Synopsis: The Great Depression hits Harlem and closes the Lafayette Theater, throwing Florrie's actor dad out of work. The only reminder of the Lafayette's glory days is the Tree of Hope growing beside the theater. If a wish is made on the tree, good luck will follow. Florrie and her father wish for better times. When Orson Welles decides to stage "Macbeth" at the Lafayette, it seems their wish may be coming true. Full-color illustrations.

Synopsis: Can Charles Lindbergh set a world record? Follow America's first superstar pilot in this high-flying Totally True Adventure. In the 1920s, flying was brand new--and very dangerous. A $25,000 prize for the first flight from New York to Paris went unclaimed for years. Many teams tried. And many teams failed. Still, Charles Lindbergh felt he had a shot at the prize. He wasn't famous. He wasn't rich. But he was determined. He'd cross the ocean in…

Synopsis: A terrifying attack! On December 7, 1941, Japanese war planes appeared out of nowhere to bomb the American base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. It was a highly secretive and devastating attack: four battleships sunk, more than two thousand servicemen died, and the United States was propelled into World War II. In a compelling, easy-to-read narrative, children will learn all about a pivotal moment in American history.

Synopsis: On August 28, 1963, more than 200,000 people gathered in Washington, DC, to demand equal rights for all races. It was there that Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech, and it was this peaceful protest that spurred the momentous civil rights laws of the mid-1960s. With black-and-white artwork throughout and sixteen pages of photographs, the March is brought to life!

Synopsis: On October 29, 1929, life in the United States took a turn for the worst. The stock market – the system that controls money in America – plunged to a record low. But this event was only the beginning of many bad years to come. By the early 1930s, one out of three people was not working. People lost their jobs, their houses, or both and ended up in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” named for the president at the time of the crash. By 1933, many…

Synopsis: Miri is the non-twin child in a family with two sets of them--older brothers and younger sisters. The family has just moved to an old farmhouse in a new town, where the only good thing seems to be Miri's ten-sided attic bedroom. But when Miri gets sent to her room after accidentally bashing her big brother on the head with a shovel, she finds herself in the same room . . . only not quite. Without meaning to, she has found a way to travel back in…

Synopsis: A tender story about a tough-as-nails girl forced to take one small step towards understanding during the summer of 1969."Muscle Man McGinty is a squirrelly runt, a lying snake, and a pitiful excuse for a ten-year old......the problem is that no one knows it but me. In the entire town of Massapequa Park, only I can see him for what he really is. A phony."Tamara Ann Simpson is determined to expose Muscle Man McGinty, a foster boy new to her…

Synopsis: A Newbery Medal WinnerA Coretta Scott King Award WinnerAn ALA Best Book for Young AdultsAn ALA Notable Chidlren's BookAN IRA Children's Book Award WinnerMotherless Bud shares his amusingly astute rules of life as he hits the road to find the jazz musician he believes is his father. A medley of characters brings Depression-era Michigan to life.

Synopsis: At just 15, her mother, and brother were taken from their Romanian town to the Auschwitz-II/Birkenau concentration camp. When they arrived at Auschwitz, a soldier waved Elly to the right; her mother and brother to the left. She never saw her family alive again. Thanks to a series of miracles, Elly survived the Holocaust.

Synopsis: "A wonderful illustration of what a great game baseball is and how it brings families together. Brothers at Bat is a story any baseball fan will enjoy and one that we all should know." --Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. "A captivating story, impeccable layout, and glorious illustrations make this historical account an unqualified winner." --New York Times Book Review The amazing true story of the longest-running all-brother team in history! Full of…

Synopsis: This is the true story of the renowned African American author Richard Wright and his determination to borrow books from the public library that turned him away because of his color. As a young black man in the segregated South of the 1920s, Wright was hungry to explore new worlds through books, but was forbidden from borrowing them from the library. This touching account tells of his love of reading, and how his unwavering perseverance, along…

Synopsis: A funny and heartwarming middle-grade historical fiction novel about a girl who writes letters to her favorite astronaut as America prepares for the moon landing.It’s 1969 and the country is gearing up for what looks to be the most exciting moment in U.S. history: men landing on the moon. Ten-year-old Mamie’s class is given an assignment to write letters to the astronauts. All the girls write to Neil Armstrong ("So cute!") and all the boys write…

Synopsis: He's endearing. He's funny. He's a survivor. Here comes Hooper, one plucky, spunky dog whose warm spirit and goofy personality are irresistible. Hooper tells his own dramatic rescue tale after being left homeless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and taking a daring trip from New Orleans to New York to meet his new family. He tells of the terrifying force of Katrina, his trials in the shelter, and being the new dog on the block in a city far…

Synopsis: Follow a brother and sister in this coming-of-age tale filled with heart, history, and just the right amount of trouble!When Joey and his sister Mary Alice leave Chicago to spend the summer with their Grandma Dowdel, they expect a quiet visit in a sleepy country town. Instead, they get nine summers of jaw-dropping surprises, laugh-out-loud mischief, and moments that will change them forever. Grandma may be older than dirt and tougher than a…

Synopsis: Illus. in full color. "A compelling account, told in easy-to-read format, ofa sled dog who led his team over 53 miles of Alaska wilderness to delivermedicine during an outbreak of diphtheria in 1925. Cook's softly coloredillustrations enhance the drama of a proud and heroic story that young readersare sure to enjoy."-- "School Library Journal."

Synopsis: Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Join Jack, Annie and the Magic Tree House as they travel to the past on a daring unicorn rescue mission--from the #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time! Jack and Annie must rescue a beautiful magical creature—the unicorn. But when they land in New York City during the Depression of the 1930s, Jack and Annie are confused. Where will they find a unicorn in a big city? Formerly numbered as Magic Tree House #44…

Synopsis: Read the beloved classic that captures the powerful bond between man and man’s best friend. This edition also includes a special note to readers from Newbery Medal winner and Printz Honor winner Clare Vanderpool. Billy has long dreamt of owning not one, but two, dogs. So when he’s finally able to save up enough money for two pups to call his own—Old Dan and Little Ann—he’s ecstatic. It doesn’t matter that times are tough; together they’ll roam…

Synopsis: On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and, to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a "giant leap for mankind." This Eagle Scout built his own model planes as a little boy and then grew up to be a test pilot for experimental aircraft before becoming an astronaut. Over 80 black-and-white illustrations bring Armstrong's story to life.