In 1587, a group of brave English men, women, and children set off to make a new colony in America. This was the first attempt by families, not soldiers, to tame the new world. The colonists were ill-prepared to settle the wild land. They didn't have enough supplies to build the houses, or grow the crops they would need. It was decided that John White would return to England to gather everything they would need to make their colony successful. Unfortunately, on the way back to America, John's ship was attacked, and the supplies were stolen. He was not able to return to Roanoke until 1590. Upon his arrival, he was dismayed to find the colony deserted. No one knows what happened to the people left in Roanoke which is a mystery from history.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-13: 9780823954735

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Ruth is excited to travel with her Mama and Daddy by car from Chicago to visit her Grandmother in Alabama. But she soon learns that African Americans are not welcome in most restrooms, hotels, and restaurants. When a friend guides them to an Esso service station they find The Green Book, a guide to businesses welcoming black people. This is an interesting story about a little-known piece of African American history.

Similar books: Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-ins by Carole Boston; Fishing Day by Andrea Davis Pinkney; The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Awards nominated: 2013 Bluestem Nominee

Reviewed by: donna

Date read: 4/23/2012

ISBN-13: 9780762352556

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Through the eyes of a young boy named Sam, you learn what it was like living in Lexington, Massachusetts during the time of the American Revolution. You learn how Sam, in the middle of the night, must join his father and other minutemen to fight for America's freedom. 'Sam the Minuteman,'perfect for the developing reader, is an interesting, and easily understood historical telling of the Battle of Lexington, which marked the beginning of the American Revolution.

Similar books: Meet Felicity: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp; The Battle for St. Michaels by Emily Arnold McCully; At Home in a New Land by Joan Sanden; Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express by Eleanor Coerr; Dust for Dinner by Ann Warren Turner; The Drinking Gourd: A Story of the Underground Railroad by F.N. Monjo; Prairie Friends by Nancy Smiler

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/6/2009

ISBN-10: 006020480X

ISBN-13: 9780060204808

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Samuel, a 14-year-old slave in 1776 Brooklyn, faces a difficult choice when the fighting between the British and the colonists reaches his doorstep, and only he can help the rebels.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0807572187

ISBN-13: 9780807572184

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'Sandy's Circus' by Tanya Lee Stone introduces the young reader to the extraordinary artist Alexander Calder. Although Calder would never call himself an artist, he invented the mobile as a form of moveable art and created giant sculptures that can be seen all over the world. 'Sandy' (Alexander) first became famous for his creation of a moveable and 'magical' circus. People came from miles around to see Calder make his minature circus figures perform. For the young reader who loves to create,'Sandy's Circus' is an inspiration.

Similar authors: Laurence Anholt; Mary Arrigan; Linda Lowery

Similar books: Alexander Calder by Mike Venezia; Pablo Picasso by Linda Lowery; Dreamer From the Village: The Story of Marc Chagall by Michelle Markel; Camille and the Sunflowers: a story about Vincent Van Gogh by Laurence Anholt

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/30/2010

ISBN-10: 0670062685

ISBN-13: 9780670062683

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