Barnaby Sharpe liked climbing trees -- he was practicing to be a ship's captain and would need to climb masts someday. One early evening during the War of 1812 he was sitting in a tall oak tree, hoping to be the first to catch sight of the British warships that were expected to bombard St. Michaels, Maryland.

In an unusual turn of events, Barnaby's tree climbing leads him to a brilliant idea to outwit the British. And that leads to his becoming a hero. This story of a young boy who was smarter than the grown-ups is a great morale booster for children and a pleasure for them to share with their parents.

Amanda Wetherby was nine years old in May of 1774, when the people of Chester Town, Maryland, as a sign of their support of the people of Boston, voted not to buy, sell, or use tea. At the supper table one evening, talk turned to the unfair tax Britain had levied on the colonists and what that had to do with the shipload of tea aboard the Geddes in the harbor. Amanda was very unhappy not to have tea to drink with meals. The next day, her brother, George, swaggered off to a tea party just for men. Hot, thirsty, and tired of pulling weeds in the garden, Amanda decided she would go too, and get some of that tea to wash down the dust. And if the party is for men only-why, she would dress as a boy! So Amanda becomes part of an event that is still celebrated each May in modern Chestertown. Early reader-ages 5-8.

Fourth-grader Jerry Johnson loves soccer and dreams of being a star someday like his hero Pele until the telephone rings as he's leaving for the playground and second-grader, Sherita complicates his life and his game. He likes her but she asks too many questions and makes him late to the playground until she causes him to lose his latchkey freedom AND his soccer games. Jerry finds himself on the line...in more ways than one

"A light-hearted yet realistic story...Should both entertain and encourage its reader."- Kirkus Reviews

Shortlisted for 1993 Sequoia, 1994 Maryland and West Virginia Awards

Zarah hates to miss ballet classes. What is she going to do all summer without electricity, microwave, refrigerator, INDOOR PLUMBING? Why does her young cousin Loomis rake dirt all day? And why is that chicken so frizzled? "A sophisticated New Yorker returns unwillingly to her roots when her mother sends her for a summer with her grandmother Quanamina . off the Carolina coast."-"Kirkus" "Stong, smart, and creative, Zarah is a memorable heroine."-"The Horn Book" "Fine character development lends credibility to this rich and compelling story of clashing cultures and human understanding."-"SLJ"