Synopsis: A fun historic tale by Newbery Honor-winning author, Jean Fritz!No matter how busy he was, Ben Franklin always found time to try out new ideas: a remote-control lock (so he could lock his door without getting out of bed), a rocking chair with a fan over it (to keep flies away), and a windmill (to turn his roast meat on its spit). Aside from being a mad of ideas, he was an ambassador to England, a printer, an almanac maker, a politician, and even…

Synopsis: A biography examining the life of Benjamin Franklin and his leadership as a statesman, scientist, inventor, and printer. Written in graphic-novel format.

Synopsis: Tells the life story of President Thomas Jefferson, the individual who authored the Declaration of Independence. Written in graphic-novel format.

Synopsis: Filled with archival photographs and amazing facts, this groundbreaking series introduces young readers to some of history's most interesting and influential characters. The series now features a refreshed design, taking the series' original look in a more modern direction. DK Biography: Thomas Edison tells the story of the famous inventor, from his childhood as an "addled" student, to his reign as the "Wizard of Menlo Park," where he developed…

Synopsis: From the critically acclaimed author of Float comes a new whirlwind adventure about a pair of kids who must break all the rules of time travel, perfect for fans of Gordon Korman and John David Anderson. Regan Fitz and Elliot Mason have been enemies since they started training to become Glitchers--people who travel through time to preserve important historical events. But everything changes when they find a letter from Regan's future self,…

Synopsis: In a unique mix of fact and fiction, this is the dramatic story of the Underground Railroad as seen through the eyes of two young girls--Eliza, a runaway slave, and Johanna, whose family gives her refuge. Kids will learn about life on a cotton plantation and about abolitionists who fought to have slavery made illegal. Activities include making a tin can lantern and locating the North Star, which guided many slaves to freedom. Beautifully…

Synopsis: The dramatic and unforgettable story of a girl and a family caught up in the turbulent days of the Depression from Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott Kind Award-winner Christopher Paul Curtis. "We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful." This is the motto of Deza Malone's family, but the road is getting rocky.     Deza is the smartest girl in her class, singled out by teachers for a special path in life. But the Great Depression hit…

Synopsis: "This biography. . . tells the familiar, moving story of the determination of Louis Braille, who did more than anyone is history to bring blind people into the mainstream of life . . . Rigidly rendered b&w illustrations make the setting of the story real; useful diagrams of Braille's alphabet and the slate and stylus used to write are included . . . "--"Kirkus Reviews."

Synopsis: Anne Frank lived a life filled with the enthusiasms and hopes shared by many young women coming into adulthood. But the times Anne lived in and wrote of in her diary made her simple life extraordinary. In over one hundred photographs, many which have never been published, this poignant memoir brings to life the harrowing story of one young Jewish woman's struggle to survive during a period of history which must never be forgotten."All libraries…

Synopsis: Named Temujin at birth by his nomadic family in early Mongolia, the great Genghis Khan used his skill and cunning to create the Mongol Empire and conquer almost the entire continent of Asia. As ruler of the largest empire in human history, he was as respected as he was feared. Learn more about the man and the legend in Who Was Genghis Khan?

Synopsis: Sun-hee and her older brother, Tae-yul, live in Korea with their parents. Because Korea is under Japanese occupation, the children study Japanese and speak it at school. Their own language, their flag, the folktales Uncle tells them--even their names--are all part of the Korean culture that is now forbidden. When World War II comes to Korea, Sun-hee is surprised that the Japanese expect their Korean subjects to fight on their side. But the…

Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Albert Trask is going home to America--on the "Titanic!" Albert's bossy grandmother is forcing his widowed mother to return from England, where she took her chidren after their father died. Neither Mother nor Virginia, Albert's spoiled little sister, is very happy about the voyage. But nobody can dampen Albert's enthusiasm about sailing on the biggest, most luxurious ocean liner ever built--not even Emily, a know-it-all girl…

Synopsis: Hear the delightful tale of America's first jack-of-all-trades. Printer, inventor, scientist, and statesman, Ben Franklin did it all during our nation's infancy. His story is told using Fanklin's own newspaper articles and personal recollections.

Synopsis: Young readers will delight in interesting, fact-filled accounts of the lives of famous Americans. Full-color photographs highlight the easy-to-read volumes on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln, among others. Each book includes an index, bibliography, glossary.

Synopsis: In this essential autobiographical account by one of the Civil Rights Movement’s most powerful figures, Melba Pattillo Beals of the Little Rock Nine explores not only the oppressive force of racism, but the ability of young people to change ideas of race and identity. In 1957, well before Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Melba Pattillo Beals and eight other teenagers became iconic symbols for the Civil Rights Movement and the…

Synopsis: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 in British-occupied India. Though he studied law in London and spent his early adulthood in South Africa, he remained devoted to his homeland and spent the later part of his life working to make India an independent nation. Calling for non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights around the world. Gandhi is recognized internationally as a…

Synopsis: Black-and-white illustrations on every spread and a lower reading level than other biographies in this age group makes this a highly accessible biography for upper elementary students.

Synopsis: The Golden Gate Bridge. The impossible bridge, some call it. They say it can't be built. But Robert's father is building it. He's a skywalker--a brave, high-climbing ironworker. Robert is convinced his pop has the most important job on the crew . . . until a frightening event makes him see that it takes an entire team to accomplish the impossible. When it was completed in 1937, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge was hailed as an international…

Synopsis: Long ago, in 1845, a young girl named Gretchen and her family were on their way west. One day, the horse Gretchen was riding strayed far away from the wagon train. Gretchen was lost and all alone. But then a magnificent white stallion appeared. And Gretchen knew she didn't have to be afraid, because the beautiful horse would show her the way back home.

Synopsis: From the time she was a little girl, Florence Nightingale knew she wanted to help people.Fact-filled Rookie Read-About Biographies introduce the youngest readers to influential women and men, both past and present. Colorful photos and age appropriate text encourage children to read on their own-as they learn about people like Serena Williams, Neil Armstrong, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank and many more. As a nurse, Nightingale worked hard to change…