Jamaica Ladies is the first systematic study of the free and freed women of European, Euro-African, and African descent who perpetuated chattel slavery and reaped its profits in the British Empire. Their actions helped transform Jamaica into the wealthiest slaveholding colony in the Anglo-Atlantic world. Starting in the 1670s, a surprisingly large and diverse group of women helped secure English control of Jamaica and, crucially, aided its developing and expanding slave labor regime by acquiring enslaved men, women, and children to protect their own tenuous claims to status and independence. Female colonists employed slaveholding as a means of advancing themselves socially and financially on the island. By owning others, they wielded forms of legal, social, economic, and cultural authority not available to them in Britain. In addition, slaveholding allowed free women of African descent, who were not far removed from slavery themselves, to cultivate, perform, and cement their free status. Alongside their male counterparts, women bought, sold, stole, and punished the people they claimed as property and vociferously defended their rights to do so. As slavery's beneficiaries, these women worked to stabilize and propel this brutal labor regime from its inception.

Jamaica Ladies is the first systematic study of the free and freed women of European, Euro-African, and African descent who perpetuated chattel slavery and reaped its profits in the British Empire. Their actions helped transform Jamaica into the wealthiest slaveholding colony in the Anglo-Atlantic world. Starting in the 1670s, a surprisingly large and diverse group of women helped secure English control of Jamaica and, crucially, aided its developing and expanding slave labor regime by acquiring enslaved men, women, and children to protect their own tenuous claims to status and independence. Female colonists employed slaveholding as a means of advancing themselves socially and financially on the island. By owning others, they wielded forms of legal, social, economic, and cultural authority not available to them in Britain. In addition, slaveholding allowed free women of African descent, who were not far removed from slavery themselves, to cultivate, perform, and cement their free status. Alongside their male counterparts, women bought, sold, stole, and punished the people they claimed as property and vociferously defended their rights to do so. As slavery's beneficiaries, these women worked to stabilize and propel this brutal labor regime from its inception.

Christine Walker's son was just four years old when he was diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, and autism. In 2004, knowledge of and resources for childhood mental illness were scarce and Christine was thrust into a lonely maze of figuring out which treatments, therapies, and medications could help her child. In the decade since his diagnosis, Christine often wished for a manual, a guide that would pass on "real deal" mom-to-mom information and tips she needed to sometimes just get through the day and ultimately to help her family navigate this maze with knowledge, grace, humor, and love. For those at the beginning of the journey, this is that manual. "Chasing Hope is a GPS for any family raising a child with special needs. Written by a parent on the journey, Christine Walker gives not only hope to parents, but simple, effective, and meaningful steps to be part of policy solutions." -Former Congressman John Edward Porter Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Former chairman of PBS and Trustee Emeritus, JFK Center for the Performing Arts "Christine Walker's Chasing Hope presents a candid portrayal of an ongoing journey. The trip chronicles her emotion-filled experiences related to seeking answers and solutions for her son who has significant disabilities. Chasing Hope honestly addresses the sadness, disappointment, frustration, and anger. It also captures the hope and happiness associated with her son. This book, which highlights extensive and exhaustive searching, offers tremendous insights to families with children with significant needs. Chasing Hope should be read by all parents, educators, and physicians." -Dr. Tim Thomas Northern Suburban Special Education District Superintendent "The Zen philosopher Alan Watts echoed the wisdom I've gleaned from the lake. 'The only way to make sense out of change, ' he said, 'is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.'" -Phil Jackson (quoting Alan Watts) 11-time NBA championship and Hall of Fame coach "Chasing Hope is not only a resource for families with children with autism and mental illness, but for policy makers as well. Schuyler's story illustrates a serious policy failure. Mrs. Walker's willingness to share her family's story in such an authentic manner is exceptional, and exemplifies the fearlessness she has shown throughout Schuyler's journey. The resolution of policy failures is only possible when brave families, like the Walkers, give voice to the issues. That Mrs. Walker had to become an expert in Schuyler's condition and the policy options available is heartbreaking, but her commitment to sharing the knowledge she acquired will undeniably help countless families." -Dr. Angela Fontes Northwestern University "As a health professional and parent of a child with ASD I found myself reliving many of the emotions and feelings that were evoked by this book. The struggle to get the right diagnosis and treatment will strike a cord with parents. Some of the writing was so true to life that it raised the hairs on the back of my neck; reading about how driven a parent can become in this situation was fantastic. The lack of help for these children is an international problem and it is important for health professionals, policy makers, and other parents to hear such stories so that further action can be taken to improve help for future generations. I would encourage everyone who has an interest in this area to read this account and to reflect on the issues raised." -Dr. Khalid Karim Senior Clinical Teaching Fellow, University of Leicester, England Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Leicestershire Partnership Trust, Leicester, England

Walker and Shaw link the teaching of ten commonly taught reading strategies such as sequencing, compare and contrast, and prediction to newly published picture books. Each chapter of the book explains a strategy, furnishes a graphic organizer with which to teach it, and an in-depth modelled discussion of how to use the strategy with two or three books. Additionally, each chapter furnishes an annotated bibliography of other books that would lend themselves easily to the teaching of this strategy. being asked to support reading instruction as part of the instructional programme in their library (as opposed to the usual programme of literary appreciation, reading motivation etc), but are not given long periods of time to work with students. These lessons are quick and self-contained. Each lesson comes with reproducible templates to make laminated graphic organizers that can be used again and again with various books to teach each of the ten strategies. Primary school teachers would also find this book useful. Links commonly-taught reading strategies to books Contains clip-art and other reproducible resources

In 2002, Wendy Chamberlin resigned her post as U.S. ambassador to Pakistan stating that "There are many people who can be an ambassador . . . but nobody else can be my daughters' mother." Do you share Chamberlin's parenting philosophy? Are you among the 87% of women with a child or children under the age of 12 working outside the home who would really rather spend more time at home than away from it? Perhaps you want a greater sense of balance between your home and work lives but don't know where to start. And of course, there's the sticky issue of money--can your family thrive without your income?

The Smart Mom's Guide to Staying Home addresses in detail one of the most common fears that often prevents parents from shifting their full-time focus from the office to home: how not to sacrifice your standard of living when going from two incomes to one. Based on the philosophy that deprivation never worked for anyone, you will learn how your family can enjoy many of the riches they currently do and still prosper without missing a beat.

With real-world, every day approaches to spending decisions, The Smart Mom's Guide to Staying Home provides 65 easy and simple ways to keep more of your family's money and make the money you have go further. From grocery shopping and eating out to fashion and feedback, The Smart Mom's Guide to Staying Home is a terrific resource for planning and achieving financial harmony, greater life balance and personal fulfillment.