Mary is certain that her parents are giving her new shoes for Christmas, but the Depression has hit her Saskatchewan farming family hard. Mary tries to hide her disappointment when she receives a crude homemade doll instead. She ends up liking the doll much more than she expects, but the doll fuels the rivalry between Mary and her older sister, Judith. Then, when the doll disappears a few weeks later during a snowstorm, Mary and Judith's relationship changes once again.
The year is 1838 and Ellie's grandmother has arrived all the way from England. Ellie is horrified to discover that the forbidding old woman intends to take her back to Britain to be raised properly. Ellie is determined that she will not go, but what can a nine-year-old girl do in the face of an adult with her mind made up?
In the final months of World War II, ten-year-old Peggy shelters with her mother and baby brother in a London butcher's shop during an air raid. They survive, but their home and everything in it are lost, including Peggy's most treasured possession, a biscuit tin of letters from her father. Their lives change dramatically and Peggy makes friends with a boy named Spud who has a passion for scavenging bombsites, leading to more than one surprising discovery.
The Depression has ruined Henry Dafoe's life: his father has left the family farm to look for work, his mother is sick and now she's decided to send Henry to Nova Scotia to work on his uncle's fishboat. But Henry has other ideas. He runs away from home to join his father, which proves more difficult than he imagined. Alone and scared in a strange city, he befriends an old hobo named Clickety Clack, who agrees to take him to find his father. As they make their way across the country, Clickety Clack teaches Henry about the secret signs that hoboes use to communicate with each other.
Max is horrified when he sees Sam Black, a new neighbor, strike a boy who is in his charge, but Max still shouts, "Thief," and tries to catch the boy when he sees him steal from the General Store in The Landings. When the abused boy runs away and takes refuge in Max's secret fort in the woods, Max must decide where his loyalties lie. In the fourth volume of her historical series set in Upper Canada in the 1830s, Becky Citra tackles the serious subject of abuse while staying true to her characters and telling a gripping story.
It's 1861 and orphan Jo has made it from Carson City, Nevada, to San Francisco without anyone figuring out that she's a girl in boy's clothing. When she hears talk of gold strikes in the Cariboo, Jo and her friend Bart sign on for what turns out to be a journey far more arduous and dangerous than anything Jo experienced as a Pony Express rider. Through it all, Jo keeps her true identity a secret. Strong men turn back but Jo forges ahead, unsure of what lies ahead but sure that her father and mother would be proud of her determination.
The year is 1935 and Maggie Sullivan's world has fallen apart. Maggie has grown up in a close-knit mining community perched atop a mountain in British Columbia. But now her father has been killed in a mine explosion and she is being forced to leave the only home she has ever known. To make matters worse, she must also leave behind her best friend Lucky, the three-legged dog that was a special gift from Pa.
The year is 1909 and Joseph has just immigrated to the United States from Russia. He thinks that life in New York City will be wonderful, but he has not bargained for the challenges of learning English and of resisting the pressures to skip school, steal and fight to earn a place among the boys in his neighbourhood. Just Call Me Joe presents a full picture of life in New York City for the working poor. Anna, Joe's older sister, struggles to cope with the terrible factory conditions of the time. Aunt Sophie must take in boarders to make ends meet. And Joseph must both accept change and remain true to himself in a new city with new challenges.
Jesse's project about his immigrant ancestors is due tomorrow and he hasn't started. In a last-ditch effort to find some information about his great-great grandfather, Yossi, Jesse rummages through the mess in the attic until he finds a little battered travel case, full of pictures, and something else - a Star of David. At first it looks plain and unimportant, but as he holds it in his hand, the star begins to glow. Jesse is in for the surprise, and adventure, of his life as he finds himself becoming the star's first owner, his own great-great grandfather. Now a boy in Russia in the 1880s, Yossi lives in a little village, watched over by thieving soldiers who hate the Jewish community and often raid their crops before they can be stored for the winter. The whole village prays for the opportunity to slip away from their Russian keepers and escape to Canada, a land where they can be free. And nobody, even his parents, think Yossi is old enough to be of any help. But Yossi is out to prove them all wrong. If his plan works, he will set the whole village free. And he must do it alone. An adventure story for young readers, Jesse's Star is also a compelling history of one family's struggle to be free in the new world.
This book describes the history, design, and construction of the World Trade Center, as well as the terrorist attack that destroyed it on September 11, 2001.
The Underground Railroad was a system of people who helped slaves escape. People in the Underground Railroad provided food, clothing, transportation, and safe places for fugitive or runaway slaves to stay.
This book provides facts about Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at St. Augustine, Florida, and discusses its history and construction.
Although other cities have historical sites, Boston has organized a special way to see its famous places. In Boston, you can see most of the famous sites by walking a special path called the Freedom Trail.
The west coast welcomed thousands of immigrants from Asia who carried with them hopes and dreams of a bright future. Many stayed on the island for weeks or months before moving into California. Why did they have to stay so long? What made them want to come to the United States? Immigrants coming to Angel Island had to have patience as they underwent humiliation and questioning. Learn about the history of Angel Island and the immigrants that passed through by examining photographs, maps, and informational sidebars.
This book explains the construction and significance of Fort Sumter, a national monument and symbol of the Civil War.
A series for the young architect, designer or archeologist who wants to unearth the wonderful cities and dwellings of the past and learn how ancient builders worked.
In medieval times, knights could dominate any battlefield. Armed with swords, shields, spears, and lances, they rode their horses into battle and struck fear into their enemies. Readers will discover the tactics, weapons, and tools of knight warfare and why knights remain some of historys greatest warriors.
Wealthy ancient Romans got their kicks at the arena, where convicted criminals, slaves, and prisoners of war were pitted against each other in physical combat. The contenders were called gladiators, and they fought until they found relief in victory, mercy, or death. Readers will be fascinated by the gladiators life in training and battle.
Avast, me hearty, or yell be walkin the plank! or so wed like to think. Pirates had a host of punishments for their unlucky captives, but walking the plank is likely just a myth. Learn what high-sea hijinks brought pirates a deadly reputation unless ye be too lily livered!
Maori warriors would unnerve the enemy with their dances called haka. The peruperu was a war haka performed before battle. In it, the warriors would wave their weapons and contort their faces to summon the god of war and warn the opposition of their fate. Find out how successful they were in this thrilling title of bravery, weapons, and war.
Mongol warriors were expert archers. They used this skill in battle, where opponents met a slew of arrows born of Mongol cunning and craft. Howling arrows whistled as they descended into enemy lines, sending assailants into a panic. In this book, kids will learn more about Mongol weapons, gear, and training.
The samurai were the warrior class of feudal Japan for hundreds of years. They led other soldiers to war on the battlefield, and their weapons and armor made them formidable opponents. Readers will learn the history of the samurai, their weapons and fighting styles, and what ultimately led to their decline.
Every male in the Aztec civilization received military training. The most feared fighters on the battlefields were eagle warriors and jaguar warriors. This title explores the history of these fierce warriors, the tools and tactics they used in battle, and what ultimately led to their downfall.
For over 200 years, the British redcoats were the most feared infantry on Earth. The discipline with which they fought was enough to defeat almost any foe. Readers will learn about the history, training, and weapons that made them such effective soldiers.
Sprint cars are small, speedy race cars that can be raced on paved or dirt tracks. They can move at over 140 miles per hour! Readers will explore the history of these compact, high-powered speed machines.
