The Red Badge of Courage is considered one of the most influential works in American literature. The novel, a depiction on the cruelty of the American Civil War, features a young recruit who overcomes initial fears to become a hero on the battlefield. The book made Crane an international success.

Growing up during a war is hard enough with sudden shortages, battle noises and split loyalties. But having your father and brothers off fighting in the War make it even harder. At least it seems harder to eleven year old Elise Mc Kale, a young girl growing up in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her father and brothers are fighting alongside the Patriots. But her best friend's family has sided with the Loyalists. Where should Elise's loyalties be? When news reaches Elise and her mother, that her father and two of her brothers have been captured and her other brother is dead. Elise makes a final decision to be a Patriot. How could she side with the people who have hurt her family? But now she must make an even harder decision. Should she wait at home where it's safe and hope for the best? Or should she put a plan into action that will reunite her family? Whatever she chooses she will need all the help she can get, from her enemies

On February 14th, 1969, Second Lieutenant James Patrick Witt, of the United States Marine Corps, became one of the 58,000 American casualties of the Vietnam War. The anniversary of his death on Valentine's Day, even after twenty-five years, continues to be extremely painful for the soldier's survivors. Although born after his Uncle Jim's death, Patrick Cicerchi has grown up in awe of his war-hero Uncle, and has felt a strong tie to him. When Patrick is given a school assignment to write an essay about someone who has influenced his life, and when the project is due on February 14th. Patrick knows that he must write about Uncle Jim.

"A Valentine for Uncle Jim," is the true story of 2LT Jim Witt, recipient of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart Medals. It contains historical data presented within the framework of a novel. It is a book with universal appeal, written for both young adults and for those who lived through the Vietnam War years.

Contained in this book is a teaching guide, which lends itself to classroom instructional application with middle school and high school students.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated by the author, to the D.O.V.E. Fund (Development of Vietnam Endeavors), a non-profit corporation, in loving memory of her childhood friend, Jim Witt.

Set in New Zealand at the beginning of World War I, this novel depicts four children who band together to find out who has been setting fire to buildings all over town.

Undying Glory was chosen as a CBC/NCSS Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies. Kirkus Reviews gave it an outstanding starred review, saying it showed how black soldiers "proved their competence and dignity against incredible odds." Another reviewer declared that the battle scenes rivaled "any I have read in fiction or nonfiction." The success of the 54th Regiment at Fort Wagner and other battles cleared the way for the enlistment of 200,000 black men in the Civil War that ended slavery. The story of their courage, said one Union commander, "will be forever traced in undying glory."

Inside the cabin of a B-29 on a 3,000 mile trip to bomb Japan!
Larry Nelson, a farm boy from South Dakota, enlisted in the Army Air Corps to fulfill a romantic dream to become a pilot. Romance turned to harsh reality when he failed an eye exam and became a navigator instead. Harsh reality became terror inside the cabin of a B-29. When high altitude bombing raids on Japan failed, they turned to devastating night fire raids on Japanese cities. These raids resulted in the near total destruction of Tokyo-Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka and other smaller cities.

Although only a cook, Doris Miller fought bravely against Japanese attackers at Pearl Harbor. The young African-American from Texas was one of the first sailors to earn the Navy Cross during World War II, and the first African-American. He became a hero to the country and a proud icon for the African-American community and the war effort in general. Despite his notoriety and accolades, Miller returned to combat and was killed in action. This is the story of his heroic life from one of the top non-fiction writers in the West. From his boyhood in Waco, Texas, to his death in the Pacific, Bill O'Neal tells the tale of a World War II hero.

Eleven-year-old Walter can't believe his eyes when he sees the eviction notice from Ralph, the rotten nephew of his old friend, General Britt. It isn't so bad for Walter and his mother, who also lives there--she would have no trouble finding another housekeeping job to support them both. But what about the old soldiers, the last surviving members of the crack World War II rescue force called the Spitzers, who saved the general's life more than forty years before?
This warmly humorous novel shows two very different generations banding together to outwit a cunning adversary in order to see justice and honor prevail!

Stephen Decatur was one of the most awe-inspiring officers of the entire Age of Fighting Sail. A real-life American naval hero in the early nineteenth century, he led an astonishing life, and his remarkable acts of courage in combat made him one of the most celebrated figures of his era.

Decatur's dazzling exploits in the Barbary Wars propelled him to national prominence at the age of twenty-five. His dramatic capture of HMS "Macedonian" in the War of 1812, and his subsequent naval and diplomatic triumphs in the Mediterranean, secured his permanent place in the hearts of his countrymen. Handsome, dashing, and fearless, his crews worshipped him, presidents lionized him, and an adoring public heaped fresh honors on him with each new achievement.

James Tertius de Kay is one of our foremost naval historians. In "A Rage for Glory, " the first new biography of Decatur in almost seventy years, he recounts Decatur's life in vivid colors. Drawing on material unavailable to previous biographers, he traces the origins of Decatur's fierce patriotism ("My country...right or wrong!"), chronicles Decatur's passionate love affair with Susan Wheeler, and provides new details of Decatur's tragic death in a senseless duel of honor, secretly instigated by the backroom machinations of jealous fellow officers determined to ruin him. His death left official Washington in such shock that his funeral became a state occasion, attended by friends who included former President James Madison, current President James Monroe, Chief Justice John Marshall, and ten thousand more.

Decatur's short but crowded life was an astonishing epic of hubris, romance, and high achievement. Only a handful of Americans since his time have ever come close to matching his extraordinary glamour and brilliance.

Developed to complement the Middle/High School teaching guides, these student study guides were created as reproducible support for extension and self-directed study of the books. Every chapter is covered by a lesson, which includes activities to reinforce the following areas: access, vocabulary, map skills, comprehension, critical thinking, working with primary sources and further writing. Each study guide contains reproducible maps and explanations of graphic organizers, as well as suggestions on how to do research and special projects.

During the Middle Ages, tournaments and jousting were both an occasion for public festivities and a way of training knights. Describing various types of combat with the use of primary source material and magnificent illuminated manuscripts, this book provides a look into the jousts and tournaments that entertained the people and trained knights for war. Though considered mock combat, many knights lost their lives during these jousts and melees.

This book gives an exciting overview of the US Marine Corps, from when it first formed to its missions and members today, as well as their tasks, equipment, and training. Short paragraphs of easy-to-read text are paired with plenty of photos to make reading engaging and accessible. The book also includes a table of contents, fun facts, sidebars, comprehension questions, a glossary, an index, and a list of resources for further reading. Apex books have low reading levels (grades 2-3) but are designed for older students, with interest levels of grades 3-7.