Love. Politics. War. Amidst mounting tensions between the British crown and the American colonists of Boston, Annalisa Howlett struggles with her identity and purpose as a woman. Rather than concern herself with proper womanly duties, like learning to dance a minuet or chasing after the eligible and charming Jack Perkins, Annalisa prefers the company of her brother, George, and her beloved musket, Bixby. She intends to join the rebellion, but as complications in her personal life intensify, and the colonies inch closer to war with England, everything Annalisa thought about her world and womanhood are transformed forever. Join Annalisa on her journey to discover what it truly means to be a woman in the 18th century, all set against the backdrop of some of the most pivotal moments in American history.

What if young teens could read an exciting novel describing the places they live and the problems they face? What if they learned history through their own eyes? Maybe, their neighborhoods are decrepit and their streets violent, but now they know it was once different. If a place changed in the past, can it change in the future, too?

Ernesto from East Oakland and Jada from West Oakland have problems-big problems! Ernesto's parents have been deported, and Jada's dad is in prison. Now they are heading on a journey through time: back into Oakland's past and forward into Oakland's future. As they try to return to the present, their time, the things they see will change their lives forever.

Packed with local sights and sounds and told in the language of The Town that they call home, Oakland Tales is the unforgettable coming-of-age story of two young people who discover that they are part of history and they can shape the future.

GOALS:

* attract young people to reading through stories representative of themselves;

* connect youth to place by revealing history through their eyes;

* reinforce bridges among cultures and present a model of inclusivity;

* inspire youth to find themselves in the continuum of history;

* offer a forum in the classroom and home to discuss social justice themes;

* offer a tool of empowerment that articulates hope and helps shape agency;

* address the crisis of literacy and by default, the school dropout rate; and

* offer an interdisciplinary text appropriate for both Language Arts/Social Studies.

Themes: connection to place, parent incarceration, street violence, parent deportation, history from below, and restorative justice,

For fans of Gillian Flynn, Caroline Cooney, and R.L. Stine comes Search for the Shadowman from four-time Edgar Allen Poe Young Adult Mystery Award winner Joan Lowery Nixon.

Twelve-year-old Andy Thomas isn't thrilled with his teacher's assignment to explore family history. But when he starts asking questions about his ancestors, he is surprised to discover a black sheep named Coley Joe Bonner. No one wants to discuss what happened in the family's past. Everyone, including Andy's own relatives, advises him to stop his investigation. But Andy continues and searches everywhere, from the Internet to the local cemetery, to discover the truth. Will Andy's search hurt those he loves or make them realize that it's never too late to seek social justice?

A riveting tale of suspense set against a background of fascinating historical context. -School Library Journal

Hints of disgrace and treachery...children will read the story for the fun of guessing who is warning Andy off the case. -Booklist

The Girl That Chased Wild Horses takes readers on a mesmerizing journey into the captivating world of free roaming horses. Walters intricately weaves together two parallel narratives, one following the enthralling lives of three lost mares in the mountains, and the other tracing the remarkable coming-of-age story of Samantha, a city girl who discovers the profound connection between humans and horses.

When Ben took the Bay Avenue path that led over the dune to Lewes Beach, he saw something shining on the wet sand and picked up a small piece of metal, inscribed with the words: U.S. Life-Saving Service, District No. 5, Station No. 4, Surfman No.1. He rubbed the sand off the badge and looked up to see a surfman, dressed in dark blue and carrying a walking stick, who introduced himself as Levi Lynch and said: Why, you've found my surfman's brass patrol check. Discover what Ben learns about the brave surfmen living a life of sacrifice and service at the Lewes Life-Saving Station and how the surfmen from the Cape Henlopen area stations - Levi Lynch among them - joined together to save nearly two hundred lives during the Great Blizzard of 1888. Exciting adventures awaited Ben! And what happens to the brass check?

What sets this story apart is how it beautifully portrays the courage, dedication, and self-sacrifice of surfmen like Levi Lynch. Vivid descriptions and archival images immerse readers in the historical setting that brings these unsung heroes back to life. Lessons of teamwork, integrity, and bravery offer a meaningful message to children about doing the right thing, no matter the challenges. Litzenberg's story will inspire future generations to value the importance of service and history.

Capt. Wes Pulver, USCG (Ret.)
President, National Coast Guard Museum Association

The Messenger's Secret: A Journey into Hidden Histories and Unbreakable Bonds

In the quiet town of Willow Creek, secrets lie in the shadows-buried in ancient buildings, etched in forgotten symbols, and waiting to be uncovered by those daring enough to seek them. When two best friends, Amelia and Leo, stumble upon a mysterious book in a dusty antique shop, they have no idea they're about to embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever.

A Secret Society... Hidden within the pages of history is the Society of the Whispering Quill, a centuries-old organization devoted to protecting knowledge too dangerous for the world to wield. As Amelia and Leo follow cryptic messages, decipher codes, and uncover symbols scattered around town, they come face-to-face with the legacy of the Society-and the weight of the secrets it has protected.

A Race Against Time... They aren't the only ones on this trail. A mysterious figure, intent on keeping the Society's secrets buried, is shadowing their every move. With each step, Amelia and Leo realize that their pursuit of the truth could cost them everything. As they race to unlock the final chamber of secrets, they're forced to question what they're willing to risk to uncover the truth.

A Legacy Worth Protecting... In an underground chamber where history and legend collide, Amelia and Leo find a treasure worth more than gold-a hidden knowledge that carries the potential to reshape everything. But with this knowledge comes a choice: share what they've uncovered or protect the legacy left in their hands. In honoring the Society's mission, they discover that sometimes, the greatest adventures are those that shape who we become.

Perfect for fans of young adult mystery, historical adventure, and unforgettable friendships, The Messenger's Secret will leave you questioning what lies hidden in the places you think you know. Join Amelia and Leo as they uncover the power of courage, curiosity, and the wisdom in protecting what matters most.

Saving Washington Film Rights Optioned by Producer of HBO's Big Little Lies

The lost story of America's 400 Spartans--an army of unexpected heroes who changed the course of history.

On a marshy Brooklyn battlefield on August 27, 1776, four hundred men from Baltimore, Maryland assembled to do battle against a vastly superior British army. Seemingly overnight, these young soldiers had matured from na ve teenagers to perhaps the most important, yet most forgotten, citizen soldiers in all of American history: America's 400 Spartans.

Saving Washington follows young Joshua Bolton and his childhood friend Ben Wright, a freed black man, as they witness British tyranny firsthand, become enraptured by the cause, and ultimately enlist to defend their new nation in a battle that galvanized the American nation on the eve of its birth.

Chris Formant's gripping tale blends real-life historical figures and events with richly developed fictional characters in a multi-dimensional world of intrigue, romance, comradeship, and sacrifice, transporting us two-and-a-half centuries back in time to the bustling streets of Baltimore and the bloody, smoke-filled carnage of battle in Brooklyn.

CUANDO AMÉRICA GANÓ LA GUERRA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA, EL PUEBLO LE OFRECIÓ LA CORONA A GEORGE WASHINGTON. SIGLOS MÁS TARDE, SUS DESCENDIENTES SIGUEN OCUPANDO EL TRONO...

La princesa Beatrice siempre ha aceptado su deber, pero empieza a acusar la presión a medida que se acerca el día de convertirse en la primera soberana de Estados Unidos. A nadie le importa Samantha, la princesa sustituta, salvo cuando incumple las normas; así que ella tampoco se interesa por nada... De haber nacido una generación antes, Jefferson, el gemelo de Samantha, hubiera sido el primero en la línea sucesoria, pero las nuevas leyes lo relegan al tercer lugar. Casi todo el país adora al príncipe, pero son dos chicas, muy distintas entre sí, quienes compiten por ganarse su corazón. EL PODER. EL DEBER. EL DRAMA. LA CORONA.

ENGLISH DESCRIPTION

A New York Times Bestseller

What if America had a royal family? If you can't get enough of Harry and Meghan or Kate and William, meet American princesses Beatrice and Samantha. Crazy Rich Asians meets The Crown. Perfect for fans of Red, White, and Royal Blue and The Royal We!

Two princesses vying for the ultimate crown.
Two girls vying for the prince's heart.
This is the story of the American royals.

When America won the Revolutionary War, its people offered General George Washington a crown. Two and a half centuries later, the House of Washington still sits on the throne. Like most royal families, the Washingtons have an heir and a spare. A future monarch and a backup battery. Each child knows exactly what is expected of them. But these aren't just any royals. They're American.

As Princess Beatrice gets closer to becoming America's first queen regnant, the duty she has embraced her entire life suddenly feels stifling. Nobody cares about the spare except when she's breaking the rules, so Princess Samantha doesn't care much about anything, either . . . except the one boy who is distinctly off-limits to her. And then there's Samantha's twin, Prince Jefferson. If he'd been born a generation earlier, he would have stood first in line for the throne, but the new laws of succession make him third. Most of America adores their devastatingly handsome prince . . . but two very different girls are vying to capture his heart.

The duty. The intrigue. The Crown. New York Times bestselling author Katharine McGee imagines an alternate version of the modern world, one where the glittering age of monarchies has not yet faded--and where love is still powerful enough to change the course of history.

After the Great Exile of her entire Acadian community from Canada in 1755, half of Rose's family and her boyfriend disappear. As part of their forced resettlement in colonial East Hampton, New York, the English government begins it's work to turn Rose and her Acadian family into proper English citizens. Lonely and unable to speak her native French, Rose's situation is made worse by a vindictive Master who blames her as a French speaker for the capture and perhaps death of his son by French military forces in upstate New York. Read Rose Alone to follow Rose's journey as she struggles to find her place and family in the new world of battling French and English Empires in America.

An innovative work of historical fiction in which readers can snap pictures of QR Codes throughout Rooster's Gold to effortlessly connect the written word to an internet-based resource and learn about several of history's heroes featured in the story.

Thirteen-year-old Maggie Pugh has lived in Kinship, Georgia, all her life. In all that time almost nothing has changed.

If you are poor, you live on the west side of town. If you are rich, you live on the hill in the north end of town. If you are white you use one bathroom, if you are colored you use another.

All that starts to change in the summer of 1960. Maggie witnesses a horrific crime, and must decide whose side she stands on. Will Maggie remain silent, and not shame her family, or will she stand up for justice?

The courage and vision of the 1960s South...are posted on Spite Fences for all to see. It is a masterful, sobering display. -- Booklist

Characters emerge as complex individuals, not pawns of a political agenda; Maggie's final triumph is a tribute to all who have suffered for justice. -- Publishers Weekly

A book of this caliber comes along only rarely. -- Family Life

Honor Book selection -- Parents' Choice

Best Book for Young Adults selection -- American Library Association (ALA)

Best Young Adult Novel award -- International Literacy Association

New York Public Library Award

Emily and Daniel Lane return in this heart-stopping follow up to The Shimmering. After forty-six years of separation, Gus Childers is anxious to reunite with his family. He uses The Shimmering to leave his friends Daniel and Emily Lane in the nineteenth century and seek out his long-lost loved ones. But to his surprise, the unpredictable time portal transports him to a new dimension and a strange, frightening world he wasn't expecting. Meanwhile, Daniel and Emily are attempting to build a life together in the 1800's. As they settle into their homestead, Daniel discovers a diary Gus left behind, detailing his experiences along Tennessee's frontier. With the help of Gus's diary, his friends seek the simple, fulfilling life they've always wanted. But non-stop obstacles and danger menace their peaceful valley home. Can Gus find his way back and help his friends? Will Daniel and Emily find the strength to defeat the dangers that threaten their new life together? Michael L. Clark will draw you in and leave you wanting more in this captivating sequel to The Shimmering.

Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More is an old-fashioned, historical family drama-a sweet, yet edgy, coming of age story. Set in the 1920s, it is based on the life of the author's grandmother.

The main character, Ruby Pearl, is mature beyond her years and was born at least a decade too soon. Growing up in the middle of a family of nine children in Oilton, Oklahoma, with her nose constantly in a book, she was known as the girl that would rather read than can tomatoes. Ruby feels destined for greater things.

Ruby studies hard to make good grades, while her parents smile and humor her. They continually encourage the courtship with her beau, Arthur, who they fully expect will be their son-in-law when the two graduate from high school, but Ruby has loftier goals. She admires her momma and big sister, Rilla, the CEOs of the household and knows some day she will have children and a home of her own to manage, but first things first!

Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More is Anne of Green Gables meets the It Girl of the 20s ... but with a sophisticated twist. Ruby's 'coming of age' story evolves amidst the backdrop of a horse and buggy town welcoming its first motor cars, and parents brought up in the Victorian era grappling with their daughters showing their ankles and dating! Following the inspiration of the suffrage movement, Ruby becomes a pioneer for girls her age, breaking all norms, defying tradition (and her parents) to become a truly independent woman.

Rise! A Girl's Struggle for More is an old-fashioned, historical family drama-a sweet, yet edgy, coming of age story. Set in the 1920s, it is based on the life of the author's grandmother.

The main character, Ruby Pearl, is mature beyond her years, born at least a decade too soon. Growing up in a family of nine children in Oilton, Oklahoma, with her nose constantly in a book, she's the girl who would rather read than can tomatoes.

Ruby studies hard to make good grades, while her parents humor her. They encourage the courtship with her beau, Arthur, who they expect will be their son-in-law when the two graduate from high school. Ruby has loftier goals than that. She admires her momma and big sister, Rilla, the CEOs of the household, and hopes to have children and a home of her own to manage someday, but first things first!

Ruby's story unfolds amidst the backdrop of a horse and buggy town welcoming its first motor cars. She becomes a pioneer for girls her age, following the inspiration of the suffrage movement, breaking all norms, defying tradition-and her parents-to become a truly independent woman.

Everything comes at a price. What's yours? In 1895 Massachusetts, Andrew Dawson uncovers a dark secret his family has kept from him his entire life. When a mysterious stranger, Cornelius Phenton, comes to rescue the family from its crippling debt, everything comes to a head, and the truth is revealed.

Andrew makes the deal of a lifetime. The only price to be paid is his beating heart. He takes on the identity of the confident yet arrogant, Derrick. When the moon eclipses the sun, the transformation will be permanent, and Andrew will be gone forever. However, Derrick quickly realizes that leaving his past behind isn't as easy as it seems. Even without his heart, he somehow still loves the life he has left behind.

Mr. Hornsby's back, and American civil rights are in jeopardy!

After traveling back through time with his students to the White House in 1891, seeing Babe Ruth play baseball in 1919, diving away from bullets on the frontier in 1844, and even rescuing the Roaring Twenties, he'd thought he'd seen it all. Yet nothing could have prepared him for what's about to come next!

In this thrilling follow-up to Secrets of the Pierce Journal, the evil group of time-traveling colonists known as the Loyalists have planted another deadly trap; and it's up to Mr. Hornsby and his best friend, Rosie, to once again take on the past to save the future. If they can't stop the enemy in time and unravel the truth behind the mysterious target, American history will be lost forever.

Emma is an orphaned teenager who has a peculiarly unique life. After the disappearance of her guardian, she is visited by a young man who claims to know her. She must travel alongside him to discover her destiny, which will take her through caves and across rivers and seas. Fighting against terrifying and deadly beings, hoping to achieve what she longs for the most: to find her family.
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Emma es una adolescente huérfana que tiene una vida peculiarmente diferente. Tras la desaparición de su tutor, recibe la visita de un joven que dice conocerla. Junto a él deberá viajar para encontrar su destino que la llevará a través de ríos, mares y cuevas. Luchando contra seres terroríficos y letales, con la esperanza de cumplir su deseo más anhelado: encontrar a su familia.
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Emma é uma adolescente órfã que tem uma vida peculiar. Após seu guardião desaparecer, ela é visitada por um jovem que afirma conhecê-la. Ela deve viajar com ele para descobrir seu destino - uma jornada que a levará por cavernas, rios e mares. Lutando contra seres aterrorizantes e mortais, na esperança de conseguir o que ela mais deseja: encontrar sua família.
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Emma est une adolescente orpheline qui mène une vie particulièrement différente. Après la disparition de son tuteur, elle reçoit la visite d'un jeune homme qui prétend la connaître. Avec lui, elle va entreprendre un voyage pour trouver son destin, qui l'amènera à traverser des rivières, des mers et des grottes. Elle va se battre contre des êtres terrifiants et mortels dans l'espoir de réaliser son voeu le plus cher: retrouver sa famille.
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Emma ist eine verwaiste Jugendliche, die ein ganz anderes Leben führt. Nach dem Verschwinden ihres Vormunds wird sie von einem jungen Mann besucht, der behauptet, sie zu kennen. Zusammen mit ihm muss sie sich auf die Suche nach ihrem Schicksal begeben, das sie durch Flüsse, Meere und Höhlen führen wird. Sie kämpft gegen furchteinflö ende und tödliche Wesen, in der Hoffnung, ihren sehnlichsten Wunsch zu erfüllen: ihre Familie zu finden.
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Emma è un'adolescente orfana che ha una vita particolarmente diversa. Dopo la scomparsa del suo tutore, riceve la visita di un giovane che afferma di conoscerla. Insieme a lui viaggerà in cerca del proprio destino, attraversando fiumi, mari e grotte. Combatterà contro esseri terrificanti e letali, sperando di soddisfare il suo desiderio più grande: trovare la propria famiglia.
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Emma jest osieroconą nastolatką, której życie jest zupelnie nietypowe. Po zniknięciu jej opiekuna odwiedza ją mlody mężczyzna, który twierdzi, że ją zna. Razem z nim będzie musiala wyruszyc w podróż, aby odnaleźc swoje przeznaczenie, do którego droga będzie wiodla przez rzeki, morza i jaskinie. Walczy z przerażającymi i morderczymi istotami w nadziei na spelnienie swojego najbardziej upragnionego marzenia: odnalezienie swojej rodziny.
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Emma, een tiener die haar ouders heeft verloren, leidt een buitengewoon uitzonderlijk leven. Nadat haar voogd is verdwenen krijgt ze bezoek van een jonge man die beweert haar te kennen. Samen met hem maakt ze een reis om haar bestemming te vinden, die haar voert over rivieren, zeeën en grotten. Terwijl ze de strijd opneemt met angstaanjagende en dodelijke wezens, hoopt ze haar meest gekoesterde wens te vervullen: haar familie vinden.

In October 1983, the United States military invaded a small Caribbean nation under the pretense of repelling a communist uprising. Army Rangers were initially sent in to secure the island's main airport and rescue American students held hostage at a nearby medical college. The Rangers soon found themselves in contact with a bizarre and violent group of hostiles. In the aftermath of that incident, the U.S. government marshalled immense resources to investigate and cover up what had occurred. Now read the declassified evidence for yourself.

Consider this book. Beyond these pages is my collection of stories centered on mental health and multigenerational relationships. This is my first book since the one I finished in high school, Mr. Rot's Garden (2018). It may seem curious there's just nine short stories I've tucked in here, but I am quite proud of all of them and feel they well represent my strengths as a writer.

The first I'd like to mention is An Assessment In Frailty which picks up right at the end of a home tour. Eighty-four year-old Franklin Sprawl is put down by homeowner Robert Lash who claims the senior hasn't made any meaningful contribution to society during his lifetime of work. This spark's Sprawl's relentless need to prove lash wrong by making an art piece that says more about Lash's flaws than anything else. The second, Surface Street Shades, follows Elderly widow, Geraldine Fade, who drives in a weathered truck with a distinctive gash on its tailgate. The old woman is aghast when a white SUV is stalking her, though she manages to lose them momentarily and sets upon inviting her handyman over to do work and quell her stress, she learns the hard way about the many faces of appreciation.

Thirdly, my title story, Threat Along The Homestretch concerns an anxious young adult, with unbidden urges, who just wants to get home. But when road work redirects him away from the shorter path to his house, he must enter a senior center where he thinks he is increasingly susceptible to striking out. The Welcoming Bench, shows a young teen boy's perspective change thanks to a story an old Quaker gives him about her dear deceased friend Nanette Looking. It's a cozy premise with memorable characters which tackles greater themes of religion and universal needs for companionship.

This third book finds Hannah Griswold in high school facing the struggles of her senior year. Unfortunately she is also hearing voices when she walks through a local cemetery. These voices block her way to a normal teenage life. But could they help her discover how speical she is? Will solving one more mystery bring Hannah peace?