Books » Children's History & Historical Fiction

Two years after being airlifted out of war-torn Vietnam, Matt Pin is haunted: by bombs that fell like dead crows, by the family -- and the terrible secret -- he left behind. Now, inside a caring adoptive home in the United States, a series of profound events force him to choose between silence and candor, blame and forgiveness, fear and freedom. By turns harrowing, dreamlike, sad, and triumphant, this searing debut novel, written in lucid verse, reveals an unforgettable perspective on the lasting impact of war and the healing power of love.

Coming to America is the story of a family of immigrants who are eager to come to America. After traveling from their homeland and arriving in America, they find that they cannot keep their eyes off the Statue of Liberty with its promises and hopes for the future. Certain that they will have a better life in America, the family finds the Statue of Liberty to be a symbol of their dreams. 20pp.

In The Liberty Bell: Saving the Sound of Freedom, the Mickley family realizes that they might be the only ones that can save the important Old State House Bell as they run from the British. Though they risk their lives and must leave most of their belongings behind, they know that they have an important job to do. Based on actual events, this script brings the importance of the Liberty Bell to life. 20pp.

The Civil War has ended and Patsy Berry, a former slave, eagerly awaits the return of her husband, Hiram, but soon learns that his military service has been extended. Patsy is determined to succeed despite Hiram's absence and an encounter with an unscrupulous carpetbagger. The Civil Was has ended and Patsy Berry, a former slave, eagerly awaits the return of her husband, Hiram, but soon learns that his military service has been extended. Patsy is determined to succeed despite Hiram's absence and an encounter with an unscrupulous carpetbagger.

It's 1922, and thirteen-year-old Woodrow Harper has moved with his widowed mother to his father's hometown of Lawton, Oklahoma. Perhaps here he will be able to find the closeness to his father that eluded him when his father was alive. He is befriended by his new next-door neighbor, a powerful state senator who becomes the father figure Woodrow always wanted, who understands him in a way his own father never did. The senator introduces Woodrow to the "best" people in town, but Woodrow soon realizes the "best" people have some terrible secrets, and to be accepted by them he has to do things that make him abandon his own values, culminating in a terrifying act of violence close to home.

Chile's good, so is barbecue, but nothing's finer than FANDANGO STEW!No money No problem! In this sunny, funny western-style take on the famous folktale Stone Soup, two penniless but wily vaqueros (cowboys) trick a whole town into cooking a giant pot of stew for everyone to share. David Davis's deliciously colorful language and Ben Galbraith's delightful illustrations make this picture book a tasty confection. Key Selling Points:A great read-aloud trickster taleAward-winning author whose books have twice appeared on the Children's Choice Top 100 list Offers a gentle message about sharing and community-buildingAbout the AuthorDAVID DAVIS's picture books include Texas Zeke and the Longhorn, Librarian's Night Before Christmas, and A Southern Child's Garden of Verses. His Jazz Cats, and Ten Redneck Babies were both named to the Children's Choice Top 100 list. An active presenter at schools, conferences, and libraries, David lives in FORT WORTH, TEXAS. Learn more about him at www.davidrdavis.com.About the illustratorBEN GALBRAITH is author and illustrator of The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff, praised by PW: Working very much in the vein of Lane Smith, Galbraith produces a book both visually hip and handsome. Ben lives in NEW ZEALAND. Find out more at www.bengalbraith.co.nz.

Louisa May Alcott's classic novel, set during the Civil War, has always captivated even the most reluctant readers. Little girls, especially, love following the adventures of the four March sisters-Meg, Beth, Amy, and most of all, the tomboy Jo-as they experience the joys and disappointments, tragedies and triumphs, of growing up. This simpler version captures all the charm and warmth of the original.

Wolves, bears, and a heavy snowstorm are just some of the dangers that Daniel and Will must face&150alone. It's 1803, and the boys and their father have recently arrived in Ohio, following the promise of rich farmland. After clearing enough forest to build a log cabin, Pa sets off for Pennsylvania to fetch the rest of the family, while eleven-year-old Daniel and nine-year-old Will stay behind to watch the land. Pa had planned to return within five or six weeks . . but something must have gone terribly wrong. Now the boys must survive the winter with only an axe, two knives, a sack of cornmeal, and&150most important of all&150their ability to invent and improvise. But are they truly alone in the woods Daniel thinks that someone is watching them . . Jean Van Leeuwen's engrossing novel of pioneer survival is based on a true incident. Readers, especially boys, will be fascinated by the struggles and triumphs of these brave young characters.

Nick was foun aze an wanering on a beach, his memory gone Now he is alone an on the run in the Seventh War of the Lower East Sie-the Bishop's criminal empire, where survival requires both luck an courage Nick gains a foothol when a estitute actor takes him in Soon he meets an extraorinary rat who reas his min an becomes his siekick Then Nick joins the Mongrels, an the five boys get caught in the Bishop's griner-force to commit crimes on eman Escape seems impossible Then Nick hears a rumor about loot from a railroa robbery an sees an opportunity His little siekick challenges him to be a captain Nick steps up an leas the Mongrels in a aring plan that takes them into an abanone tunnel Will the plan succee Will Nick iscover his lost ientity Part fantasy an part fast-pace action an suspense, this gallery of earthy characters provies a vivi portrayal of the gritty New York unerworl in 1903

Teddy Kennedy was a United States senator who served in the U.S. Senate for forty-six years. Like the rest of the Kennedy family, Teddy was considered American royalty. But before he became the legend we know him to be, he was just a kid living in the shadow of his brothers' success, hoping to someday live up to the Kennedy name. And for a long time, it looked like he might not be able to. Learn how an average kid became an American legend, and how Teddy overcame the odds and left behind one of the most impressive legacies in American history!