When Nasir and Imani step into their Grandma's studio, she opens their minds to the power of a photograph. From Bessie Smith to Basquiat to Beyoncé, Grandma introduces them to famous figures and what makes them special. And before long, Nasir and Imani find themselves in the images and stepping into greatness, too.

True to their iconic photographic style, this picture book from Kahran and Regis Bethencourt reimagines powerful moments from Black history through the eyes of the youngest readers. With child-friendly recreations of famous figures from the past and present, this book reminds children of their own potential for greatness.

After her mother dies suddenly, twelve-and-a-half year old

Penelope Grace Sinclair (Piper) must go live aboard a

steamboat captained by her father. Before she saw her

father only twice a month when he was off-duty. Now, she

must see him every day.

As Piper learns how to adjust to her father and grieve for her mother,

she also learns about life and work on a steamboat just before the

Great Depression.

To keep her company, Piper keeps a diary which she names

Dorie. Magically, Dorie comes alive and tells her side of the

story too. Until a mysterious accident happens that separates

Dorie and Piper, and all seems lost!

Then, in 2015, a boy named Garrett, who is struggling to

cope with his father's traumatic injury, finds Dorie. Garrett

reads Piper's story, bringing the past to life again. Because

of words and music, families discover that the power of

friendship can carry them through hard times.

For fans of Lauren Wolk (Beyond the Bright Sea) and

Natalie Babbit (Tuck Everlasting), That Smudge of Smoke

weaves together fantasy and history to create a

heartwarming read for middle-school audiences.

Listen to child orphans as they share their memories of transition and adventure, disappointment and loneliness, but ultimately of the joy of belonging to their own new families.

They were throwaway kids, living in the streets or in orphanages and foster homes. Then Charles Loring Brace, a young minister working with the poor in New York City, started the Children's Aid Society and devised a plan to give homeless children a chance to find families to call their own.

Thus began an extraordinary migration of American children. Between 1854 and 1929, an estimated 200,000 children, mostly from New York and other cities of the eastern United States, ventured forth to other states on a journey of hope.

Andrea Warren has shared the stories of some of these orphan train riders here, including those of Betty, who found a fairy tale life in a grand hotel; Nettie Evans and her twin, Nellie, who were rescued from their first abusive placement and taken in by a new, kindhearted family who gave them the love they had hoped for; brothers Howard and Fred, who remained close even though they were adopted into different families; and Edith, who longed to know the secrets of her past.

This is powerful nonfiction for classroom and personal reading and for discussion. (School Library Journal starred review)

Presidential Conversations for Kids follows the adventures of ten-year-old BFFs Georgie and GiGi and their magical skateboard. The deeply immersive, wildly imaginative story travels back and forth in time as the two G's meet U.S. presidents throughout history, learning a lesson in leadership from each. This richly illustrated young readers edition of the acclaimed political satire Presidential Conversations is primarily geared towards middle grade readers, ages 8 to 12.

A Land Remembered has become Florida's favorite novel. Now this Student Edition in two volumes makes this rich, rugged story of the American pioneer spirit more accessible to young readers. Patrick Smith tells of three generations of the MacIveys, a Florida family battling the hardships of the frontier. The story opens in 1858, when Tobias and Emma MacIvey arrive in the Florida wilderness with their son, Zech, to start a new life, and ends in 1968 with Solomon MacIvey, who realizes that his wealth has not been worth the cost to the land. Between is a sweeping story rich in Florida history with a cast of memorable characters who battle wild animals, rustlers, Confederate deserters, mosquitoes, starvation, hurricanes, and freezes to carve a kingdom out of the Florida swamp.

If you enjoy Nancy Drew, historical fiction and crime-solving mysteries, you'll love the 'Ava and Carol Detective Agency' series, a thrilling mystery series for children of all ages.

Praise for The Ava and Carol Detective Agency Series:

'I enjoyed the pacing, resolution and how they used real criminal science methods to find clues and discover who did it. It reminded me of Encyclopedia Brown.'

'This is an excellent middle school read with great characters and a wonderful storyline to keep the young mind engaged.'

This book includes:

Dognapped

When a famous show dog Mr. Binxley is stolen, Ava and Carol, twelve-year-old detectives, jump at the opportunity to track down the dognapper.

A strand of hair, a giant shoe-print - the girls begin putting together a series of clues and suspects that lead them closer to the bad guy. But just when they think they've figured everything out, a new clue is revealed that changes everything.

Suddenly, the girls are back to square one, and time is running out for Mr. Binxley.

Dognapped showcases Ava and Carol's investigative and forensic skills as they dust for fingerprints, collect and analyze hair samples, cast footprints, create a hidden camera and use mobile apps and the internet to help catch the bad guys.

The Eye of God

A famous Van Gogh painting has been stolen from the National Gallery of Art. Or was it? Why risk such a brazen robbery in broad daylight? Was the theft a ruse for something more nefarious?

Join super sleuths Ava and Carol as they unravel a secret plot that may lead to a fortune, hidden during the Civil War. The clues lead the girls from the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. to a famous historic church in Richmond, Virginia to the mighty James River--where they are caught up in a high stakes-race to solve the mystery and find the treasure before the thieves.

Things go from bad to worse when the malicious-minded-thieves begin targeting Ava's parents, and threaten her father's life, if the girls don't back down. Will Carol and Ava get to the treasure in time, save Ava's father, and put the bad guys where they belong? Follow the clues in this riveting middle-school mystery thriller.

The Crown Jewels Mystery

What could be more thrilling than solving a hundred-year crime? Ava and Carol enter a contest where the stakes are high. Find the famed Irish Crown Jewels and win a $10,000 prize. If anyone can locate these priceless treasures, it's Ava and Carol, middle school super sleuths extraordinaire.

The girls, along with their friend Derik, embark on an adventure to solve the mystery of the missing jewels. If they win, they agree to use the reward money to help a mother with a physically challenged child get a much-needed surgery.

Ava and Carol uncover secrets hidden within historical landmarks. Join the girls as they trek across Concord and Lexington, Massachusetts and compete with other contestants, some of whom have nefarious intentions.

One mystery soon leads to another, forcing Ava, Carol, and Derik to use every detective skill they possess to crack the clues, and stay ahead of the competition.

Buy the exciting Ava and Carol Detective Agency Books 4-6, and get started on an exciting mystery adventure today

Life for 12-year-old Luke Adams is tough, and it's about to get weird, too. His mother died when he was 10, his dad is a workaholic, and Benjamin Franklin just traveled to his backyard from 1783 Paris. Luke wants more than anything to help his dad become the family man he used to be. He also wants to keep his bully, Hunter Lyons, from convincing their middle school to cancel all of the art classes. And, as if that's not enough, now that Benjamin Franklin is standing in his living room - wearing tights, short pants, and a ruffly white shirt, no less - Luke has to find a way to get him back to Paris in time to sign the treaty that ends the American Revolution.

With a little wisdom from Ben and a lot of determination, Luke tries hard to solve his problems. He helps out in his dad's Italian bistro, sells Ben's valuable coins at an antique show, sketches a one hundred-dollar bill, and even finds the courage to speak in front of a packed audience of middle schoolers.

Oh, and he teaches Ben all about the modern world. He even teaches Ben how to drive!

Life for 12-year-old Luke Adams is tough, and it's about to get weird, too. His mother died when he was 10, his dad is a workaholic, and Benjamin Franklin just traveled to his backyard from 1783 Paris. Now that Ben is standing in his living room - wearing tights, short pants, and a ruffly white shirt, no less - Luke has to find a way to get him back to Paris in time to sign the treaty that ends the American Revolution. Oh, and he teaches Ben how to drive!

I learned your words and wrote my song. I put my story down.

As an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of the traditional African American string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens has long used her art to mine America's musical past and manifest its future, passionately recovering lost voices and reconstructing a nation's musical heritage. Written as a song to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth--which was originally performed with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma--and paired here with bold illustrations by painter Monica Mikai, Build a House tells the moving story of a people who would not be moved and the music that sustained them. Steeped in sorrow and joy, resilience and resolve, turmoil and transcendence, this dramatic debut offers a proud view of history and a vital message for readers of all ages: honor your heritage, express your truth, and let your voice soar, even--or perhaps especially--when your heart is heaviest.

When De Witt Clinton, a young politician, first dreamed of building a canal to connect the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, folks didn't believe such a thing could be done. Clinton wanted to link east coast ports to the frontier, and from the groundbreaking ceremony on the Fourth of July in 1817, Clinton never gave up--even as people called his project Clinton's Ditch.

Eight long years later, he'd realized his vision at last and constructed the longest uninterrupted canal in history--allowing water travel from the American prairie all the way to Europe!

Celebrate the unique beauty of America in this gorgeously illustrated luxury storybook treasure! From sea to shining sea, view gorgeous maps of official landmarks, national parks, state birds and flowers, as well as a fun road trip map! Learn about prominent American artists, innovations, and food that made history and continue to shape our lives. Packed with fun facts, familiar patriotic songs, fun maps, and a heartwarming message, this book can be enjoyed by all ages! Because sometimes we all need to remember why we are America, and why our American family is indeed great! Like a big family, we laugh and cry together; we celebrate and mourn together. We sing, we march, we make changes -- together. We are each different, and our differences are beautiful. The freedom to be your own self is a basic human right -- but when we stand together, our beautiful differences build one amazing country. We are a strong and proud family called America! A fun and educational tribute that captures the heart of America perfect for kiddos and grown-ups too!

Thicker pages than a regular storybook to allow for reading over and over again without traditional wear and tear from kiddos.Packed with fun facts both kiddos and grown-ups will enjoy

• Highlights prominent American artists, innovations, and food that made history
• Beautifully illustrated maps showcase landmarks, national parks, and state birds & flowers
• Fun, educational tribute that captures the heart of America - perfect for all ages

A Land Remembered has become Florida's favorite novel. Now this Student Edition in two volumes makes this rich, rugged story of the American pioneer spirit more accessible to young readers. Patrick Smith tells of three generations of the MacIveys, a Florida family battling the hardships of the frontier. The story opens in 1858, when Tobias and Emma MacIvey arrive in the Florida wilderness with their son, Zech, to start a new life, and ends in 1968 with Solomon MacIvey, who realizes that his wealth has not been worth the cost to the land. Between is a sweeping story rich in Florida history with a cast of memorable characters who battle wild animals, rustlers, Confederate deserters, mosquitoes, starvation, hurricanes, and freezes to carve a kingdom out of the Florida swamp.

Twelve-year-old Mikey is doing a school project on the Pentagon, where his father works as a civilian contractor. Mikey has been given special permission to visit his dad's office and do some research on the facility, all for a class report. At first he finds the tour strangely tame -- until all the TVs across the office space begin showing the attacks on the Twin Towers. Like everyone, Mikey is transfixed and horrified by what he's seeing. Then, the world around him explodes.

Sage is an 18-month-old border collie and search-and-rescue dog. He's been training since he was a young pup, and is eager for his first official mission. Sage is confident in his skills, perhaps even too confident. But today those skills will be put to a dire and tragic test.

Thrust together on one of the darkest days in American history, Mikey and Sage are both are still young. But they'll do everything they can to help -- and to survive.

Daughters of the Faith: Ordinary Girls Who Lived Extraordinary Lives.

Harriet Tubman was born a slave on a Maryland plantation in the 1800's. She trusts in God, but her faith is tested at every turn. Should she obey her masters or listen to her conscience?

This story from Harriet's childhood is a record of a young girl's courage. Even more, it's a story of God's faithfulness, as He prepares Harriet for her adult calling to lead more than 300 people out of slavery through the Underground Railroad.

Young readers will identify with Harriet Tubman's courage and faith as she uses the strength she gains through adversity to lead others to a new life of freedom. Highly recommended reading. -- Lauraine Snelling, author, Golden Filly and High Hurdles series

CALIFORNIA, 1850. Penny is a blue-eyed palomino paint mare with a taste for adventure! She and a boy named Jesse search for gold in the hills of Northern California. After striking it rich and then losing everything, Jesse and Penny join the Pony Express. The job is a tough one, but Penny loves a challenge! Here is Penny's story . . . in her own words.

Love horses and history? Don't miss the stories of Elska, Bell's Star, Calvino, Lily, and more in the Horse Diaries series!

When energetic Isla stays with Grandma at the lake house in the woods, her natural curiosity finds her following a monarch butterfly. One day at a time, she discovers the secret life of the monarch from the larval stage and into adulthood.

Young and old readers alike will delight in this book's beautiful illustrations, and learn valuable lessons about the importance of wildlife preservation along the way.

Deetjen's Closet is a middle-grade historical fantasy with splashes of magic.

A young girl moves to a new town where, instantly, twin bullies discover her secret belief in magic. They vow to tell the whole school and make her life even more unbearable. She has to prove magic exists-and fast! In an overnight trip to an old Big Sur inn, she finds magical allies in a dark closet -- ghosts of clothes worn by real historical people. In the end, she realizes that what you believe doesn't matter. Friendship does.

Deetjen's Closet is story of magic-woven around true tales of six unique characters in California history as told by the clothes that they wore!

For every reader age 8+ who loves magic and history.

Lexile Measure: 660L

Chad's family takes refuge from vicious Chickamauga raiding parties with a desperate group in a wilderness fort. But not every danger is outside the wall. . . .