Imogene loves history, so much so that she reopens the Liddleville Historical Society with the help of her dad.  When her beloved historical society is set to be demolished Imogene becomes a one woman army.  Children will love seeing young Imogene take on the town and will learn something too! 

Loosely based on the sinking of the Royal Tar (which had been carrying circus animals) Van Dusen has created a delightful book about the unique bond between friendship and  community. Colorful illustrations help bring the story to life. 

“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” are the immortal words of Nathan Hale, hung September 22, 1776 for being a spy. Flashbacks to 1774 fill in the events leading up to his death. Chapters alternating between schoolmaster Nathan Hale and a pupil, Jonah Hawkins tell the complicated story of wanting to do what’s right even when others think it is wrong. An excellent choice of historical fiction that will have readers racing for the inevitable outcome.

Deborah Sampson wanted to fight for her country; Deborah Sampson wanted to fight for freedom-unfortunately, during the American Revolution in was against the law for women to fight. Lucky for us she did it anyway. This is the amazing story of a young woman’s experiences in the Revolutionary war-from battles to bathing to bullet wounds.  A terrific way to learn about women’s contributions to the war effort.  

Most children learn about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Ben Franklin-what they aren’t taught is that women also fought for our independence. This title aims to fill in the missing pieces. Interspersed among facts about the Revolution are details about what women and girls were doing to help: boycotting British items, drinking coffee, spying on British troops and sending messages in balls of yarn, even fighting alongside their husbands!). The informative text is supplemented with fact bubbles, a running timeline across the bottom of the page, and a fact or fiction section. Wonderful illustrations, in addition to the educational text, make this an ideal read for the month of July.

The poems in this book are divided into 8 sections spanning from the American Revolution to the Iraqi War. Poems are a combination of those written by well-known poets – Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, Carl Sandburg, etc. and soldiers courageous enough to write while on the front lines. This moving collection is filled with raw emotion and dynamic artwork perfect to share with children whose parents are currently serving or with family that already have.