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Prisoner For Liberty
Written by Marty Rhodes Figley
Published by Millbrook Press

James Forten knew how important freedom was. He was a free African American born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When the American Revolution started in 1776, James was too young to help fight for freedom from British rule, but in 1781, at age fifteen, he took a job on the Royal Louis, an American ship. A British warship soon captured the Royal Louis and James was taken prisoner. The British often sold
African American prisoners into slavery. What would happen to James? Would he ever see his family again?

-Description courtesy of Millbrook Press

To purchase a copy, please go to
www.lernerbooks.com or www.amazon.com

     
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Nature's Paintbox: A Seasonal Gallery of Art and Verse
Written by Patricia Thomas
Published by Millbrook Press

How would you capture winter's crispness, springs softness, summer's freshness, and autumn's richness? In this inspiring title, poet Patricia Thomas imagines each season rendered in a different art medium. Pen and Ink, with spots of color, capture winter's mood, while pastel chalks make spring flowers bloom into life. The see through hues of watercolors celebrate summer's warmth, while vibrant oils perfectly paint fall's majestic scenes.

Artist Craig Orback takes up the poems's challenge in his marvelous illustrations, using each of the mediums described. Just as the seasons move seamlessly into one another, so too do the art styles blend together, then emerge in full splendor, and blend again as the next season approaches.

-Description courtesy of Millbrook Press

"There is a strikingly rare synergy between the poetry and the illustrations in this truly remarkable addition to the pantheon of books on the four seasons for school-aged children." -Kirkus Reviews

"...but it is the illustrations that stand out. Orback presents his illustrations from different viewpoints, looking up into the au-tumn tree covered with orange leaves or viewed at puddle level as spring boots splash along the road. This beauti-ful selection could be used to support seasonal studies, as well as numerous artistic concepts. The strong use of descriptive words would support creative writing activities even for those students older than the intended audi-ence." -Library Media Connection

Nature's Paintbox was named a Lasting Connections of 2007 title in the American Library Association magazine, Book Links (January, 2008). Also the book has been named in the 2008 Edition of The Best Children's Books of the Year from the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education.

To purchase a copy, please go to
www.lernerbooks.com or www.amazon.com

Susan B. Anthony: Fighter For Freedom and Equality
Written by Suzanne Slade
Published by Picture Window Books

When Susan B. Anthony was born not all Americans had the same freedoms. Find out how she fought to win equal rights for all women and men.

-Description courtesy of Picture Window books

Susan B. Anthony Fighter for Freedom and Equality is one of only 32 books to be selected for the 2008 Amelia Bloomer Project list of recommended feminist literature for young readers. The award is sponsored by the Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association.

To purchase a copy, please go to
www.picturewindowbooks.com and www.amazon.com

Paul Bunyan
Written by Stephen Krensky
Published by Millbrook Press

Growing up, Paul Bunyan was always too big. Too big for the furniture. Too big for regular clothes. Too big to play with the other kids. But out among the tall trees in the great northern forests, Paul felt at home. So he set out with his big blue ox, Babe, to live the life of a lumberjack. The adventures of Paul and his friends are recounted in this tallest tale of them all.

-Description courtesy of Lerner Publishing

To purchase a copy, please go to
www.lernerbooks.com or www.amazon.com

The Flyer Flew! The Invention of the Airplane
Written by Lee Sullivan Hill
Published by Millbrook Press

Orville Wright climbed into the flyer. He and is brother Wilbur had been working day and night to build a machine that could fly under its own power. It was time to find out if their invention would work. With a roar, the airplane rolled along the track. Faster and faster it moved, and then it rose into the air. The Flyer flew! Follow the Wright Brothers step by step as they build the world's first airplane, an invention that changed
the world.

-Description courtesy of Lerner Publishing

The Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College has named The Flyer Flew! to the 2007 Edition of the Best Children's Books of the Year.

To purchase a copy, please go to
www.lernerbooks.com or www.amazon.com

Washington is Burning
Written by Marty Rhodes Figley
Published by Millbrook Press

Fifteen-year-old Paul Jennings looked out the window of the President's House. America was at war with Britain, and British soldiers were marching toward Washington. Terrified people were fleeing the city. But Paul was not going to join them yet. He was a slave who belonged to President Madison and his wife, Dolley. Dolley did not want to leave until her husband returned from the battlefront. Paul stayed by her side, helping her pack up official papers and belongings. Finally, they could wait no
longer. But there was one more treasure they had to save. Were they too late?

-Description courtesy of Lerner Publishing

To purchase a copy, please go to
www.lernerbooks.com or www.amazon.com