Anything but Ordinary Addie by
Be astonished and dazzled by the true story of Adelaide Herrmann, the Queen of Magic! Some girls are perfectly happy never doing anything out of the ordinary. But Addie was anything but ordinary. She longed for thrills and excitement! At a time when a young lady appearing onstage was considered most unusual, Addie defied convention and became a dancer. And when she married the world-famous magician Herrmann the Great, she knew she had to be part of his show.
Crossing Niagara by
Applaud Matt Tavares’s latest feat — a gripping tale of real-life daredevilry perfectly balanced by stunning illustrations. "Monsieur Blondin is to cross Niagara Falls this afternoon, or perish in the attempt." — Troy Daily Times, June 30, 1859 When the Great Blondin announced that he was going to walk from America to Canada across the Niagara River on a rope that was more than 1,100 feet long and just 3 inches wide, hanging 160 feet above the raging river, people came from everywhere. Some came to watch him cross. Some came to watch him fall. Some thought he wouldn’t show up at all. But he did show up. And he did walk across the river. And then he did something else amazing. He crossed the river on that tightrope again and again, adding another death-defying flourish each time. Matt Tavares’s gorgeous, riveting account of the daredevil of Niagara Falls is sure to hold readers in its grip, just as Blondin's feats enthralled those spectators on the cliffs more than one hundred and fifty years ago.
Enormous Smallness by
Enormous Smallness is a nonfiction picture book about the poet E.E. cummings. The book also presents some of Cummings's most wonderful poems, integrating them seamlessly into the story to give the reader the music of his voice and a spirited, sensitive introduction to his poetry.
Fearless Flyer by
On November 19, 1916, at 8:25 a.m., Ruth Law took off on a flight that aviation experts thought was doomed. She set off to fly nonstop from Chicago to New York City. Sitting at the controls of her small bi-plane, exposed to the elements, Law battled fierce winds and numbing cold. When her engine ran out of fuel, she glided for two miles and landed at Hornell, New York. Even though she fell short of her goal, she had broken the existing cross-country distance record. And with her plane refueled, she got back in the air and headed for New York City where crowds waited to greet her.
The Hole Story of the Doughnut by
In 1843, fourteen-year-old Hanson Gregory left his family home in Rockport, Maine, and set sail as a cabin boy on the schoonerAchorn, looking for high-stakes adventure on the high seas. Little did he know that a boatload of hungry sailors, coupled with his knack for creative problem-solving, would yield one of the world's most prized and beloved pastries. Lively and inventive cut-paper illustrations add a taste of whimsy to this sweet, fact-filled story that includes an extensive bibliography, author's note, and timeline.
The Kid from Diamond Street by
Beginning in 1922, when Edith Houghton was only ten years old, she tried out for a women's professional baseball team, the Philadelphia Bobbies. Though she was the smallest on the field, soon reporters were talking about "The Kid" and her incredible skill, and crowds were packing the stands to see her play.
Miss Mary Reporting by
From beloved author Sue Macy comes an illustrated biography of Mary Garber, one of the first female sports journalists in American history! Mary Garber was a pioneering sports journalist in a time where women were rarely a part of the newspaper business. Women weren't even allowed to sit in the press boxes at sporting events, so Mary was forced to sit with the coaches' wives. But that didn't stop her.
A Passion for Elephants by
A science and nature biography of Cynthia Moss, the elephant expert. Cynthia has spent years learning everything she can about elephants and sharing these fascinating creatures with the world. She is a scientist, nature photographer, and animal-rights activist, fighting against the ivory poachers who kill so many elephants for their tusks.
Poet by
George loved words. But George was enslaved. Forced to work long hours, George was unable to attend school or learn how to read. But he was determined -- he listened to the white children's lessons and learned the alphabet. Then he taught himself to read. Soon, he began composing poetry in his head and reciting it as he sold fruits and vegetables on a nearby college campus.
Solving the Puzzle under the Sea by
Filled with gorgeous illustrations by acclaimed artist Raúl Colón, this illustrated biography shares the story of female scientist, Marie Tharp, a pioneering woman scientist and the first person to ever successfully map the ocean floor.
Trombone Shorty by
A 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner Hailing from the Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews got his nickname by wielding a trombone twice as long as he was high. A prodigy, he was leading his own band by age six, and today this Grammy-nominated artist headlines the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest. Along with esteemed illustrator Bryan Collier, Andrews has created a lively picture book autobiography about how he followed his dream of becoming a musician, despite the odds, until he reached international stardom. Trombone Shorty is a celebration of the rich cultural history of New Orleans and the power of music.
Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass by
Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass dicuss their efforts to win rights for women and African Americans. Some people had rights, while others had none. Why shouldn't they have them, too? Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African Americans. The premise of this particular exchange between the two is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York, which shows the two friends having tea.
The William Hoy Story by 
You Never Heard of Casey Stengel?! by
Legendary baseball manager Casey Stengel worked with such greats as Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mant≤ he led the New York Yankees to a record-breaking TEN pennants and SEVEN World Series in twelve years; he invented "platooning," a way to use players that revolutionized the game; he was a prankster who became famous for sayings like "Everybody line up alphabetically according to your height." The brains behind any baseball team is its manager . . . and here's a picture-book biography about the best, most beloved and entertaining manager in history! "A first-rate picture book for baseball fans." --Booklist, Starred
Knucklehead by
How did Jon Scieszka get so funny, anyway? Growing up as one of six brothers was a good start, but that was just the beginning. Throw in Catholic school, lots of comic books, lazy summers at the lake with time to kill, babysitting misadventures, TV shows, jokes told at family dinner, and the result is Knucklehead. Part memoir, part scrapbook, this hilarious trip down memory lane provides a unique glimpse into the formation of a creative mind and a free spirit. Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.
Bill Peet by 
Heroes of History by
Discover the world's most famous, brilliant, and crazy characters! Informative narrative text, fictionalized diary entries, and fascinating facts tell the stories of some of the most famous, brilliant, and crazy historical characters to have ever walked the Earth. From warriors like Joan of Arc to rulers like Napoleon Bonaparte to innovators like Charles Darwin and many more, each famous figure's entertaining account gives readers an insight into the heroes of history, their amazing accomplishments, and the world that they lived in. Heroes included are: Sir William Marshall Joan of Arc Saigo Takamori Geronimo Sir Walter Raleigh Roald Amundsen Amelia Earhart Down Walsh and Jacques Piccard Ramses II Elizabeth I George Washington Napoleon Bonaparte Spartacus Martin Luther Harriet Tubman Oskar Schindler Socrates Leonardo DaVinci Charles Darwin Marie Curie Emmeline Pankurst Mahatma Gandhi Franklin Delano Roosevelt Martin Luther King, Jr.
Who Was Albert Einstein? by
Jess Brallier is the publisher of Planet Dexter and the author of more than 20 books. He lives in Reading, MA.
26 Fairmount Avenue by
Tomie dePaola's stories from the momentous year his family built their new house at 26 Fairmount Avenue highlight his wit, sense of humor, and strong family bonds. The book earned raves from reviewers of all ages and a Newbery Honor award.