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: In this book from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Jesse Owens, the great track and field star. Little Jesse, originally J.C., was born in Oakville, Alabama, during segregation. When he was nine, he moved with his parents and nine brothers and sisters to Cleveland, Ohio, to find a better life. There, he found his passion for running, and was making national headlines by high school, where he equaled…

Synopsis: One night while their mom's at work, ten-year-old James and his six-year-old brother, Isaac, leave their house to meet the K-Bones, a group of guys who hang out and do cool stuff. James is ready to prove he's cool enough to be in with them, but he soon learns that the K-Bones are not just an innocent club--they're a gang that steals, tags freeway signs, and even plans to buy a gun. After a dangerous confrontation with a crew of older boys, James…

Synopsis: This spirited collection of poems introduces young readers to Danitra Brown, the most splendiferous girl in town, and her best friend, Zuri Jackson. "The poignant text and lovely pictures are an excellent collaboration, resulting in a look at touching moments of universal appeal."--School Library Journal.

Synopsis: A dynamic and hip collective biography that presents forty-four of America's greatest movers and shakers, from Frederick Douglass to Aretha Franklin to Barack Obama, written by ESPN's TheUndefeated.com and illustrated with dazzling portraits by Rob Ball. Meet forty-four of America's most impressive heroes in this collective biography of African American figures authored by the team at ESPN's TheUndefeated.com. From visionaries to entrepreneurs…

Synopsis: Learn all about the childhood of Jackie Robinson, and how he became all-star in American history as well as baseball!Jack Roosevelt “Jackie” Robinson was the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base on April 15, 1947, ending racial segregation and contributing significantly to the Civil Rights Movement. He went on to have an…

Synopsis: Read about a mom and her daughter who are friends even though they like different things. Includes colorful illustrations, notes to caregivers, notes to readers and author and illustrator profiles.

Synopsis: How did a young boy from Ohio go on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time? Read about the incredible life and career of LeBron James in this addition to the #1 New York Times best-selling Who Was? series.Today, LeBron James is an international superstar who has won four NBA Championships, earned two Olympic gold medals, written books, and starred in blockbuster movies. He has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami…

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: Winner of the Coretta Scott King / John Steptoe New Talent Award, this acclaimed, multicultural book about a biracial boy with a passion for science will resonate with children everywhere who can’t—or won’t—be defined by categories.   Ten-year-old Brendan Buckley is a self-declared scientist: asking questions and looking for answers, but most of all struggling against the overprotective behavior of his parents. Up until now, he has never even…

Synopsis: "The Who HQ Graphic Novels series does an excellent job of quickly engaging readers by capturing the drama and immediacy of pivotal historic events." — BooklistDiscover the story behind Muhammad Ali and the boxing match that captivated the world, the Thrilla In Manila, in this powerful graphic novel -- written by Murder Ballads' Gabe Soria and illustrated by award-winning artists Chris Brunner and Rico Renzi.Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an…

Synopsis: A wily fox, notorious for stealing eggs, meets his match when he encounters a bold little girl in the woods who insists upon proof that he is a fox before she will be frightened. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Synopsis: How special and inspiring to read about Rosa Park's life in her own words! This BIOGRAPHY READER is now available in Step into Reading, the premier leveled reader line.When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man on December 1, 1955, she made history. Her brave act sparked the Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott and brought the civil rights movement to national attention. In simple, lively language, Rosa Parks describes her…

Synopsis: "The last book that I really loved (which makes it great to me) was probably Iggie’s House... When I think about the fact that it was published in 1970 and addresses white flight, I’m enamored by Blume’s courage." –Jason Reynolds, bestselling author of Long Way Down, in The New York Times Book Review A classic, coming of age novel from award-winning author Judy Blume about the bonds that form between children when a black family moves into an…

Synopsis: #1 New York Times bestselling author Kate Andersen Brower shares a special inside look into the most famous home in America--and the lives of hardworking staff members and first ladies who've maintained it. Have you ever wondered what exactly goes on inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Sure, the president of the United States works and resides there, but do you know who helps keep this historic house running It's no simple task, especially when…

Synopsis: Even though eight-year-old Ernestine lives with her family up North, "back home" is Lumberton, North Carolina, the place where she was born and where her mama grew up. From the moment she steps off the train, Ernestine feels right at home in the lush, green countryside, working on the family farm, and spending time with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. This nostalgic, sweetly humorous visit home--based on Gloria Pinkney's own childhood memories--is…

Synopsis: Here, ideal for African-American History Month, is a stunningly beautiful book consisting of portraits-in pictures and words-of twenty outstanding African-Americans. The individuals range from historical to contemporary figures, such as the dancer Judith Jamison, and represent diverse fields of endeavor, from the law (Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall) to athletics, science, and more. For each individual, there is a three-page biography by…

Synopsis: Discover how a young girl who loved to read and write became a voting rights activist, a candidate for governor of Georgia, and an author.Presenting Who HQ Now: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Who Was? series!Stacey Abrams began her career in politics at the age of seventeen when she was hired as a typist for a congressional campaign. From there, she worked hard to get into Yale law school and, eventually, was elected…

Synopsis: America's second black astronaut, born in South Carolina, Ronald McNair once told students, "You're eagles. Stretch your wings and fly to the sky."

Synopsis: This is the moving story of how Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a Major League baseball team when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s, and how on a fateful day in Cincinnati, Pee Wee Reese took a stand and declared Jackie his teammate. Illustrated with a blend of historic photographs and eloquent watercolors by Paul Bacon.