This dramatic and moving story set in the days of the Negro Leagues illustrates the true meanings of friendship, prejudice, and heroism Twelve-year-old Charlie Nebraska wants two things he can’t get: to make the local Wildcats Baseball team and to have life to return to the way it was before his father died two years earlier in the Korean War. Then Charlie meets Luther Peale, a stranger who quietly and mysteriously arrives in the small town of Holden, Iowa, and sets up camp near the river. Luther is a former Negro Baseball League player, and Charlie loves baseball. The two strike up a friendship and Luther agrees to coach Charlie’s fledgling neighborhood baseball team for a game against the Wildcats. But many of Holden’s white residents are suspicious of Luther because of his skin color. And when Charlie inadvertently reveals a secret of Luther’s, violence erupts in the town and both Luther and Charlie are drawn into serious danger. Authors Carol Gorman and Ron J. Findley have created two highly memorable, emotionally complex characters in this dramatic story that illustrates the meanings of friendship, prejudice, and heroism.

Created in consultation with teachers and public librarians, this fantastic collection of 101 ready-to-use book lists provides invaluable help for any educator who plans activities for children that involve using literature. Nancy J. Keane is the author of the award-winning website Booktalks—Quick and Simple (nancykeane.com/booktalks), as well as the creator of the open collaboration wiki ATN Book Lists. With 101 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Children, she provides another indispensable resource for librarians and teachers. The lists in this book are the result of careful consultation with teachers and public librarians, and from discussions on professional email lists. These indispensable reading lists can be used in many ways—for example, as handouts to teachers as suggested reading, to create book displays, or as display posters in the library. This collection will help educators support the extended reading demands of today's children.

A new edition of this award-winning modern classic, with an introduction by Tayari Jones (An American Marriage), an excerpt from the never before seen follow-up, and discussion guide. Pakersfield, Georgia, 1958: Thirteen-year-old Tangy Mae Quinn is the sixth of ten fatherless siblings. She is the darkest-skinned among them and therefore the ugliest in her mother, Rozelle’s, estimation, but she’s also the brightest. Rozelle—beautiful, charismatic, and light-skinned—exercises a violent hold over her children. Fearing abandonment, she pulls them from school at the age of twelve and sends them to earn their keep for the household, whether in domestic service, in the fields, or at “the farmhouse” on the edge of town, where Rozelle beds local men for money. But Tangy Mae has been selected to be part of the first integrated class at a nearby white high school. She has a chance to change her life, but can she break from Rozelle’s grasp without ruinous—even fatal—consequences?

The Midwest has produced a robust literary heritage. Its authors have won half of the nation's Nobel Prizes for Literature plus a significant number of Pulitzer Prizes. This volume explores the rich racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the region. It also contains entries on 35 pivotal Midwestern literary works, literary genres, literary, cultural, historical, and social movements, state and city literatures, literary journals and magazines, as well as entries on science fiction, film, comic strips, graphic novels, and environmental writing. Prepared by a team of scholars, this second volume of the Dictionary of Midwestern Literature is a comprehensive resource that demonstrates the Midwest's continuing cultural vitality and the stature and distinctiveness of its literature.

The 50 States is a state-by-state guide to the USA featuring historical timelines, famous trailblazers, natural wonders and much more, all bursting from colourful, infographic maps and fact boxes.

Step into the kitchen and stir up a batch of storybook treats with literary recipes based on the books and lives of 50 of your favorite children's authors and illustrators, including Eric Carle, Mary Casanova, Keiko Kasza, Steven Kellogg, Yuyi Morales, Janet Stevens, and Jane Yolen and 40 others. Whip up a heavenly coconut cream cake enjoyed in Jacqueline Briggs Martin's recent story, On Sand Island; savor the spicy pumpkin pie inspired by Toni Buzzeo's Sea Chest. You'll also learn some fascinating facts about each author and read anecdotes and stories connected with the recipes. Biographical details, author photographs, book lists, and reading connections make this a perfect resource for library, classroom, and home. A great gift for booklovers. What a delicious way to learn about authors and their books! Step into the kitchen and stir up a batch of storybook treats with 50 literary recipes based on the books and lives of 50 of your favorite children's authors and illustrators, including Eric Carle, Mary Casanova, Keiko Kasza, Steven Kellogg, Yuyi Morales, Janet Stevens, and Jane Yolen and 40 others. Whip up a heavenly coconut cream cake enjoyed in Jacqueline Briggs Martin's recent story, On Sand Island; savor the spicy pumpkin pie inspired by Toni Buzzeo's Sea Chest. You'll also learn some fascinating facts about each author and read anecdotes and stories connected with the recipes. Biographical details, author photographs, book lists, and reading connections make this a perfect resource for library, classroom, and home. A great gift for booklovers. What a delicious way to learn about authors and their books! Grades K-6.

Ichiro lives in New York City with his Japanese mother. His father, an American soldier, was killed in Iraq. Now, Ichi’s mom has decided they should move back to Japan to live with Ichi’s grandfather. Grandfather becomes Ichi’s tour guide, taking him to temples as well as the Hiroshima Peace Park, where Ichi starts to question the nature of war. After a supernatural encounter with the gods and creatures of Japanese mythology, Ichi must face his fears if he is to get back home. In doing so, he learns about the nature of man, of gods, and of war. He also learns there are no easy answers—for gods or men.

At his new school, Jerry Flack is determined to stop being a dork and start being a cool guy—but does this science nerd really have what it takes to be popular? Jerry Flack is starting middle school in a new town where no one knows him and he can be anybody he wants. Jerry has a plan: He is finally going to be cool. But that turns out to be easier said than done. As his lies begin to pile up, Jerry knows he’s going to slip up soon, and everyone will see him for who he really is. Can Jerry keep the act going? Or is it possible that a dork can actually be . . . well, cool?

Growing Up Just Got Easier... With the help of Angus, the lovable Answer Dog, best-selling author Heidi Murkoff extends a hand to children and parents as they tackle life's first experiences together. It's hard to believe, but your child's starting preschool. Even if it's just for a couple of hours two or three days a week, it seems such a big step for someone in such little sneakers. Not to worry -- we're here to help prepare both of you for that step. We'll answer your child's questions about what preschool is like, what preschoolers do, who teachers are, and how they help to make preschool such a fun and special place -- so that the first day of preschool will be a day you'll both look forward to. Have fun! Heidi and Angus