In pre-Civil War America, Colton Westcott's life is nothing but trouble. He's on a wagon train to California when his Pa accidentally shoots him and then rides away. His baby brother dies, and his mother is sick. Twelve-year-old Colton and his two younger sisters try to keep their wagon rolling when a wheel breaks. Because his mother is black and his father is white, the other people on the wagon train won't help them. They finally get to a town with a doctor where Colton sees a help-wanted sign for the Pony Express. Maybe he could ride for the Pony Express, earn some money, and deliver freedom papers to Ma's sister, a runaway slave, in Sacramento. Follow Colton on the ride of his life, with dangerous mountains, storms, and people who might recognize that he's half-black.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0689871384

ISBN-13: 9780689871382

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Billy is excited about his birthday until a blizzard prevents his cousins from visiting. Even worse, the blizzard isn't bad enough to cancel school, so Billy and Mae, his sister, have to trudge through the snow to their one-room schoolhouse. As the blizzard threatens to trap the children and teacher at school, they decide to stay at the closest home for the night: Billy's house. Through an unexpected turn of events, Billy has visitors for his birthday after all!

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 6/1/2009

ISBN-10: 0823416569

ISBN-13: 9780823416561

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On Thursday, December 6, 1917, two ships collided in Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia. One ship was filled with 2,925 tons of explosive materials meant for the war in Europe. The resulting explosion flattened two towns and killed almost 2,000 people. The next day, a blizzard dumped almost a foot of snow on the still-smoldering ground. This true story is told through the eyes of five families who lived in the towns then. This gripping story uses maps and period photos to illustrate the largest man-made explosion before the atomic bomb, heroic survivals and rescues, and eventual rebuilding.

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award

Awards nominated: 2014 Rebecca Caudill Nominee

Reviewed by: donna

Date read: 1/29/2013

ISBN-13: 9780805089455

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This is an exciting and thrilling adventure story. Samuel Collier is a twelve-year-old orphan in London. He has heard about the gold in the New World and can't believe his good fortune when he is chosen to go with Captain John Smith to the New World. After being on the ship, Susan Constant, and living in the horrible conditions of the 'tween deck, Samuel can hardly believe land has finally been sited. Through sickness, starvation and the native people, the members of the all male James Town colony don't know if they will survive.

Similar books: Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko; Amistad: A Long Road to Freedom by Walter Dean Myers; Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0670060607

ISBN-13: 9780670060603

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Commenter: Bookworm, grade 8

Commenter: Margaret, grade 5

Liz is helping her grandmother pack and clean the old house that has been in the family for years. She awakens suddenly in the middle of the night when she hears a voice. A blue light highlights a woman in an old-fashioned dress that seems to be beckoning her to follow. When Liz travels back to log-cabin days she meets her ancestors, and on one visit is able to provide important help for a sick baby. This gentle story would appeal to readers interested in history, time travel, and benevolent ghosts.

Reviewed by: msp

Date read: 8/11/2011

ISBN-10: 0375831797

ISBN-13: 9780375831799

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