Jeni Reeves – illustratör

As the young daughter of a powerful Powhatan leader, Pocahontas befriended the English settlers in Jamestown, Virginia. Although she helped them survive their difficult first years, and she may have saved settler John Smith''s life, they took Pocahontas captive. After her release, Pocahontas married an English settler and journeyed to England. Although she was just twenty-one years old when she died, Pocahontas changed American history through her compassion and friendship.

The animals of the grasslands have a problem. A very hungry lion wants to eat them all! To keep the lion happy, they agree to send one animal for him to eat every day. When the hare learns it’s his turn to be the lion’s dinner, he is not happy! Can this clever hare save himself—and all the other animals—from the lion?

What color is Kenya? It''s white like the snow on top of Mount Kenya, gray like the boabab tree, and pink like flamingos. Get to know Kenya in this beautifully illustrated introduction to a land with proud people, breathtaking landscape, and wild animals.

What color is Russia? It is white like the vast snowfields of Siberia, blue like Lake Baikal, and gold like the dome of a Russian Orthodox church. Through compelling illustrations, young readers are introduced to the startling beauty and intriguing history of Russia, the largest country in the world.

Babe Didrikson was running and jumping hedges at the age of eight. Her dedication to training and practicing resulted in her becoming one of the greatest woman athletes of the century. Although she won two gold medals and one silver medal in track and field events at the 1932 Olympics, Babe excelled in every sport that she played.

Jackie Mitchell has always wanted to be a great pitcher, and she finally has the chance to become one! In her first minor league game, she is up against two of the greatest home-run hitters of all time—Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Does she stand a chance?

In early 1836, trouble broke out in Texas. Texas was part of Mexico, yet many of its settlers wanted to fight for independence. Mexican General Santa Anna and his army came to battle the Texans in San Antonio at the Alamo.Eight-year-old Enrique Esparza witnessed the battle. His father was a soldier with the Texas army. The whole Esparza family had taken shelter at the Alamo, but they knew it might be dangerous. Would they survive?In the back of this book, you’ll find a script and instructions for putting on a reader’s theater performance of this adventure. At our companion website—www.historyspeaksbooks.com—you can download additional copies of the script plus sound effects, background images, and more ideas that will help make your reader’s theater performance a success.

Late in the spring of 1787, fifty-five men gathered at the Pennsylvania State House. They came to write a new constitution for the United States. The leader of this Constitutional Convention was George Washington. The other men were delegates.The men knew it would be hard for them all to agree on what the constitution should say. But they also knew that a new constitution was important. The young country was in trouble. It had no main leader. Instead, a lawmaking body—the U.S. Congress—ran the country. But Congress didn’t have enough power. Some delegates thought the national government needed to be stronger. Others did not. Would they be able to cooperate and write a constitution together?In the back of the book, you’ll find a script and instructions for putting on a Reader’s Theater performance of this event. At our companion website—www.lerneresource.com—you can download additional copies of the script plus sound effects, background images, and more ideas that will help make your Reader’s Theater performance a success.

More than anything, nine-year-old Booker T. Washington longed to go to school, but he had to get a job to earn money for his family. Though the Civil War had freed them from slavery, Booker''s family had to work hard to survive. Booker didn''t forget his dream. He taught himself the alphabet, studied at night after work, and was able to realize his dream.

The book describes the origins of the Passover story in the story of Moses and the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. It also explains how the holiday is celebrated today and includes a discussion of the Seder.

Mike Fink was the best keelboater on the river, and he was the first to admit it. He knew the river’s tricks. He could ride a waterfall like a bucking bronco, and he even wrestled alligators. What would happen when he made a bet with Davy Crockett? Could he win the race with Powderkeg Pete? Hop on board this rollicking story of an American tall tale hero.

Born a slave, Frederick Douglass grew up facing hunger, hard work, and terrible beatings. After overhearing that reading was the key to freedom, Frederick became determined to learn to read. Against all odds, he did learn and escaped from slavery. A powerful and inspirational speaker, Frederick spoke and wrote about his remarkable life and fought for the freedom and equal rights of African American men and women.

Muslims around the world celebrate the month of Ramadan to honor Allah. During every day in that month, Muslims do not eat food between sunrise and sunset. Then, each night at sunset, they say special prayers and eat a special meal. After almost four weeks of fasting this way, they have a great three-day festival called Eid al-Fitr to celebrate the challenges they met during Ramadan and the coming year.

Eleven-year-old Willie McLean knows that General Lee will defeat the Yankees and win the Civil War, he just knows it. When a battle moves to the fields near his home in Appomattox, Virginia, Willie’s thrilled—especially when General Lee, himself, comes to Willie’s house! But then General Grant comes, too. Overhearing the two men talk, Willie hears one word: Surrender. Is the war really over?

The sky god Nyame owns all the stories in the world. He keeps them to himself in a box in his kingdom in the clouds. But Anansi thinks the stories should be shared by all creatures. So one day he strikes a bargain with the sky god. If Anansi can trick some of the earth’s fiercest and quickest creatures, Nyame will share his stories. Learn how Anansi wins the box of stories in this ancient tale from West Africa.