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Taut free verse tells the little-known story of the first contraband camp of the Civil War - seen by some historians as the "beginning of the end of slavery in America". One night in 1861, three escaped slaves made their way from the Confederate line to a Union-held fort. The runaways were declared "contraband of war" and granted protection. As word spread, thousands of runaway slaves poured into the fort, seeking their freedom. These "contrabands" made a home for themselves, building the first African American community in the country.

Who’s Got Mail? is an intriguing and fact-filled look at how the mail has been delivered in the United States since before the Constitution was even signed. Full of eccentric characters, great stories, and technological achievements, this fun middle-grade narrative nonfiction from author Linda Barrett Osborne celebrates one of the oldest and strongest institutions, and is a true testament to the spirit of American democracy.

British-born Thomas Paine came to Philadelphia in 1774. He clearly heard the colonists' cries for liberty. They stirred his own political philosophy and ideals for freedom. He committed the powerful mixture to print with revolutionary pamphlets such as Common Sense. Paine helped set the stage for the Declaration of Independence and profoundly influenced the course of our nation's history and ideology.

Of all the military men America produced during the 19th and 20th centuries, it’s hard to find one as important, successful, and controversial as General Douglas MacArthur. The son of a Civil War veteran, MacArthur rose to become the most instrumental commander in the Pacific Theater during World War II. History for Kids: An Illustrated Biography of Douglas MacArthur for Children profiles the amazing life and career of the American war hero while also examining his personality and analyzing his lasting legacy.

Visit the Sunflower State! Learn about Kansas' history, geography, weather, people, and more in this book that's all about our 34th state.

Born as Theodor Geisel in 1904, Dr. Seuss was attracted to writing humorous stories from a young age, even as a contributor to Dartmouth's humor magazine. During the first 30 years of his life, he wrote humorous short stories, articles, and even comic strips for a variety of publications. Occasionally, he used his middle name, Seuss, to publish. But it was not until the late 1930s and early 1940s that "Dr. Seuss" truly found his niche in children's publications.

Visit the Palmetto State! Learn about South Carolina's history, geography, weather, people, and more in this book that's all about our eighth state.

Nevermore brings one of America’s most enigmatic writers to the attention of a new generation of children. This intriguing biography examines the life and times of the author and poet who would have a huge influence on future generations of writers, poets, artists, and even songwriters. Poe pioneered the psychological horror story, the detective story, and the emerging genre of science fiction. Through his dark tales and unforgettable verse, as well as his literary criticism, he made major contributions to the development of the modern short story and modern poetry in America.

The Lincoln Memorial honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. It also stands today as a symbol of unity and freedom. Why does it stand for these things? Join a tour guide and learn more about the creation and importance of the Lincoln Memorial.

The fifth book in the Making of America series examines the life of America’s 32nd president: his birth into one of America’s elite families, his domineering mother, his marriage to Eleanor Roosevelt, his struggle with polio, and his political career. A Democrat, Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) won a record four presidential elections and is the longest-serving US president. During his time in office, he led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. He helped to redefine the role of the US government with the New Deal.

Winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Nonfiction and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. Flight. Loneliness. Fear. Danger. Courage. Charles Lindbergh considered all these things and more when he set out for Paris on the morning of May 20, 1927, with only two compasses and the stars for his...

The terrifying true story of the deadly blizzard that unexpectedly slammed the Midwest, catching many young lives in its path—part of the New York Times bestselling What Was? series, featuring 16 pages of photos. On January 12, 1888, an unforseen blizzard broke out in the middle of an...

An encyclopedia of mind-bogglingly random history facts that will lodge in your brain and refuse to leave. Heard about King Henry II's polar bear that was allowed to swim in the River Thames? Or the Japanese soldier who refused to believe that WWII was over and continued to fight until the 1970s?...

Discover the haunted places of one of America's most notable cities. Listeners will find just the right amount of scariness for a cold, dark night.

Jacob Riis was determined to improve the living conditions of the poor—to fill their dark, ramshackle places with sunlight and soft, green grass. Places where children could play. After immigrating to New York City and working as a news reporter, Jacob was deeply affected by the poverty surrounding him, especially in the tenements.

Hear ye, hear ye! Get ready to learn all about the most powerful court in the United States. Ever since it was established in 1789, the United States Supreme Court has had a major impact on the lives of all Americans. Some of its landmark decisions have helped end segregation, protected a...

What was it really like to be a sheriff in the Old West? Most people know the famous names—but the frontier was shaped by hundreds of hardworking lawmen you’ve probably never heard of. In Unsung Heroes of the Wild West, young readers will explore 25 true stories of forgotten sheriffs, marshals, deputies, and Rangers who kept order in places where the rules were still being written. These weren’t movie characters. They were real people doing a tough job in real towns—cattle stops, mining camps, border settlements, and wide-open counties where a single ride could take days. Inside, ...

In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. Or did he? Listeners will learn the full story about Christopher Columbus’s famous voyage.

Critically acclaimed author Jabari Asim gives listeners a fascinating glimpse into the boyhood of civil rights leader John Lewis. Even as a very young boy, John Lewis knew he wanted to be a preacher when he grew up. He wanted to be the kind of leader who could use his passionate speeches to stir hearts to change, minds to think, and bodies to take action. But why wait to grow up? At five years old, when he became the official caretaker of the 60 chickens on his family's farm, he realized he had a wonderful audience to practice on.

It all started when John “Minnie” Moore built a mine in Idaho and sold it to Englishman Henry Miller. Then Henry married a local lass named Annie and built her a mansion, hence the “Millers’ Minnie Moore Mine Mansion.” After Henry died and Annie was hoodwinked—losing all but the mansion—she and her son took to raising pigs in the yard, as some are wont to do. But the town wanted those pigs out. Who could have guessed that Annie and her crew would remove the whole mansion instead—rolling it away slowly on logs—while she and her son were still living in it?