George and his little sister Phoebe are lucky enough to sail with their Aunt on the largest ship ever built. Told from 10 year old George's perspective, we find out what it must have been like on a ship called 'unsinkable' when it sank.

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 12/10/2012

ISBN-13: 9780545206877

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Juan de Pareja was born into slavery in seventeenth-century Spain. To his good fortune, he came to serve the Spanish painter Velazquez. He discovers a love for art and a talent for painting, but he must practice in secret because the law forbade a slave from painting. After many years, Juan is given his freedom but continues as Velazquez's assistant until the great painter's death. Read this first-person account, based on the actual life of Juan de Pareja, to learn about Velazquez and life as a painter during a brilliant era of famous artists.

Awards won: John Newbery Medal

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 1/6/2011

ISBN-10: 0374335311

ISBN-13: 9780374335311

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This is the suspenseful, but true story of the 1914 Shackleton Antarctic expedition when their ship, The Endurance, was crushed in a frozen sea, and the men were forced into a perilous journey over ice, and stormy seas, to reach inhabited land.

Similar books: Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and The Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/14/2009

ISBN-10: 0395915244

ISBN-13: 9780395915240

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Seikei, the son of a tea merchant, wants more than anything to become a samurai in 18th century Japan. Unfortunately, because he was not born into a samurai family, by law he cannot become one of those honored warriors. However, Judge Ooka, one of the most revered judges and samurai in 18th century Japan, has adopted him. Where Samurai Lord Inaba, is murdered in his sleep by a Ninja, Judge Ooka, and his apprentice, Seikei, are called on to solve the murder. Judge Ooka sends Seikei on a journey to Lord Inaba's province, along with a Ninja named Tatsuno, to discover who Lord Inaba's enemies may be, and who would have hired a Ninja to kill him. They learn many startling facts about the old Lord Inaba, and his son, the new Lord Inaba. Seikei even ends up in the Inaba castle dungeon and must be rescued by Tatsuno. Their search ends up on the sacred Ninja mountain where Seikei faces the Ninja murderer. Will Seikei overcome the Ninja's powers, defeat him, and learn the identity of who hired the Ninja to kill Lord Inaba? This is the third book in a series of stories starring Seikei and Judge Ooka. The other books are The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, The Demon in the Teahouse, The Sword That Cut the Burning Grass, A Samurai Never Fears Death, and Seven Paths to Death.

Similar books: Blue Fingers-a Ninja's Tale by Cheryl Whitesel; Samurai Spirit: Ancient Wisdom for Modern life by Burt Konzak; Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan by Eric Kimmel

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0399237674

ISBN-13: 9780399237676

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When you read your history books, you might think that all of the spies, heroes, and warriors who led and fought in the American Revolutionary War were men, but that just isn't true! This book combines bright pictures, interesting facts, and funny stories to tell the tales of a few of the women who helped make and shape this country. Some of the women crossed enemy lines to deliver important messages, and some wrote essays and newspaper articles supporting the American fight for independence. Some of them even dressed up like soldiers and joined the fighting! If you think that history is boring, think again. These incredible women made a difference, and had an exciting time doing it!

Similar books: Sea Queens by Jane Yolen; Wild Women of the West by Jonah Winter

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 5/14/2012

ISBN-10: 0689858086

ISBN-13: 9780689858086

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