Best Selling Books by Denise Kiernan

The beautifully illustrated true story of how Thanksgiving became a national holiday in America, of Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman who made the holiday happen, and of the role of gratitude the world over. Marvelously brought to life by the New York Times bestselling author Denise Kiernan. All across the world, among hundreds of cultures and across centuries, people have come together to give thanks. But Americans didn’t have an official Thanksgiving holiday until the 1800s. The holiday Americans know today exists because of a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale, a spirited letter-writing campaign, a sympathetic president, and a civil war. This beautifully illustrated picture book shares the true story of how Thanksgiving became a national American holiday and offers a look at the timeless and global power of gratitude.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Girls of Atomic City and The Last Castle comes a sweeping chronicle challenging the traditional mythology of the nation''s beginnings and championing the unsung women behind the American Revolution. History has always celebrated the "Founding Fathers"—the sly but victorious tactics of Washington, the daring exploits of Lafayette, the grand ideas of Jefferson. Yet we rarely hear of the women who kept the colonies running and liberty alive. Obstinate Daughters finally rewrites the story of America’s birth by revealing the courageous, resourceful women whose actions shaped a nation. From the battlefields to the printing press, from the plantations to the pulpit, these women fought, spied, published, preached, farmed, organized. From the front lines to the home front, from the colonies to the frontier, these unsung heroines turned the tide. In Obstinate Daughters, readers will meet women who armed themselves and took matters into their own hands to defend their town. A Cherokee leader who warned patriot settlements of looming attacks, risking the lives of her own people in the process. A British spy at the center of a plot to assassinate George Washington. Enslaved women who risked their lives while fighting a parallel battle for their own freedom, embodying the very ideals the revolution claimed to uphold. The only woman to have her name on the Declaration of Independence. And many more. As she has done so many times before, Kiernan masterfully weaves these individual stories together into a single, compelling narrative and carves a place in history for these impactful females. With journalistic rigor and narrative flair, Kiernan reminds us that the past is always open to challenge, and that every untold story can inspire a new generation.

Looks at the valuable contributions made by the thousands of women who worked at a secret uranium-enriching facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during World War II.

A New York Times bestseller with an “engaging narrative and array of detail” (The Wall Street Journal), the “intimate and sweeping” (Raleigh News & Observer) untold true story of the Biltmore Estate—the largest private home in America—and the remarkable woman who helped ensure its survival. The story of Biltmore spans World Wars, the Jazz Age, the Depression, and generations of the famous Vanderbilt family, and features a captivating cast of real-life characters including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, Teddy Roosevelt, John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, Henry James, and Edith Wharton. Orphaned at a young age, Edith Stuyvesant Dresser claimed lineage from one of New York’s best known families. She grew up in Newport and Paris, and her engagement and marriage to George Vanderbilt was one of the most watched events of Gilded Age society. But none of this prepared her to be mistress of Biltmore House. Before their marriage, the wealthy and bookish Vanderbilt had dedicated his life to creating a spectacular European-style estate on 125,000 acres of North Carolina wilderness. He summoned the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted to tame the grounds, collaborated with celebrated architect Richard Morris Hunt to build a 175,000-square-foot chateau, filled it with priceless art and antiques, and erected a charming village beyond the gates. Newlywed Edith was now mistress of an estate nearly three times the size of Washington, DC and benefactress of the village and surrounding rural area. When fortunes shifted and changing times threatened her family, her home, and her community, it was up to Edith to save Biltmore—and secure the future of the region and her husband’s legacy. This is the fascinating, “soaring and gorgeous” (Karen Abbott) story of how the largest house in America flourished, faltered, and ultimately endured to this day.

This young readers adaptation of the New York Times bestselling We Gather Together shares the true story of how Thanksgving became a national holiday and the way gratitude is looked at in America Fiction: Thanksgiving is an American holiday that began when the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and met the Indigenous tribes already living there. Fact: Thanksgiving celebrations existed before the United States of America and were celebrated in other countries as well. Fiction: American Thanksgiving was always on the fourth Thursday in November. Fact: Thanksgiving’s day, date, and even its existence was at the discretion of the president and other leaders until the date was officially established by Congress and signed into law by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. Fiction: George Washington is the person who decided we should celebrate Thanksgiving as a nation at the same time each year. Fact: Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and author, petitioned five presidents until she convinced Abraham Lincoln to declare a national day of Thanksgiving in November of 1863, starting an annual tradition continuing to this day. There is much fiction surrounding the creation of Thanksgiving in America. Denise Kiernan debunks myths, provides facts, and explains how and why Thanksgiving evolved in the United States the way it did—and what gratitude means to society. This young readers adaptation of Kiernan’s We Gather Together should be required reading in every school in America today.

This is a book for people like us, and we all know who we are. We make our own hours, keep our own profits, chart our own way. We have things like gigs, contracts, clients, and assignments. All of us are working toward our dreams: doing our own work, on our own time, on our own terms. We have no real boss, no corporate nameplate, no cubicle of our very own. Unfortunately, we also have no 401(k)s and no one matching them, no benefits package, and no one collecting our taxes until April 15th. It’s time to take stock of where you are and where you want to be. Ask yourself: Who is planning for your retirement? Who covers your expenses when clients flake out and checks are late? Who is setting money aside for your taxes? Who is responsible for your health insurance? Take a good look in the mirror: You are. The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed describes a completely new, comprehensive system for earning, spending, saving, and surviving as an independent worker. From interviews with financial experts to anecdotes from real-life freelancers, plus handy charts and graphs to help you visualize key concepts, you’ll learn about topics including: • Managing Cash Flow When the Cash Isn’t Flowing Your Way • Getting Real About What You’re Really Earning • Tools for Getting Out of Debt and Into Financial Security • Saving Consistently When You Earn Irregularly • What To Do When a Client’s Check Doesn’t Come In • Health Savings Accounts and How To Use Them • Planning for Retirement, Taxes and Dreams—All On Your Own

This handbook is the perfect patriotic present for any engaged United States citizen. Who played the first game of baseball? What’s a bicameral congress? Where did Mount Rushmore come from? Who is Geronimo and why do we yell his name when we jump? Plus: • All about the Declaration of Independence • Ten Books Every American Should Read • Assassination Attempts on U.S. Presidents • The History of the Statue of Liberty • How to Bake the Perfect Apple Pie

Signing Their Rights Away chronicles a moment in American history when our elected officials knew how to compromise—and put aside personal gain for the greater good of the nation. These men were just as quirky and flawed as the elected officials we have today: Hugh Williamson believed in aliens, Robert Morris went to prison, Jonathan Dayton stole $18,000 from Congress, and Thomas Mifflin was ruined by alcohol. Yet somehow these imperfect men managed to craft the world’s most perfect Constitution. With 39 mini-biographies and a reversible dust jacket that unfolds into a poster of the original document, Signing Their Rights Away offers an entertaining and enlightening narrative for history buffs of all ages.

Signing Their Lives Away introduces readers to the eclectic group of statesmen, soldiers, slaveholders, and scoundrels who signed this historic document—and the many strange fates that awaited them. Some prospered and rose to the highest levels of United States government, while others had their homes and farms seized by British soldiers. Signer George Wythe was poisoned by his nephew; Button Gwinnett was killed in a duel; Robert Morris went to prison; Thomas Lynch was lost at sea; and of course Sam Adams achieved fame as a patriot/brewer. Complete with portraits of the signers as well as a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, Signing Their Lives Away provides an entertaining and enlightening narrative for history buffs of all ages.

The biography of footballer John Harkes, of Sheffield Wednesday (1990-1993) and Derby County (1993-1994), the first ever American to play in the English Premier League, FA Cup Finalist in 1994, and twice World Cup Finalist with the USA in 1990 and 1994. The story covers Harkes''s career as a college and Olympic soccer player, playing at the top level in England, experiencing the Wembley dream, representing his country in two World Cups and helping to establish Major League Soccer in the USA. His account is entertaining and often controversial.

Raiders of the Lost Ark! Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom! Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! These are three of the biggest blockbusters of all time. Now George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford are teaming up for Indiana Jones 4-due in theatres May 22, 2008.What''s the movie about? Who cares! Fans will be packing the theatres no matter what.The Indiana Jones Handbook follows in the grand tradition of The Batman Handbook, The Superman Handbook and The Spider-Man Handbook-but with an all-new four-colour format that highlights some of the greatest moments in the films. Readers will learn everything a modern archaeologist needs to know, including: *How to ride an elephant*How to identify booby traps*How to fend off a gang of swordsmen*How to blend into foreign cultures*How to avoid the wrath of God*And much, much more!

This new series is the ultimate illustrated science guide for non–scientists. With over 200 full color images, illustrations, charts, and other visual aids, Science 101 explains major areas of science in an interesting, visually compelling, and accessible manner. These books will fill the need for an authoritative, popular reference in science and technology for students and adults alike. Chemistry, often called the central science, is everywhere in our modern society––food, clothes, cosmetics, medical diagnostics, and microchips. In SCIENCE 101: CHEMISTRY fundamental facts and concepts are presented along with dynamic and informative imagery.

80 fun, skills-packed reproducible practice pages reinforce math skills taught in grades 4 and 5.

Most students studying English will have an interest in the United States and may even visit the exciting city of New York! This book provides lively and up-to-date information on New York and its people, places and culture. The emphasis is on a functional, communicative approach so students practise their English in a motivating, meaningful way whilst learning about this fascinating city.

Looking for a fun and easy way to help kids build math skills? Look no further! These 40 reproducible practice pages give you an instant and fun way to reinforce skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, time, money, and lots more. You can also use them for review, assessment, and test prep. Content is correlated to the NCTM standards. For use with Grades 2-3.

Offers variations of such popular games as Go Fish, Tic-Tac-Toe, and Bingo to help students build fluency in addition and subtraction with fractions and decimals.

Vous qui avez toujours rêvé d''être Indiana Jones, de faire claquer votre fouet, de retrouver des trésors perdus ou d''échapper aux pièges les plus insolites, plongez-vous dans cet incontournable Guide de survie. Organiser une expédition. Déchiffrer des hiéroglyphes. Monter à dos d''éléphant. Echapper à des sables mouvants. Survivre à une explosion nucléaire. Et une multitude d''autres conseils pour les apprentis archéologues de sept à soixante-dix-sept ans