The Legend of Count Dracula was inspired by this real-life Prince. Vlad had a thirst for blood and loyalty meant nothing to him. He betrayed his friends and family and befriended his enemies.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/28/2009

ISBN-10: 0531125998

ISBN-13: 9780531125991

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'Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa' by Jeanette Winter tells about Wangari Maathai's stuggle to bring the 'green' back to her native Kenya. Due to an increasing demand for lumber, most of Kenya's trees had been cut down. Where it had once been a paradise, Kenya was now battling soil erosion, crop failure, and barren land. Wangari was determined to reverse these changes. She decided to start reforesting Kenya by planting nine little seedlings. She enlisted the help of village woman to plant additional trees. This idea, known as the Green Belt Movement, spread throughout Africa. All across Africa, women were planting trees. In 2004, Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to world peace. In this story, we learn how one person's courage and determination changed the world.

Similar authors: Donna Napoli; Nelda La Teef

Similar books: Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya by Donna Napoli; Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton; The Market Lady and the Mango Tree by Pete Watson; The Hunter and the Ebony tree by Nelda La Teef; Nobel's Women of Peace by Michelle Benjamin; Path's To Peace: People Who Changed The World by Jane Breskin Zalben

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/28/2010

ISBN-10: 0152065458

ISBN-13: 9780152065454

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Alice Roosevelt was a baby when her mother passed away. Her father, Theodore Roosevelt, missed his first wife dearly, but married again and had more children. Alice didn't feel she ever really belonged to the family and was a challenging child to raise. Another title for the book is How Alice Roosevelt broke the Rules, charmed The World, and drove her Father Teddy Crazy! She was taught at home, wanted a pet monkey, and wanted to wear pants which no proper lady would be seen in. Alice was a tomboy. Because Alice was the daughter of a president, she did presentations and was supposed to act proper. Enjoy this story of beloved Alice. The world loved her!

Reviewed by: cj

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0439922313

ISBN-13: 9780439922319

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Can you imagine how it would be if there was one thing you could do better than anyone else, something you loved very much, and people kept telling you that you were not allowed? Marian began singing for her neighbors, and for her church, at the age of seven. Everyone who heard her stopped what they were doing to listen to her beautiful voice. Yet, when Marian tried to go to a professional school for voice, she was told that, 'We don't take your kind!' As a black woman in the 1930s, and throughout her life, Marian was always being told that she couldn't sing in certain places, or for certain audiences, or she couldn't go to certain schools, but Marian found ways to do those things. To learn how she did, and to hear more of her story, be sure to read this book.

Similar books: Others by Pam Munoz Ryan: Esperanza Rising; Mice and Beans; Richard Wright and the Library Card

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/13/2009

ISBN-13: 9781591129448

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The extraordinary life of Joy Adamson is told in this remarkable adventure story. A modern day 'Renaissance woman,' she was also an accomplished pianist and artist whose detailed drawings of nature hang in museums across the world. During her forty years in Kenya, she sheltered and studied many wild animals, including cheetahs and leopards. Her biggest and most well-known accomplishment is proving to the world that once a wild animal has been domesticated, it can be successfully returned to the wild, as she did with Elsa, the lioness in Born Free, with whom she shared a remarkable bond. All the royalties from her books go to support animal orphanages and national parks in Africa. Her efforts led to raising world consciousness about humane treatment of animals and the importance of saving endangered species.

Reviewed by: ewl

Date read: 2/10/2011

ISBN-10: 0152013687

ISBN-13: 9780152013684

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