Homer and his brother Harold have been living with their evil Uncle Squinton Leach, 'the meanest man in the entire state of Maine,' since their parents died. When Uncle Squinton sells Harold into the Union Army during the Civil War, Homer can take no more. He runs away and sets off to get Harold back. On his journey, he encounters slave catchers, a Confederate spy, and makes a get-away flight in a hot air balloon which lands him in Gettysburg right before the fighting begins. Join Homer for his mostly true adventures, but remember that he also has a real talent for telling fibs when they're needed.

Similar authors: Sid Fleischman

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominee 2012

Awards won: Newbery Honor Book 2010

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 6/1/2011

ISBN-13: 9780439668187

Check the library catalog

A great interview with the famous violinist Paolo Levi falls into the lap of a brand-new reporter. As she heads off to Venice to meet with him, she wonders why she was warned not to ask personal questions or 'The Mozart Question,' and she wonders just what exactly this question is. As the interview starts and nerves take over, the first question that comes to the reporter is a personal one, but, to her surprise, Paolo answers it and begins his tale. It's a story about the secrets Paolo's parents kept from him until he was 9. He discovers that his parents used to be brilliant musicians. It is also the story of his parents' experiences in concentration camps during World War II, where they were forced to play music for incoming prisoners. Through his story, she discovers why Paolo never plays Mozart.

Reviewed by: mec

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0763635529

ISBN-13: 9780763635527

Check the library catalog

Straight from the horse's mouth- the story of Paul Revere's famous midnight ride is told by his horse, Sherry. Her journey from being a British officer's horse to the faithful steed of Paul Revere, patriot, is intertwined with the history of the Sons of Liberty. Read what it was like to gallop through the night, warning the Patriots that the British were coming!

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 8/25/2011

ISBN-10: 0316517291

ISBN-13: 9780316517294

Check the library catalog

It was the ninth inning, the bases were loaded, two outs, and the score was 3 to 0. Andy Oyler was up to bat. He was the shortest player in the whole league. Andy was about to get his first pitch when the sky opened up and rain flooded the field. The umpire delayed the game for a while but started it up again just to finish it out. As the pitch approached, Andy felt it was going to hit him but instead it hit his bat. It took everyone by surprise. Where was the ball? The littlest player became an unforgettable hero for his team.

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2011

Reviewed by: rn

Date read: 4/9/2010

ISBN-10: 0763623873

ISBN-13: 9780763623876

Check the library catalog

Murder Afloat brings to life a part of history that many of us don't know much about. Unscrupulous oyster ship owners would kidnap their crews off the streets of Baltimore because men would not volunteer for the dirty, cold and starving conditions on the ships. Benjamin Orville has his life changed in a flash. Ben is taken out of his upper class life when he is kidnapped with German immigrants and put to work on an oyster ship. Through many trials and tribulations, Ben survives and must make a decision about the rest of his life. I would recommend this for a reading out-loud book and a book for a reluctant reader.

Reviewed by: cjones

Date read: 3/14/2011

ISBN-10: 1423104161

ISBN-13: 9781423104162

Check the library catalog