New Releases by Mildred Pitts Walter

The autobiography of a reluctant writer who overcame poverty and racism to become an award-winning, highly published author of books for young readers

Based on the 1957 Little Rock school integration, two teenage girls—one white, one black—are swept up in the fear and prejudice of their divided southern town It''s Sophia Stuart''s last year at Chatham High—only now the pretty, popular high school senior will be sharing classes with nine black students. The Stuart family has differing views. Her dad and older sister''s husband believe everything should stay segregated. Her brother, Burt, who lost an arm in the Korean War, thinks blacks should have the same rights as everyone else. And her boyfriend, Arnold, just took her to a black church because he likes the minister and the gospel music! Fifteen-year-old Eva Collins rides in the back of the bus and goes to a separate church. But she''s finally about to achieve one of her dreams: attending Mossville''s first desegregated school. But the governor has just issued a restraining order delaying integration. With the town divided, the National Guard is called in to maintain order. When the final decision is made, an explosion of violence and an act of heroism will transform Eva and Sophia''s lives forever.

Set during the American Revolution and based on a true story, Elizabeth Freeman, a young slave, sues for her freedom—and wins Sheffield, Massachusetts. Six-year-old Aissa and her older sister, Elizabeth, work as slaves in the home of their owners—Master and Mistress Anna. Raised by Elizabeth after their mother died, and chafing under the yoke of bondage, Aissa is a natural-born rebel. Elizabeth, nicknamed Bett by her owners, is more accepting of her fate in spite of growing anti-slavery sentiment. She marries Josiah Freeman, a freed black man, and they have a child. Then on July 4, 1776, America achieves her dream of independence from England, and in 1780, Massachusetts drafts its own constitution, establishing a bill of rights. When Mistress Anna, angered by Aissa''s defiance, threatens her with a hot coal shovel, Bett takes the blow instead, and is severely burned. She walks out of the house, vowing never to come back—and takes her owners to court. Second Daughter is both riveting historical fiction and rousing courtroom drama about slavery, justice, courage, and the unconquerable love between two sisters.

A young slave's journey to freedom begins when a plantation owner's granddaughter teaches him how to read. Based on the childhood of Alec Turner (1845-1923) who escaped from slavery by joining the Union Army during the Civil War and later became a landowner in Vermont.

When his family attends a reunion in Louisiana, eleven-year-old Ray learns about his Creole roots and about the circumstances that have kept him from ever meeting his father's father.

Novel-Ties study guides contain reproducible pages in a chapter by chapter format to accompany a work of literature of the same title.

Despite his love of drawing and his feelings of inadequacy as an athlete, sixth-grader Xander "Suitcase" Bingham works to become a baseball player to win the approval of his father.

Describes the author''s experiences celebrating Kwanzaa, explains the ceremonies and symbols of the holiday, and offers easy-to-follow suggestions for activities and crafts.

A celebration of the many wonderful things that flourish in darkness.

Christie's family promises her a tiger ride during her visit to the zoo and she is apprehensive until she finds out her tiger is on a merry-go-round.

On a hot, humdrum day Ty meets a man who, using a washboard, comb, spoons, and pail, fills that night with music.

Twelve-year-old Mariah envisions a great summer competing as a diver and planning a surprise party for her sister Lynn but half-sister Denise proves a cloud in Mariah's sunny summer.

Seven-year-old Brandon's attempt to take care of his two-year-old sister Gina results in one disaster after another.

Despite her own ambitions, fifteen-year-old Martha is expected to marry and follow in her grandmother''s footsteps as midwife and healer. Set in the Louisiana bayou. For junior and senior high readers. 1985.

With the help of Good Snake, a young African boy gets his dearest wish.

After a misunderstanding with a white teacher, black honor student Emma is transferred from the integrated high school where she has excelled to a segregated school where she finds a different kind of challenge.

Jason wants to help, but isn't sure that his mother needs him at all after she brings home a new baby from the hospital.

Describes the struggle for civil rights for the blacks in Mississippi, from the time of slavery to the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.