 5-8. [1 copy available]
$ 6.49 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

CLEOPATRA (Time Traveling Twins)
by Diane Stanley & Peter Vennema. Wonderful color paintings by Peter Vennema and fascinating mosaic cover art by Diane Stanley Vennema. Condition: NEW 2009 HarperCollins large soft cover, 9th printing. Content: The dazzling Egyptian queen proves a fertile subject for Stanley and Vennema, who have produced notable biographies of Queen Elizabeth, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and others. Here they make a seemingly effortless leap into ancient times, masterfully relating Cleopatra's life story through words and pictures. A succinct preface places the tale in historical context, noting that much of what is known about Cleopatra is based on legend or gossip--and that most accounts of her life were penned by her enemies. Stanley includes occasional quotes from the writings of Plutarch as she ably distills complex political machinations as well as the particulars of Cleopatra's often enigmatic private life, including her banishment from Alexandria and her fateful love for first Julius Caesar and then Mark Antony. Vennema's stunning gouache paintings spotlight the artist's trademark, period detail--attention is lavished upon simulating mosaics, for example, which serve as background for the text blocks. This peerless author/artist team makes the captivating, ultimately tragic Cleopatra seem astoundingly real. Bibliography and Pronunciation Guide. Ages 7-up. [1 copy available]
$ 4.99 + $ 3.29 media shipping. International shipping available.

DRAGON IN THE ROCKS: A Story Based on the Childhood of the Early Paleontologist Mary Anning
text & great color illustrations by Marie Day. Condition: Very gently pre-read 1994 Owl hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), first printing. No major problems - just pre-read. Content: From the book: Mary Anning was a real person. With the help of her mother she continued to search for fossils, and she spent the rest of her life digging in the cliffs at Lyme Regis for mysterious creatures from the past. If you go to the Natural History Museum in London, look for a creature with teeth like razors and an eye much bigger than your mother's biggest plate; and if the creature is longer than four men put together and has flippers shaped like paddles, then you too have found Mary's dragon in the rocks. This is the story of her first find - an Ichthyosaur - a giant fish-lizard that lived in the ocean millions of years ago. Neat book for budding scientists. [1 copy available]
$ 3.69 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

GOD BLESS THE CHILD
words & music by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. Warm, appropriate color illustrations by Jerry Pinkney. Condition: NEW 2000 HarperCollins large soft cover, first printing. Content: A moving visual interpretation of Holiday and Herzog's swing spiritual based on the proverb, "God blessed the child that's got his own." The song serves as the inspiration for Pinkney's depiction of the Great Migration of the 1930s. Through evocative images, the artist tells the story of one family's move north. The warm and sweeping illustrations are masterful, completely filling each spread. Although the pages are rich in detail, the well-composed paintings never seem cluttered or overwhelming. There is something new to attract readers, even after several readings. The sense of the family members as a unit, as well as their emotions of hope, anxiety, and relief, are all beautifully conveyed. While a fine choice for independent reading, this title is particularly poignant when shared with a group. An author's note provides background about Pinkney's inspirations and research. This offering makes an excellent tie-in to units on African-American history. [2 copies available]
$ 5.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

GOOD QUEEN BESS; The Story of Elizabeth I of England
written by Diane Stanley & Peter Vennema. Lovely, historically accurate color illustrations by Diane Stanley. Condition: NEW 2001 HarperCollins hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first thus, first printing. Content: Grade 5 Up-- This is not a new edition, but basically a "reprint" by another publisher with a new DJ and cover. That most wise and wily queen of England, Elizabeth I, is the subject of this picture biography. The handsome illustrations, exemplified by the visualization of those small English boats set afire and launched to face the Spanish Armada, are worthy of their subject. Although the format suggests a picture-book audience, this biography needs to be introduced to older readers who have the background to appreciate and understand this woman who dominated and named an age, and of whom the authors write, "When it came to a clash of wills, the two houses of Parliament and all her councillors were no match for Elizabeth." The text is clearly written, explaining the main events and key decisions of Elizabeth's life and reign (1533 - 1603). For readers wanting more depth, a short bibliography of mostly adult titles ends the book. With their attention to period detail--most strikingly the elaborate Elizabethan dress, jewels and palace furnishings--Stanley's paintings transport readers back to an intriguing era. A wonderful book! [1 copy available]
$ 6.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) [Inscribed by Author]
by Joyce Carol Thomas. Beautiful soft award-winning color illustrations by Floyd Coooper. Condition: PLEASE READ. INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR. UNREAD 1997 HarperCollins hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), third printing. DJ shows light edge wear and has the seal of the Coretta Scott King Award. Inscribed on top of title page. Content: Inspired by her own family's history, Thomas's stirring picture book explores the little-known experiences of African American pioneers who settled in Oklahoma during the late 1800s. This moving, poetic account of a brave black woman who stakes a claim "where the cottonwood trees are innocent/ Where the coyote's call is a lullaby at night/ And the land runs on forever" offers a new perspective on an era otherwise well-documented in picture books and school texts. In almost palpable imagery, Thomas describes the natural beauty of a bold new frontier as well as the hopeful, strong and passionate people who created new lives there and realized their dreams. In his third collaboration with Thomas, Cooper (Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea, Gingerbread Days), an Oklahoma native, completes the mood with his signature grainy, dreamy oil-wash portraits. His landscapes, dotted with trees, crops and cabins, glow in soft pink, yellow and brown hues. Scenes of a girl soaring on a homemade swing, neighbors worshipping in the open air and building a log house are particularly uplifting. The book stands alone as a pleasant slice of historical fiction, but will also hold much appeal for teachers and students. Thomas's author's note about the book's origins adds a special resonance to the proceedings. Ages 7-11. [1 copy available]
$ 5.29 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

JOAN OF ARC
by Diane Stanley. Beautiful color illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1999 Scholastic large soft cover, first printing. Tiny edge wear. Content: Reviewer: "Once again, Diane Stanley has brought intriguing facts and interesting tidbits to a book about a well known character, Joan of Arc, which makes the reader interested and excited about the subject, no matter what age he or she might be. Joan was born an illiterate, peasant daughter of a leader in a French village during the time of the Hundred Years War between France and England. She was highly disciplined in Catholicism, and was often teased about it by her friends. At the age of thirteen, Joan began having visions, while in the family garden, of various Catholic Saints giving her distressing messages and that she needed to act in order to save the French Kingdom. Joan was so convinced and moved by these visions that she took on a life long task of saving the French kingdom, although a woman doing this would have been unheard of at the time. She was eventually captured by the Burgundies that occupied Northern France and handed over to the English for a ransom. She was put on trial by the church for dressing in men's clothing and for acting on her voices and visitations which should have only been heard by members of the clergy. She was found guilty, although she gave clever testimony and was not easily disrupted by tricky questioning, and eventually burned at the stake. Charles, the ruler that Joan help restore to the crown, made it his personal mission to have Joan's trial declared a mistrial sixteen years after her death. This act fueled by his guilt for not negotiating for her release from prison helped her to be declared a saint five hundred years later. This book helps the reader realize that although Joan my have appeared unstable with her visions in modern times, she brought hope and life to a battle that was hopeless leaving many French residents in despair. A note at the end of the book indicates that there have been three theories behind Joan's visions, depending on where one's personal beliefs lie. Included within the book are pronunciations of French names and places and a map, so the reader can follow the path taken by Joan. This book provides interesting and understandable information for readers of all ages, including adults that want a short but informative look into Joan of Arc's life." Questions welcome. [1 copy left.]
$ 3.39 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CRAZY HORSE
by Russell Freedman. B&W maps. B&W illustrations by Amos Bad Heart Bull. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 1997 Scholastic soft cover, first printing. Problem: shelf wear has produced 2 diagonal creases upper back cover corner. Content: An account of the Oglala Sioux leader's life, written with the attention to detail of a historian and the language of a storyteller. Freedman paints the famous warrior's story on a broad canvas, describing the forces (desire for farmland, gold, railroads) that brought increasing numbers of white settlers to the Indian lands. The divisions among and within the tribes in the face of the ever-growing problem are explained, as is Crazy Horse's adamant refusal to give in to either the threats or the treaty offers of the U.S. Army and the government. The climactic battle of the Little Big Horn is described and shown to be the last triumph of the Sioux before they were herded onto reservations, and the last great victory of Crazy Horse before he was pushed to surrender and face his own violent death. Freedman's book is rich in historical background. His focus is on the conflict of two cultures, and in that conflict Crazy Horse plays the role of the tragic hero, resisting the inevitable, fighting for his people's freedom even when he knew the cause was lost. An impressive bibliography is appended. B&W reproductions of Indian pictographs from a collection of drawings by a Sioux artist (Crazy Horse's cousin) decorate and lend authenticity to Freedman's story-a story that is readable and balanced, and one that illuminates an important chapter of American history. [A note: most of the details of Crazy Horse's life are still unknown and up for speculation. This book gives us what is known. And that's good.] Grades 7 +. Questions welcome. (1 copy available) .
$ 5.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

MARIA'S COMET (Based on the life of Maria Mitchell)
by Deborah Hopkinson. Wonderful color illustrations by Deborah Lanino. Condition: NEW 2001 Harcourt Brace soft cover, third printing. School supplemental reading book. Content: "But I want to sail the sea of stars/and learn about the deepest space./Maybe someday, I'll even find a comet." There's a poetic cast and plenty of foreshadowing in this fictionalized first-person account of Maria Mitchell's Nantucket childhood. The girl is much influenced by her astronomer father, who goes up to the roof of their house each night to "sweep the sky" with his telescope. Here her dream of following his avocation is sparked the night her older brother, Andrew, runs away to sea. The gentle story of daily life in Maria's large family features an attic scene in which brother and sister play with the treasures stored in their grandfather's sea chest and read from his trove of books. Warm, deep tones of brown and midnight blue suffuse the soft-edged, full-page acrylic views of the house, sky, and seaside town. Small vignettes nicely reflect added detail on facing pages of text. The well-structured story is fanciful and rich in poetic imagery that will work well for reading aloud. The construct of childhood dreams leading to adult achievement is appealing, as is the portrait of a strong, likable girl knowing her own mind. Children will find the homey detail of supportive family satisfying. The concluding author's note highlights the subject's later accomplishments and explains several astronomical terms used in the narrative. Grades 4+. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

GREGOR MENDEL AND THE ROOTS OF GENETICS
by Edward Edelson. B&W drawings & era photos illustrate. Condition: NEW 2000 Oxford Univ. Press soft cover, second printing. Content: Before Mendel's experiments with plants, there was only folk wisdom and the general acceptance that offspring-plant, animal, and human-resemble their parents. Even at the time of his death in 1884, Mendel's work was not widely known in the scientific community. This biography provides details of the scientist's life and his experiments as well as the political and social context of his times. Sidebars in some of the chapters are listed in the table of contents, making it easy to locate the discussion of such related topics as "Heredity before Mendel," "Mendel and Darwin," "Did Mendel Cheat?" and "The Human Genome Project." A two-page chronology tracks important events in his life and the vital contributions he made to the study of genetics. Black-and-white photographs, reproductions of artwork, and pages from the scientist's notebooks and manuscripts accompany the text. Grades 7 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.29 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

MONTEZUMA AND THE AZTECS (W5 series)
by Mathilde Helly and Remi Courgeon. Wonderful color Codex repros with color photos & detailed drawings. A few B&W reproductions. Condition: UNREAD, but perused, 1996 Henry Holt large hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), firist printing. Content: This book clarifies the differences between Aztec, Mayan, and Inca civilizations, and then discusses Aztec culture, the significance of human sacrifice, the relationships among neighboring towns, European explorers, and Montezuma. Grades 7 and up. Excellent for school libraries and homeschooling. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 18.49 + $ 3.39 media shipping.

MOZART TONIGHT
by Julie Downing. Wonderful color illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1998 Harcourt Brace hardcover (pictorial boards - no DJ), fourth printing. Content: Here's a book that reads like a movie. From the opening shot (an aerial view of the Prague Opera House, lit up for the premiere of Mozart's Don Giovanni ) on to a quick closeup of the composer and his wife, through the long flashback to the composer's birth in Salzburg, remarkable childhood and debt-ridden but immensely creative adult life, readers are treated to a succession of sumptuous visual images, accompanied by an absorbing story line. Downing has chosen to present the tale in the first person, a strategy that slightly blurs the line between biography and fiction, but empowers the subject with a sense of immediacy. Her luminous watercolors are filled with the kinds of detail--architectural fine points, period costume, even the outrageous hairstyles of the day--that are obviously the fruit of extensive research. As an introduction to the man and his music, this is a winner in every way. Ages 5-8. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 8.49 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

MRS. KENNEDY GOES ABROAD
by Vibhuti Patel. Intro by John Kenneth Galbraith. Beautiful color paintings by Jacqueline Duheme. Decorated end pages. Condition: Gently pre-read, IF at all, 1998 Artisan hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. No problems, just may be pre-read. Content: This is a wonderful piece of Camelot for the younger generation - and even adults who remember the magic of the White House then will love this book. Jacqueline Kennedy - American icon and inimitable symbol of strength and beauty. Her majestic elegance is captured in this delightful gift book, Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad, by French painter, illustrator, and lifelong friend of the First Lady, Jacqueline Duheme. When President and Mrs. Kennedy traveled to Paris in 1961 Mme Duheme began painting scenes from their historic trip. These intricate miniatures impressed President Kennedy, and so Mme Duheme offered the series as a gift. Delighted, Mrs. Kennedy, who herself always enjoyed painting as a pastime, invited Mme Duheme to visit her at the White House and in Cape Cod. Later, upon Jacqueline's request, Mme Duheme accompanied the First Lady and her sister Princess Lee Radziwill on their diplomatic tour through India and Pakistan via Rome. From a visit with the pope at the Vatican to a walk through Nehru's gardens, from a camel ride in Karachi to lunch with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace, Mme Duheme illustrated the unforgettable moments of the trip. Now in Mrs. Kennedy Goes Abroad, these exquisite watercolors are published for the first time--along with line drawings, photographs from Mme Duheme's collection, and nostalgic text drawn from the recollections and reportage of the time. Also included is an introduction by John Kenneth Galbraith, who was a personal friend of Mrs. Kennedy's and, as ambassador to India, accompanied her on her 1962 trip. Beautifully designed and printed, this intimate portrait is a treasure for all those who appreciate the style and grace of the Kennedy era. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 7.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

MY BROTHER MARTIN: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Christine King Farris. Wonderful color illustrations by Chris Soentpiet. Condition: NEW 2003 Scholastic soft cover, 5th printing. Tiny tiny edge wear. Content: In the straightforward style of a master storyteller, Farris recalls the birth of her two younger brothers and relates anecdotes that demonstrate both the mischievous exploits of the siblings and the love and understanding that permeated the close-knit multigenerational family in which they grew up. Using plain language, she describes conditions in the South during her childhood that separated blacks and whites- "Because they just don't understand that everyone is the same, but someday, it will be better." From their father's church sermons and his actions when confronting the hatred and bigotry, the children learned the importance of standing up for justice and equality. The warmth of the text is exquisitely echoed in Soentpiet's realistic, light-filled watercolor portraits set in the King home, in their Atlanta neighborhood, and at Ebenezer Baptist Church. The simple directness of this short biography will help young children understand the concept of segregation and the importance of Dr. King's message. An appended poem by Mildred D. Johnson reflects Farris's own message: "-it is important for young people to realize the potential that lies within each of them-." This outstanding book belongs in every collection. Ages 9 - 12. [1 copy left].
$ 2.69 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

PAINTING THE WILD FRONTIER: The Art and Adventures of George Catlin
by Susanna Reich. B&W photos & era paintings illustrate. Condition: This is an Uncorrected Proof - a Review Copy. Everything is here but the full-color paintings. 2008 Clarion soft cover. As of this date, there is no softcover edition of this book. Content: Using primary sources, including Catlin's own diaries and letters, Reich helps readers understand the importance of the artist's work and to see him as a man in his own time. The personal documents expose both selfless and selfish sides of his character. At times, he was sensitive to the Native peoples and their cultures, but he also used them for his own gain. Readers also see the artist as a neglectful family man and less-than-successful businessman; however, above all, Catlin is seen as an adventurer. Many of his paintings illustrate the text and add to a sense of excitement. Other period works are also included. All are well captioned with additional identification and information that ties in to the text. Quotations are carefully documented in chapter footnotes. The author's note explains her choice of terminology and spelling as well as her efforts to avoid cultural bias in writing this book. [1 copy available.]
$ 4.49 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

QUANAH PARKER: Warrior for Freedom, Ambassador for Peace (A Great Episodes Book) [Biographical Novel]
by Len Hilts. Wendell Minor cover illustration. Condition: UNREAD 1988 Odyssey Trade Paperback, first printing. Light edgewear-shelfwear. Interior clean and tight. Content: Quanah Parker, the son of a Comanche chief and a white woman (Cynthia Ann Parker), became a great chief who valiantly led his people in an attempt to save their homeland. He was the symbol of the Comanches, a man first feared then respected by the people he fought. Reviewer: "Hilts gives us a story-form report of the key events in the life of Quanah Parker. Parker led his people from war to peace in a settlement of ongoing disputes with Texas and the United States, successfully transitioning from the traditonal plains migratory living to settled farming and business, becoming an able advocate for his people against the further cultural and geographic hegemony of the US in. Parker became the first Native American to invest in a railroad, being one of the founder owners of the Quanah, Acme and Pacific Railway." Young Adults. [1 copy available]
$ 5.59 + $ 2.94 media shipping.

PETER THE GREAT
by Diane Stanley. Ornate, colorful and detailed illustrations by the Author. Condition: UNREAD 1986 Morrow Junior Books soft cover, no printing given. I believe this particular printing to be later than 1986, but. . . Content: This profusely illustrated biography has a moderate amount of good-sized text and at least one illustration on every two-page spread. Stanley's fine illustrations of Tsar Peter and his Russia are vivid and uncluttered, yet still give a sense of the ornate formality of the royal surroundings and attire. That Stanley concentrates on the extraordinary achievements of Peter the Great is not surprising, but the omission of some basic biographical data is a problem. Peter's ascent to the throne is presented as without difficulty, when it was actually a struggle for power among Peter, his half-brother Ivan, and his half-sister Sophia. The bitter upheavals caused by Peter's attempt to reform the church and limit its influence is reduced to the Tsar taxing long beards at court; his desire to establish Russia as a seapower is based on a pleasant sailing experience, instead of the military defeat at Azov that made Peter acknowledge his nation's lack of adequate sea vessels and ports. Peter's accomplishments are highlighted, while the measures he took to achieve such sweeping reforms are given attention. Peter's childhood, his love of sailing, traveling across Europe in disguiseare described in an effort to make this complex historical figure accessible to the primary/middle grade age group, and in this Stanley is successful. [While the uglier side of Peter is not presented here, the "good" intro to this man for young children is appropriate, IMHO.] Grades 3 - 5. [1 copy available.]
$ 3.58 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE RAUCOUS ROYALS: Test your Royal Wits: Crack Codes, Solve Mysteries, and Deduce Which Royal Rumors are True
by Carlyn Beccia. Clever, detailed, fun color illustrations by the Author. Condition: NEW 2008 Houghton Mifflin hardcover (pictorial boards) & DJ (in mylar jacket), first printing. Content: Grade 4–8—This lighthearted look at historical rumors about European rulers from Vlad Dracula to George III is full of humor, interesting facts, and insightful perspectives. Some of the rumors turn out to be true (Henry VIII's weight), some are false (Louis XIV's bathing habits), and several are still undecided (Richard III as a murderer). Examining their veracity is a clever hook that leads into a fascinating look at how gossip, literature, and other unreliable sources can be taken as truth over time. The author provides just enough introductory context and shares well-chosen anecdotes and facts in an engaging conversational style. Varied approaches keep each section fresh: a mock casebook presents the "rumor suspects" regarding the death of Catherine the Great, for example, and opposing arguments from fictional historians show both sides of the question of Peter the Great's actual "greatness." Comic portraits and other illustrations add to the irreverent tone. Mary I reaches from her picture frame to grab the crown of Elizabeth in one scene, and a lineup of males against a wall demonstrates Napoleon's taller-than-average stature, among other funny examples. The conclusion offers tips on how to use research to gauge the accuracy of historical rumors, and a bibliography cites multiple sources for each figure covered in the book. This humorous approach to history has strong booktalk potential, and also serves as a compelling introduction to the notion that separating fact from fiction can be challenging and fun. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.89 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

SHOELESS JOE & BLACK BETSY [INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR] (Texas Bluebonnet Award Winner)
by Phil Bildner. Earthy color illustrations by C.F. Payne. Condition: INSCRIBED BY AUTHOR (To "name" only, signature, & date) NEW 2006 Aladdin large soft cover, first printing. CONTENT: Based on a true story. One of baseball's greats receives star treatment in this compelling book. Shortly before "Shoeless Joe" Jackson (so named for having played a game in his stocking feet) joins the minors, he falls into a slump, and out of desperation ends up in the workshop of "the finest bat smith in all of South Carolina." Joe names the bat Ol' Charlie Ferguson makes for him Betsy ("Pitchers are going to honor and respect this bat the way they respect the flag Betsy Ross created," the hero states), but the slump continues. So does the partnership between the two men as Ol' Charlie refines the bat's design it's remade from the "north side of a hickory tree" and rubbed down with tobacco juice so it will be "dark and scary-looking" and Joe learns how to massage it with sweet oil and keep it wrapped in cotton ("Cotton will make Black Betsy feel right at home in Cleveland," Ol' Charlie tells him). Finally Betsy takes him to the major leagues and his finest season ever. Rookie Bildner hits a home run here, zeroing in on the bat as just the right lens through which to view his picture book biography. He strews the conversational prose with appealing colloquialisms in a catchy refrain ("sure as the sky is blue and the grass is green"). Payne's portraits take on a tall-tale quality suffused with nostalgia; his strong-featured characters offer a riveting blend of humor and gravity. An afterword fills in the details of Jackson's life and career, including the 1919 Black Sox scandal. Ages 5-8. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.50 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

THE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES
by Robert Coles. Warm & appropriate color illustrations by George Ford. Condition: NEW 1996 Scholastic soft cover, 23rd printing. Content: Sustained by family and faith, one brave six-year-old child found the strength to walk alone through howling protesters and enter a whites-only school in New Orleans in 1960. Ruby Bridges did it every day for weeks that turned into months. The white parents withdrew their kids, and Ruby sat alone with her teacher in an empty classroom in an empty building and learned her lessons. Harvard professor Cole has written powerful adult books about children in crisis and about children's moral and political lives. Here he tells one girl's heroic story, part of the history of ordinary people who have changed the world. He tells it quietly, as an adult, and the simplicity is moving, though kids might want some indication of Ruby's personal experience, what it was like to be her. Ford's moving watercolor paintings mixed with acrylic ink are predominantly in sepia shades of brown and red. They capture the physical warmth of Ruby's family and community, the immense powers against her, and her shining inner strength. Ages 5 - 9. The 1998 made-for-TV movie was directed by Euzhan Palcy and starred, Kevin Pollak, Penelope Ann Miller, Chaz Monet, Michael Beach, & Diana Scarwid. [1 copy available]
$ 3.49 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

SURVIVING HITLER: A Boy in the Nazi Death Camps
by Andrea Warren. B&W era photos illustrate. Condition: NEW 2002 HarperTrophy soft cover, no printing given. Content: Through the words and memories of Jack Mandelbaum, Warren presents a harrowing account of a Jewish boy's experience in Nazi prison camps. Mandelbaum had lived a comfortable life with his family in Gdynia, Poland, until the German invasion forced them to flee to a relative's village in 1939. Later, when the Jews were sent to concentration camps, the 12-year-old became separated from the rest of his family and wound up in the Blechhammer camp. By describing events through the boy's voice, the author does an excellent job of letting his words carry the power of the story. She avoids historical analysis, sticking to Mandelbaum's experiences, and brings readers into the nightmarish world of the concentration camp with a strong feeling of immediacy. As with many stories of great suffering, some of the minor details, such as risking death to steal a jar of marmalade, deliver the most impact. Besides the physical hardship, Warren conveys how frustrating and confusing it was for a child in such an environment. Once liberated, the young man learned the sad fate of his family and as he ironically observed, had he known his parents and siblings would not survive, he might not have struggled so hard to live himself. Black-and-white contemporary photographs illustrate the book. Grade 6 & up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR'S NIBBLES & ME
written & illustrated by Elizabeth Taylor. Adorable color illustrations plus B&W photos & movie stills. Remainder. Condition: NEW 2002 Simon & Schuster small hardcover & DJ (in mylar jacket), first thus, first printing. Content: In 1946, Elizabeth Taylor -- then fourteen and a major star at MGM -- published a book about her pet chipmunk, Nibbles. With wit, charm, and remarkable skill, she related the adventures and mishaps of her high-spirited friend. She and Nibbles were virtually inseparable during the shooting of National Velvet and other films; in fact the chipmunk almost got to appear in Courage of Lassie -- but he was so well behaved that he didn't look real, and his scene was cut! Recounted here are such stories as the happiest birthday of her life, when she was given King Charles, the horse who was called The Pi in National Velvet, because only Elizabeth could ride him. Long out of print, this enchanting memoir is available once again with Miss Taylor's original illustrations (including previously unpublished drawings from her private collection), photos of Elizabeth Taylor and Nibbles on and off the set, and a new introduction by the legendary actress. Children will love the story of a girl and her pet; older readers will appreciate the insight into young Elizabeth Taylor's life that this book provides. Ages 9 - 12. [1 copy available]
$ 5.89 + $ 3.19 media shipping. International shipping available.

TO BE A PRINCESS: The Fascinating Lives of Real Princesses
by Hugh Brewster and Laurie Coulter. Beautiful, historicall accurate and detailed color paintings by Laurie McGaw. Condition: UNREAD, but not perfect, 2002 Scholastic large soft cover, first printing. Light edge wear with very very light shelf wear. Interior perfect. Content: This is an excellent series of mini-bios for young ladies and also an excellent homeschooling tool. The lives of these princesses is more fascinating than any fairy tale. Magnificient palaces - golden coaches - glittering court balls - a stunning wardrobe - are all part of a royal princess's world. But sometimes war, revolution, and tragedy are part of it as well. The stories of 12 real princesses show us what life is really like behind the palace walls. Princess lives: Elizabeth and Mary Tudor, England; Marie Antoinette of Austria & France; Queen Victoria of England; Ka'iulani of Hawaii; Czar's daughters (Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia, & Nikolayevna) of Russia; Gayatri Devi of India; and Princesses Elizabeth & Margaret Rose of England. Thre is also a Glossary, Bibliography, and Epilogue. I love this book.! Ages 8+. . Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 5.00 + $ 3.19 media shipping.

WARRIORS DON'T CRY: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High
by Melba Pattillo Beals. B&W photo section. Norman Rockwell cover art. Condition: NEW 1994 Washington Square Trade Paperback, 7th printing. 40th Anniversary Edition. Remainder mark bottom edges. Content: The author forcefully recalls how, at age 15, she and several other black teenagers were chosen to integrate Little Rock's Central High following the passage of Brown v. Board of Education. Beals, one of the nine black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, AR, in 1957, tells an incredible story of faith, family love, friendships, and strong personal commitment. Drawing from the diaries she kept, the author easily puts readers in her saddle oxfords as she struggles against those people in both the white and black communities who would have segregation continue. Her prose does not play on the sympathy of readers; it simply tells it like it happened. She shares the physical, mental, and emotional torture and abuse she suffered at the hands of teenagers and adults. She also shares the support, the encouragement, and the help she received from both whites and blacks. While the book's length may discourage younger readers, those who begin it will find the reading easy and fast. Should be required reading! Grade 7 and up. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.59 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

WHAT MR DARWIN SAW
by Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom. Wonderful clver and detailed color illustrations by the Authors. Condition: UNREAD 2011 Natural History Museum/Frances Lincoln Children's Books paperback, 5th printing. Content: In 1831, at only 22 years old, Darwin was offered the position of Naturalist on HMS Beagle's world voyage. He was set to become a clergyman but returns after five years at sea an inspired genius. This book follows the journey of HMS Beagle, showing life on-board the ship for Darwin, the captain, crew and the expedition's artist. The reader sees Darwin discovering and observing insect life in Brazil, fossils in Argentina , earthquakes in Chile and turtles in the Galapagos Islands. The reader is therefore able to follow the steps which led to Darwin's inspired theory of evolution, while also showing the adventures and escapades he had during the voyage. A fascinating and colorful story of Darwin's life, this book also introduces young readers to one of the world's most important scientists and his discoveries. It concludes with a simple explanation of the theory of evolution. Written by an outstanding team in the field of children's non-fiction, this is a book to enlighten and inspire young readers. Don't believe in evolution? Take a pass on this book. Great look at Darwin's time on the Beagle and the lands to which he traveled. Questions welcome. [1 copy available]
$ 3.78 + $ 3.09 media shipping.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT ALICE?
by Barbara Kerley. Colorful and fun illustrations by Edwin Fotheringham. Condition: NEW 2008 Scholastic soft cover, second printing. Content: Theodore Roosevelt had a small problem. Her name was Alice. Alice Lee Roosevelt was hungry to go places, meet people, do things. Father called it running riot. Alice called it eating up the world. Whether she was entertaining important White House visitors with her pet snake or traveling the globe, Alice bucked convention and turned every new experience into an adventure! Brimming with affection and wit, this spirited biography gives readers a peek family life inside the White House. Prose and pictures spring, gambol, and two-step across the pages to celebrate a maverick American heroine. Alice also threw water bombs at reporters from an upstairs window and she had a color (Alice Blue) named for her and a song also (Alice Blue Gown). In later years, she was still a Washington force. Her most well-known quote was: "If you can't say something nice about people, come sit next to me." I loved Alice at all ages! Ages 7+. [1 copy available]
$ 5.50 + $ 3.29 media shipping.

KIDS READING BY A TREE BOOKPLATES
art by Illoguy. Condition: NEW package of 12 bookplates made by pacaritambo books. The peel-off label stock is heavier than most bookplate materials and is matte and not glossy. They are as perfect as possible, and we feel the subject matter is much different than you can get anywhere else. 4.0 wide x 3.0 high. Content: Two kids (a boy and a girl) spending a summer afternoon reading under an oak tree. (A good thing to do.) We can personalize your bookplate (the font is Kids) - just email us the name. Any questions, click here to email us.
$ 4.00 + $ 2.85 first class shipping. International shipping available.