Master James, a Missouri farmer during the 1850s, wants to make sure his slaves had a better life upon his death. So when he passes away, fourteen-year-old Joe, his pap, and the rest of the family are set free.

Stepping in to help, the master's brother, Doc, travels with the freed family to Iowa and lets them work on land that he owns, with the promise that one day it will be their own. But it's not long before the family learns that even though they have gained their freedom, they have not earned respect. They are taunted, harassed, and threatened.

As his family struggles to maintain dignity, young Joe learns from Doc about a plan for an Underground Railroad, which would help enslaved blacks make their way north to the free states. Joe knows that he must help others fight for the freedom, however imperfect, that he's had the privilege of experiencing firsthand. But in doing so, he also knows he risks his very life.

As Joe comes of age, he teams up with abolitionist preacher John Brown and others to organize the Underground Railroad in Iowa, which eventually helps hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of slaves on their way to freedom.

It's Christmas Eve 1914. A group of tired soldiers start singing Stille Nacht. Soldiers the other side of No Man's Land respond with Silent Night. The next day, soldiers on both sides put down their weapons and celebrate the spirit of Christmas Day with a friendly football match. In the sequel to the hugely popular Where The Poppies Now Grow, The Christmas Truce finds soldiers Ben and Ray shaking hands in friendship with Karl and Lars, a tribute to that remarkable moment in history when, for one day, peace found a place. Ideal resource for Remembrance, PSHE and SMSC.

How to Train Your Dragon meets Robinson Crusoe in this high-flying dragon adventure from Lindsay Galvin! 'A striking and original adventure ... just the sort of story I love.' EMMA CARROLL 'WHAT a voyage! [Darwin's Dragons] is everything you hope it will be ...' LUCY STRANGE '[A] beautifully fictionalised story' THE TELEGRAPH Syms Covington has landed the job of a lifetime - cabin boy and fiddler on Charles Darwin's Beagle - but when he is separated from the crew during a storm, his life takes a truly extraordinary turn. Shipwrecked on a Galapagos island, he makes a discovery that could change the world - and make his fortune. But should he share his find, or will it lead to the extinction of a legendary species? There's one person who could help, but he's busy writing a book ... Based on a true story and Charles Darwin's real journal! Perfect for fans of Cornelia Funke's Dragon Rider or Cressida Cowell's How to Train Your Dragon series. Effortlessly blends exciting adventure with a rip-roaring historical story and non-fiction elements.

Voices: Son of the Circus - A Victorian Story explores the life of a young mixed-race boy, Ted, living with his mother and poorly older brother in Victorian Bradfield. When a stranger, a man the boys don't remember ever seeing before, appears in their kitchen, Ted is hit with a shocking revelation. This man is his father - the first black circus owner in Victorian Britain, Pablo Fanque. Before Ted can recover from his shock, he is sent away with Pablo to learn the tricks of the circus trade. Pablo is determined for Ted to follow in his footsteps. But can Ted adapt to this terrifying new life amongst strangers? And will he ever see his beloved mother and brother again? Fresh new voice, E. L. Norry, continues this exciting new series that explores authentic and moving accounts of the life of British immigrants throughout history. Norry shows us a fascinating and rarely seen world that's sure to hook young readers. *** 'E. L. Norry's Son of the Circus is perfect for children with an itch to run away to spit and sawdust and rearing horses, in a fictionalised account of Pablo Fanque, the first black circus proprietor in Victorian Britain. A joy of a book: exciting and brilliantly vivid.' -Katherine Rundell ABOUT THE SERIES: VOICES A thrilling series showcasing some of the UK's finest writers for young people Voices reflects the authentic, unsung stories of our past Each shows that, even in times of great upheaval, a myriad of people have arrived on this island and made a home for themselves - from Roman times to the present day Perfect for teaching children about inclusivity and diversity.

The year is 1922. Brooklyn is crowded with Jewish immigrants and their American-born children. For Debbie, almost 14 it is a wonderful, exciting time in a fresh new land, seen through the eyes of a girl at the edge of womanhood. Change is everywhere-the country is changing and the old ways are changing. But Debbie is changing even faster. She faces all the challenges of growing up: new friends, first love, questions about the future. And she's learning just who Debbie Gold is. Debbie's story is like life itself - timeless, yet always new.

As much as he longs for peace, King Edwin is repeatedly forced into war against treacherous neighbor kingdoms. For twenty years, though, Edwin succeeds in bringing peace, prosperity, and Christianity to England.

Then, Cadwallon, his rival and enemy almost since birth, raises an army to overthrow Edwin. Aided by Edwin's other nephews, Aelfrith's sons, Cadwallon succeeds in killing Edwin at last.

But Cadwallon and his ally Penda betray the other princes and attempt to murder them, killing two. The others escape, regroup and attack the following spring. Cadwallon is killed, Penda is driven off, and Oswald, the oldest prince, takes the throne of Northumbria. Once again, the kingdom is under Christian rule.

For eight years Oswald is Bretwalda. Then Penda returns with a huge force of Britons and Welsh. The Christian Saxon nations band together, facing Penda near Leeds. He and his invaders lose. Oswald, however, also dies in the battle. His brother Oswiu takes the throne. Oswiu marries the daughter of King Edwin, Eanfled, uniting the once-warring families, and establishes Christianity solidly in England. He rules for 28 peaceful years, healing the wounds of the nation.

Enter the Grishaverse with the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by number one New York Times-bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo. Perfect for fans of Laini Taylor and Sarah J. Maas.

Shadow And Bone
Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold - a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed. Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country's magical military elite - and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift. As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation. Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems.

Siege And Storm
Alina Starkov's power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner - hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Shadow Fold. But she and Mal can't outrun their enemies for long. The Darkling is more determined than ever to claim Alina's magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army. But as the truth of Alina's destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling's deadly game of forbidden magic, and further away from her humanity. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the love she thought would always be her shelter. No victory can come without sacrifice - and only she can face the oncoming storm.

Ruin And Rising
The nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while a weakened Alina Starkov recovers from their battle under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Now her hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives. As her allies and enemies race toward war, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world. To win this fight, she must seize a legend's power - but claiming the firebird may be her ruin.

WANTED: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.

When Colton Wescott sees this sign for the Pony Express, he thinks he has the solution to his problems. He's stuck with his ma and two younger sisters on the wrong side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, with no way to get across. They were on the wagon train heading to California when Pa accidentally shot Colton and then galloped away. Ma is sick, and Colton needs money to pay the doctor. He'd make good money as a Pony rider. he also needs to get to California to deliver freedom papers to Ma's sister, a runaway slave. The Pony Express could get him there too...

Does Colton have what it takes to be a Pony Express rider? And if so, will traveling the dangerous route over the mountains bring him closer to family, freedom, and everything he holds dear?

'A deliciously twisted gothic fantasy you'll want to read again and again, with characters you'll adore, prose that'll spellbind you, romance you'll swoon over, and a mystery that'll keep you guessing until the last stunning twist' Diana Urban, author of These Deadly Games Myra has a gift many would kidnap, blackmail, and worse to control: she's a portrait artist whose paintings alter people's bodies. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone. But one frigid night, the governor's wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor's dead son. Once she arrives at the legendary stone mansion, however, it becomes clear the boy's death was no accident. A killer stalks these halls - one disturbingly obsessed with portrait magic. Desperate to get out of the manor as quickly as possible, Myra turns to the governor's older son for help completing the painting before the secret she spent her life concealing makes her the killer's next victim. 'A heady blend of the fantastical, the murderous, and the romantic' Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review 'Marvelously magical and steeping with mystery' Adalyn Grace, author of All the Stars and Teeth

Bronco Manley is camping with his family at the Star Fort National Historic Site. It's the annual reenactment of the Revolutionary War Battle of 96. Bronco and his horse Hammer ride into a light that flashes them back to 1775. Travel with Bronco to Charlestown and ride with Francis Marion to Fort Watson. Then return to 96 with General Greene and participate in the Siege of Star Fort. History is alive in this 3rd book of the Star Fort Saga. Visit Star Fort. Experience history for yourself.