Jackie Robinson was the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. After retiring from baseball, he moved with his family to a place in Connecticut that had a beautiful lake. His children loved swimming and boating on the lake, but Jackie never joined them in the water. One winter day, the children wanted to ice skate. Was the ice thick enough? Jackie bravely ventured out onto the ice to check. His daughter Sharon suddenly realized that Jackie can't swim and that her dad was a very brave man. The beautiful illustrations work well with the text by Sharon Robinson to pay tribute to her father.

Awards nominated: Monarch Award Nominee 2012

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 4/14/2011

ISBN-10: 9780545052511

ISBN-13: 9780545052511

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Read Anne Rockwell's true story of a courageous young woman and her heroic part in America's War of Independence. Follow Mary Hays, otherwise known as 'Molly' as she follows her husband, marching off in General Washington's Colonial Army to fight the English in the Revolutionary War. Equipped with her pitcher, her determination, and her willingness to do what is needed, she earns the love and respect of General Washington and his soldiers to become the legend that is Molly Pitcher!

Similar authors: Augusta Stevenson; Christy Devilier

Similar books: Molly Pitcher by Eileen Dunn Bertanzelli; Molly Pitcher,Young Patriot by Augusta Stevenson; Molly Pitcher by Christy Devilier

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 6/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0679891870

ISBN-13: 9780679891871

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Can you think back to when you were 6? Now, imagine being a black child, surrounded by federal marshals, walking through a screaming mob throwing things at you, as you are just trying to get into school. This is what happened to Ruby Bridges on November 14, 1960 and this book is her story.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0590189239

ISBN-13: 9780590189231

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Henri Marie-Raymond de Toulouse 'Lautrec Monfa was a little man with a big name. When he was a child, he was in a series of accidents which revealed that he had a rare bone disease. As he grew up, his arms and upper body grew with him, but his legs remained those of a child. Lautrec was a cheerful, optimistic sort, though, so he didn't let it get him down. His love of art helped him through the hard times, so he moved to the beautiful, glittering city of Paris to study it. He made many friends in Paris, and there was no place he loved better than the district of Montmartre. There, he would visit the music halls like the Moulin Rouge and mingle with artists, workers on their days off, and middle class people looking for adventure. Throughout this biography are full-color reproductions of some of Lautrec's most famous works, paintings done by other artists of the time, and photographs of Lautrec and some of his closest friends. Lautrec was a talented artist who produced many, many paintings and other works of art, and his work reflects the spirit of the exciting times that he lived in.

Similar books: Frida by Jonah Winter; Uncle Andy's by James Warhola; Dinner at Magritte's by Michael Garland

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 5/14/2012

ISBN-10: 0810958678

ISBN-13: 9780810958678

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Ibn Battuta lived when people thought the earth was flat. However, he wanted to travel, and so he did, from Morocco to China, and back. He traveled for 30 years, having many adventures, and seeing wondrous sights. Finally, he was ready to go back home, and relive his adventures in stories.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-10: 0618432337

ISBN-13: 9780618432332

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