Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Samuel Collier is a lowly commoner on the streets of London. So when he becomes the page of Captain John Smith and boards the Susan Constant, bound for the New World, he can’t believe his good fortune. He’s heard that gold washes ashore with every tide. But beginning with the stormy journey and his first contact with the native people, he realizes that the New World is nothing like he imagined. The lush Virginia shore where they…

Synopsis: When Martin Luther King grew up in the South, black people were treated very badly. They had to go to separate schools. They could only ride in the back of the bus. In many places, they were not allowed to vote. Even as a young boy, Martin knew this was wrong. And when he grew up, he did something about it. He made speeches. He led marches. He made everyone think about what was fair.

Synopsis: Lyrical, breathtaking, splendid—words used to describe Allen Say’s Grandfather’s Journey when it was first published. At once deeply personal yet expressing universally held emotions, this tale of one man’s love for two countries and his constant desire to be in both places captured readers’ attention and hearts. Winner of the 1994 Caldecott Medal, it remains as historically relevant and emotionally engaging as ever.

Synopsis: ETHEL IS 10 YEARS OLD in 1901 when her family’s life changed forever. Suddenly, Father is not only a famous cowboy, war hero, and politician, but also President Theodore Roosevelt, leader of the United States—and Ethel has a new place to call home. The White House is older and stuffier than Ethel imagined, but there’s never a dull moment with her adventurous family around. Ethel would love to spend every day following Father on horseback rides…

Synopsis: This warm and lovely little picture book tells the story of Amelia Earhart as a young girl, growing up with an unconventional dream of flying a plane. The illustrations perfectly capture the spirit of the times, while the biographical details and lyrical text make the story of Amelia Earhart accessible to today's youngest high-flyers.

Synopsis: In this chilling Gothic tale from ghost story master Mary Downing Hahn, an orphan girl sent to live in Crutchfield Hall finds the place haunted by the ghost of her cousin Sophia, who is bent on revenge. Twelve-year-old Florence looks forward to a new life with her great uncle and aunt at Crutchfield Hall, certain it's bound to be better than the grim orphanage she has lived in since her parents' death. But Florence doesn't expect the ghost of…

Synopsis: High-interest biographies focus on what's most intriguing to the young reader -- the childhood and young-adult years of famous men and women.

Synopsis: Famous for helping maintain peace between the English colonists and Native Americans, this brave Indian woman befriended the settlers of Jamestown, saving the life of their leader, Captain John Smith, whom she later married. Full-color illustrations.

Synopsis: Travel with Jack and Annie to the deep, dark ocean to encounter the stealthiest of underwater predators: the shark! Jack and Annie are going on vacation! Or so they think. Teddy, the young sorcerer, has promised them a relaxing time off the coast of Mexico. The magic tree house whisks them away to a beautiful sandy beach, and Jack and Annie are ready to raft on the ocean waves. But when a hungry shark attacks, their dream vacation turns into a…

Synopsis: A young girl's courage is tested in this haunting, wordless story. When a farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in the barn, she is at once startled and frightened. But the stranger's fearful eyes weigh upon her conscience, and she must make a difficult choice. Will she have the courage to help him? Unspoken gifts of humanity unite the girl and the runaway as they each face a journey: one following the North Star, the other following her…

Synopsis: The Newbery Honor Book and New York Times Bestseller that is historical fiction with a hint of mystery about living at Alcatraz not as a prisoner, but as a kid meeting some of the most famous criminals in our history. Al Capone Does My Shirts has become an instant classic for all kids to read! Today I moved to Alcatraz, a twelve-acre rock covered with cement, topped with bird turd and surrounded by water. I'm not the only kid who lives here.…

Synopsis: A straightforward biography about Harriet Tubman's struggles and success for both civil and women's rights.With a forward-thinking attitude, Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and risked her life countless times to help free 70 others. She became monumental in both the civil rights movement and the women's suffrage movement. Kids will be inspired by this icon's tireless work to create a better America. This series features full-color illustrated…

Synopsis: The bestselling novel based on the true story of a boy in Brooklyn who became neighbors and friends with his hero, Jackie Robinson.Stephen Satlow is an eight-year-old boy living in Brooklyn, New York, which means he only cares about one thing-the Dodgers. Steve and his father spend hours reading the sports pages and listening to games on the radio. Aside from an occasional run-in with his teacher, life is pretty simple for Steve.But then Steve…

Synopsis: Who's that walking along the Ohio? It's Johnny Appleseed! He walks across the land, planting trees wherever he goes. So, everyone, clap your hands for Johnny Appleseed!

Synopsis: In 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States. He has been called the father of our country for leading America through its early years. Washington also served in two major wars during his lifetime: the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. With over 100 black-and-white illustrations, Washington's fascinating story comes to life - revealing the real man, not just the face on the dollar bill!

Synopsis: A castle looms dark against the light of the moon. No candles burn in its windows. No laughter rings through its halls. What has happened to the castle and the people who lived there? Merlin the magician asks Jack and Annie to find out. But are they brave enough to step through the creeking doors and solve the mystery of how the castle became haunted?

Synopsis: In this sequel to Dinosaurs before Dark (1992) and The Knight at Dawn (1993), Jack and Annie return to the mysterious, book-filled tree house that transports them through time and space. For this adventure, they select a story on Ancient Egypt and travel back to the pyramid of Queen Hutepi, who needs help finding her copy of the Book of the Dead for a journey through the underworld. This story, like most series books, is heavy on suspense and…

Synopsis: Engaging 16-page books on must-know, inspiring Americans. Features lively text, captions, realistic illustrations, glossaries, diagrams, and more. Correlate with Guided Reading Levels I and J. For use with Grades K-2.