The young narrator of this story is a little boy who idolizes his grown-up brother. When big brother leaves for the army, he tells the boy that he must now be the man of the house. The boy tries to help his Mama and little brother in ways that would make his older brother proud. The family rituals go on as usual, but the big brother's absence is a cloud that hovers over their daily life. This timely book will touch everyone, especially those who have loved ones in the military.

"An extraordinary book, one no reader will fail to find compelling and unforgettable." --"Booklist," starred review

The star of her school's running team, Sadako is lively and athletic...until the dizzy spells start. Then she must face the hardest race of her life--the race against time. Based on a true story, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" celebrates the courage that makes one young woman a heroine in Japan.

" The] story speaks directly to young readers of the tragedy of Sadako's death and, in its simplicity, makes a universal statement for 'peace in the world." --"The Horn Book ""The story is told tenderly but with neither a morbid nor a sentimental tone: it is direct and touching." --"BCCB"

Rebellious colonists have dumped a shipment of tea into Boston Harbor, and all around Katie, men are arming themselves for war. Neighbors don't speak to each other anymore and someone even hissed "Tory " at Katie because her parents are loyal to England. One unforgettable day, the rebels come. Katie's father tells the family to hide in the woods, but Katie runs back to defend her home. As the rebels rush in to loot the house, Katie hides in her mother's wedding trunk. In a surprise ending, one of the rebels unexpectedly saves her from being discovered, and Katie realizes there may be goodness even in those who seem to be enemies. Ann Turner, acclaimed for her powerful historical picture books, tells the gripping story of one Tory girl's experiences during revolutionary times.

Francisco, a young Mexican-American boy, helps his grandfather find work as a gardener, even though the old man cannot speak English and knows nothing about gardening. "Bunting perfectly captures the intergenerational love and respect shared by these two characters and the man's strong sense of honesty and integrity. Himler's softly colored illustrations reflect the feelings of the characters and setting." -- School Library Journal

A homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, moving from terminal to terminal trying not to be noticed, is given hope when a trapped bird finally finds its freedom.

A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

When Jim returns to school after his dog Muffins' death, the first graders try to share his loss and ease his pain. But Jim refuses to talk or let anyone come near him. He does not participate in any school activities and mopes about, thinking of his beloved dog. However, on the way home from school, Paul cheers up his friend by offering him a slice of pizza and the chance to talk about his dog. Through tears of joy and sadness, Jim finally opens up and shares a sweet memory of Muffins. Miriam Cohen's book deals sensitively with the effect of a favourite pet's death on a child.

Narrates the saga of how the Mennonites left Prussia to avoid military service, went to southern Russia where they learned to raise Turkey Red wheat, and ultimately came to the United States where they helped make Kansas famous for its wheat.

Marianne, heading west with fourteen other children on an Orphan Train, is sure her mother will show up at one of the stations along the way. When her mother left Marianne at the orphanage, hadn't she promised she'd come for her after making a new life in the West? Stop after stop goes by, and there's no sign of her mother in the crowds that come to look over the children. No one shows any interest in adopting shy, plain Marianne, either. But that's all right: She has to be free for her mother to claim her. Then the train pulls into its final stop, a town called Somewhere . . .

Lucy's frisky little puppy, Finn, gets into one scrape after another as Lucy and her family travel westward to Oregon by wagon train in 1843.

After her mother is killed by an explosion that also destroys her Vietnam village, four-year-old Kim is alone and afraid. Eventually, she is rescued by soldiers who bring her to an orphanage.

Surrounded by the love of the couple who run the orphanage, the companionship of the children who live there, and her mother's promise, ?I will always be with you, ? Kim finds the strength and courage to survive.

This picture book for older readers, based on a true story from the Vietnam War, portrays the hope that exists in even the most desperate situations. Poignant illustrations capture the perseverance of the human spirit and the power of kindness.

It's Valentine's Day and the first graders are excited about the cards they will receive. Their teacher tells the children to send a Valentine's card to everyone in the class, so that nobody will feel left out. However, in their eagerness to send the best cards the first graders don't remember to send cards to everyone This upsets George who does not get as many Valentines as everybody else. Luckily, his friends know just how to cheer him up and as they play music and dance around him, it is one happy Valentine's Day party for everybody after all! A reissue of Miriam Cohen's book with new art, provides a realistic insight into the hearts and minds of a special group of first graders. Ronald Himler's new pencil-and-watercolor illustrations skillfully use body language and facial expression to chart the children's emotional highs and lows.