Most Popular Books by DEBORAH HOPKINSON

During the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, a mother and son shelter a young Confederate deserter.

When his father leaves to fight in World War I, Mikey joins the Central Park Knitting Bee to help knit clothing for soldiers overseas.

Help young readers become young writers with this sweet picture book about a child finding the words to tell his own story! If you’ve ever tried to write a story of your own, you know it’s not as easy as it looks. Words get tangled, pencils get broken, piles of pages get crumpled up. It’s so much easier just to read all the lovely stories other people have written. . . . But their stories aren’t your stories, and your tale is worth telling. A mostly empty page Then another. And still another. There are squiggles. There are doodles. But the words won''t come. With the gentle reassurance of experience, two-time SCBWI Golden Kite Award Winner Deborah Hopkinson writes a story that encourages persistence, and celebrates the strength of every child’s unique voice and the story they have to tell. Charming illustrations by Hadley Hooper detail the child’s efforts-- and the stroke of inspiration that helps him get going. This is the perfect picture book for kids who love stories and have big ideas of their own. Young readers who don’t know where to start will be encouraged by the gentle humor, and a page of story-starting ideas offers the opportunity to expand the experience beyond the book. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection A CCBC Choice

This funny, touching picture book celebrates the difference a good teacher can make. Written as a thank-you note to a special teacher from the student who never forgot her, this moving story makes a great classroom read-aloud, and a perfect back-to-school gift for students and teachers! Dear Teacher, Whenever I had something to tell you, I tugged on your shirt and whispered in your ear. This time I’m writing a letter. So begins this heartfelt picture book about a girl who prefers running and jumping to listening and learning—and the teacher who gently inspires her. From stomping through creeks on a field trip to pretending to choke when called upon to read aloud, this book’s young heroine would be a challenge to any teacher. But this teacher isn’t just any teacher. By listening carefully and knowing just the right thing to say, she quickly learns that the girl’s unruly behavior is due to her struggles with reading. And at the very end, we learn what this former student is now: a teacher herself. From award winning author Deborah Hopkinson and acclaimed illustrator Nancy Carpenter, this picture book is made to be treasured by both those who teach and those who learn.

This lyrical, environmentally focused picture book showcases the unique beauty of our one and only universe--its galaxies, stars, and planets--as well as our one and only Earth and the precious life it contains. Join one girl as she leads her friends to a tree-planting ceremony. Along the way, she explains in simple language the value of the universe and Planet Earth. Readers will see the Big Bang, the Milky Way, all the planets in the solar system, as well as Earth''s atmosphere, and the life within it: its oceans, trees, bugs, and seven billion human beings. Finally, the girl and her friends plant a tree--doing one small thing to help their one special planet. Both informative and inspiring, here is a beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated science picture book about our universe that will encourage young readers and listeners to protect and preserve the environment.

At work, at play, at home, in the White House. The White House is a museum, the office of the chief executive, a gathering place for leaders and visitors from around the globe, and it is also a home for one special family—the First Family. This book follows a day in the life of the Obama family: President Barack, First Lady Michelle, First Daughters Malia and Sasha, and even First Pup Bo. From moving in on inauguration day to making important decisions, hosting state dinners, planting a garden, exploring the historic house, and leading around the Secret Service, the First Family is very busy. Deborah Hopkinson and AG Ford take young readers through an extraordinary ordinary day in the life of America''s much-beloved First Family.

Apples, ho! When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can''t bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too. But the trail is cruel -- first there''s a river to cross that''s wider than Texas...and then there are hailstones as big as plums...and there''s even a drought, sure to crisp the cherries. Those poor pippins! Luckily Delicious (the nonedible apple of Daddy''s eye) is strong -- as young ''uns raised on apples are -- and won''t let anything stop her father''s darling saps from tasting the sweet Oregon soil. Here''s a hilarious tall tale -- from the team that brought you Fannie in the Kitchen -- that''s loosely based on the life of a real fruiting pioneer. Apple Facts More than 7,500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the world. About 2,500 varieties grow in the United States. The apple variety Delicious is the most widely grown in the United States. Apples are part of the rose family. The science of fruit growing is called pomology. Fresh apples float. That''s because 25 percent of their volume is air. Cut an apple in half, across the core, and you''ll see a star shape. It takes apple trees four to five years to produce their first fruit. It takes about thirty-six apples to make one gallon of apple cider.

Klondike or bust! Stowing away on the steamer "Al-Ki" was only the beginning of Davey''s daring quest to find his uncle in the Klondike. Now he''s camping in the rough-and-tumble town of Skagway, working for his photographer friend Erik Larsen, and preparing for his next challenge -- the steep, treacherous, hundreds-of-miles-long Chilkoot Trail. When Erik falls ill on the trail, Davey fears he will not be able to go on -- until he gets help from a surprising ally.

Inspired by the life of pioneering female baseball player Alta Weiss, and dramatized by Terry Widener’s bold illustrations, Girl Wonder tells the unforgettable story of a true American original. Alta Weiss was born to play baseball, simple as that. From the age of two, when she hurls a corncob at a pesky tomcat, folks in her small Ohio town know one thing for sure: She may be a girl, but she’s got some arm. When she’s seventeen, Alta hears about a semipro team, the Independents. Here’s her big chance! But one look at Alta’s long skirts tells Coach all he needs to know—girls can’t play baseball! But faster than you can say “strike out,” Alta proves him wrong: Girls can play baseball!

This Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book and ALA-ALSC Notable Children''s Book provides a riveting brick-by-brick account of how one of the most amazing accomplishments in American architecture came to be. It’s 1930 and times are tough for Pop and his son. But look! On the corner of 34th Street and 5th Avenue, a building straight and simple as a pencil is being built in record time. Hundreds of men are leveling, shoveling, hauling. They’re hoisting 60,000 tons of steal, stacking 10 million bricks, eating lunch in the clouds. And when they cut ribbon and the crowds rush in, the boy and his father will be among the first to zoom up to the top of the tallest building in the world and see all of Manhattan spread at their feet.

Susan B. Anthony was taught that girls and women could do anything boys and men could do--if only they were allowed. She fought for a woman''s right to own property, hold down a job, and, more importantly, vote. Full color.

While Papa is off fighting on the Missouri border, Charlie is left in charge of the family in their remote cabin in Bleeding Kansas while a fierce prairie blizzard rages in this second book in the 1850s-set Prairie Skies chapter book series. When Charlie and Papa arrive in Lawrence for supplies, they find the bustling Kansas town threatened by border ruffians from pro-slave Missouri. Papa decides to remain behind with other free-soil settlers to defend the town, so Charlie must drive the wagon back to the family’s isolated claim by himself. At home, a different sort of storm is brewing; gray skies, bitter cold, and vicious winds warn that a prairie blizzard is coming, all while Charlie’s new sibling is coming too—Momma is in labor. Charlie is always getting into trouble for daydreaming and forgetting his chores. Now he has to show he’s grown-up enough to help Momma, his sisters, and his newborn baby brother survive in their tiny cabin in the snow.

Step into the quiet magic of this celebration of summer nighttime and the mystery of a world lit differently by the moon. On a summer night, the world is still. Even the crickets think it’s too hot to sing. But all at once, a girl wakes. In the kitchen, the cat rolls onto its soft paws. A neighbor’s small white dog yaps, a brown rabbit peeks from a hedge, and the leaves of a cherry tree begin to stir in the breeze. Readers witness and wonder: Who has woken them all? In this soothing bedtime story, the quiet of a warm summer night is brought to vivid, magical life with the soft steps of bare feet, the padding of paws, and the bright, golden light of the moon. One by one, each creature is roused and then gently returned to sleep in a lovely and lyrical exploration of wakefulness, restfulness, and the mysterious calm of the night. PERFECT FOR BEDTIME . . . OR ANYTIME: This beautifully illustrated children''s book is ideal for soothing young readers to sleep—or encouraging a contemplative break in an energetic day. The story’s engagement with the wonders of nighttime will help children feel comforted by the dark and the prospect of going to sleep rather than afraid of them. READ-ALOUD READINESS: With its lyricism and short refrains, this gentle story is just right for sharing. CONNECTION TO NATURE: This magical book gradually reveals the moon as a character as it wakes girl, cat, dog, rabbit, tree, air, and cloud in turn—and connects them to one another through the welcoming quiet and wonder of a world gilded by moonlight. THE POWER OF SLOWING DOWN: Picture books are often wonderful excuses to slow down and share a moment of gentleness in kids'' (and parents'') busy lives; this book feels like a deep breath and offers a chance to wonder and reflect. Perfect for: Kids who can''t sleep on hot summer nights Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking a sweet bedtime book Librarians and storytime leaders looking for a summer read-aloud Gift givers who want to share a beautiful, lyrical book with someone special Readers of such classic bedtime stories for kids as Goodnight Moon and The Going to Bed Book

Based on the life of Ella Sheppard Moore, this glowing picture book tells the story of a determined and resilient singing group with a lasting legacy. A loving narrator shares the story of her great-grandmother Ella with her niece. Ella, the daughter of a slave, and the Jubilee Singers traveled all over the world singing the old sorrow songs, the songs of slavery. Their hard work raised funds to keep their college open and pave the way for thousands of students. This luminous, lyrical story is a poignant reminder that the old spirituals, or jubilee songs, stood for hope and freedom.

From the award-winning duo behind the bestselling Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt comes the stunning, richly illustrated sequel about a young enslaved girl who follows a quilt’s message to freedom. When night falls, and all is quiet, a slave girl starts to run. She follows the moon into the woods, leading her loved ones away from their master under the quilt of night. Guided by the stars, they head north in the direction of freedom. At last, the girl sees a quilt with a center square made from deep blue fabric and knows it''s a signal from friends on the Underground Railroad, welcoming her into their home. Can she bravely step forward and lead her family to freedom?

An inspiring tale of creativity and determination on the Underground Railroad from Coretta Scott King Award winner James Ransome and acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson. Clara, a slave and seamstress on Home Plantation, dreams of freedom—not just for herself, but for her family and friends. When she overhears a conversation about the Underground Railroad, she has a flash of inspiration. Using scraps of cloth from her work in the Big House and scraps of information gathered from other slaves, she fashions a map that the master would never even recognize. . . . From the award-winning author-illustrator team of Deborah Hopkinson and James Ransome, this fictional tale of the Underground Railroad continues to inspire young readers 25 years after its original publication. "Inspiring." —The New York Times "A triumph of the human spirit." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

The rights of children--and of all living things--begin in small places, close to home. This is a poetic and moving adaptation of U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights in honor of its seventy-fifth anniversary. In backyards and city parks, in school and at home--wherever and however we move through this world, we have certain inalienable rights--and it''s up to each one of us to ensure those rights for others, too. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by Eleanor Roosevelt and signed on December 10, 1948, marked the first time that countries agreed on a comprehensive statement of inalienable human rights. This gorgeous adaptation for children reminds us that universal rights begin in small places, close to home. We all deserve to live free, to feel safe, to belong, to learn, to dream.

The suspenseful tale of two courageous kids and one inquisitive scientist who teamed up to stop an epidemic. “A delightful combination of race-against-the-clock medical mystery and outwit-the-bad-guys adventure.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Eel has troubles of his own: As an orphan and a “mudlark,” he spends his days in the filthy River Thames, searching for bits of things to sell. He’s being hunted by Fisheye Bill Tyler, and a nastier man never walked the streets of London. And he’s got a secret that costs him four precious shillings a week to keep safe. But even for Eel, things aren’t so bad until that fateful August day in 1854—the day the deadly cholera epidemic (“blue death”) comes to Broad Street. Everyone believes that cholera is spread through poisonous air. But one man, Dr. John Snow, has a different theory. As the epidemic surges, it’s up to Eel and his best friend, Florrie, to gather evidence to prove Dr. Snow’s theory—before the entire neighborhood is wiped out. “Hopkinson illuminates a pivotal chapter in the history of public health. . . . Accessible . . . and entertaining.” —School Library Journal, Starred “For [readers] who love suspense, drama, and mystery.” —TIME for Kids

"What is breathtakingly shown here, through accurate, cross-hatched watercolor paintings; excerpts from Sullivan’s correspondence to her former teacher; and concise and poetic language, is the woman’s patience and belief in the intelligence of her student to grasp the concepts of language," praised School Library Journal in a starred review. Author Deborah Hopkinson and illustrator Raul Colón present the story of Helen Keller in a fresh and original way that is perfect for young children. Focusing on the relationship between Helen and her teacher, Annie Sullivan, the book is interspersed with excerpts of Annie''s letters home, written as she struggled with her angry, wild pupil. But slowly, with devotion and determination, Annie teaches Helen finger spelling and braille, letters, and sentences. As Helen comes to understand language and starts to communicate, she connects for the first time with her family and the world around her. The lyrical text and exquisite art will make this fascinating story a favorite with young readers. Children will also enjoy learning the Braille alphabet, which is embossed on the back cover of the jacket.

Danger Close To Home Papa is in danger for helping to rescue a free-state settler who was unjustly arrested by Kansas''s proslavery sheriff. He has gone into hiding, and Momma and the Keller children are alone in their remote cabin while marauding border ruffians are roaming the countryside, looking for livestock to steal. But there''s a lot more at stake at the Keller homestead than their chickens and cows. Charlie has come upon Lizzie, a runaway slave girl trying to make her way to freedom in Canada, and the Kellers are hiding her at their cabin. With the violence in Kansas Territory escalating, the Underground Railroad isn''t running. Can Charlie and his family keep Lizzie safe until she can escape from Kansas?