Most Popular Books by Elvira Woodruff

In 1851, 12-year-old orphan Austin Ives joins a wagon train headed for California. As he makes his way across the country, Austin writes home to his brother Levi, describing life on the rugged Overland Trail. Extensively researched, with episodes based on true incidents, "the epistolary format and character development offer solid reading."--Booklist An IRA Teachers'' Choice

In late seventeenth-century England, eleven-year-old Digory, forced to leave his hometown after his father is lost at sea, becomes an apprentice to the architect Henry Winstanley, who built a lighthouse on the treacherous Eddystone Reef -- the very rocks that sank Digory''s grandfather''s ship years before.

To Knit or Not to Knit is a unique Dear Abby/mini-knitting essay collection, offering humorous tales of triumph and terror on the needles, with a witty nod to the famous and infamous throughout history. As Mrs. Wicks happily quotes everyone from William Shakespeare to Beatrix Potter, she adds her own wit and wisdom to answer a variety of questions on knitting ranging from, Is there a quick fix for dropped stitches? to My boyfriend says my passion for knitting is stronger than my passion for him—what should I do? A number of Mrs. Wicks’ own patterns are sprinkled throughout, along with her sound advice for stitches dropped and love gone wrong. Ever the optimist, she advises her readers to pick up their needles, dust off their hearts, and cast on without looking back. Knitter and non-knitters alike will enjoy this literary look at life lessons offered through a wooly lens, from Pablo Narudo’s poem “Ode to My Socks” (hand knit of course), to Ogden Nash’s witty words on the frustration of being married to a knitter, To Knit or Not to Knit is a quirky, enjoyable read, making it the perfect gift for the passionate knitter and thoughtful reader alike.

Now in paperback! In this companion novel to Dear Levi, told in letters,11-year-old Levi helps a young African American in a harrowing flight for freedom along the Underground Railroad.

During a school trip to Ellis Island, Dominick Avaro, a ten-year-old foster child, travels back in time to 1908 Italy and accompanies two young emigrants to America.

"One day this child shall hold the very heart of our family in the palm of her hand," predicts Granny on the day Darcy Heart O''Hara is born in a cottage on Derry Lane, in the town of Pobble O''Keefe, in County Kerry, Ireland. Darcy grows up to be a noticer, delighting in the small beauties all around her: a dew-covered spider web, castles in the clouds, a shiny wooden rosary bead. Life is simple but sweet in Pobble O''Keefe, with her family gathered round the hearth in the evenings while Granddad''s voice fills the small room with stories. But in 1845, a blight strikes the land, the potatoes turn rotten, and Darcy and her family must leave Ireland forever. How will Darcy ever find a way to to bring the small beauties of home across the sea to America? Elvira Woodruff''s story of emigration, heartbreak, and hope is vividly illustrated with the warm, evocative oil paintings of Adam Rex.

While enjoying a innocent lakeside campout, five modern-day children are transported back in time to the days of George Washington and other American Revolutionary figures. Reprint.

This historic time-travel fantasy is a riveting sequel to a bestselling classic.Ten-year-old Matt Carlton and six friends are accidentally swept back in time--to Boston in 1776! The British now occupy the city, and redcoat guards are everywhere! While the boys are being held captive by a den of Patriot spies, the girls have been taken in by a wealthy Tory family.The pox is rampant; danger lies around every corner--and there''s no hope for returning home to their own time. How will these seven children survive?Readers will relish the nonstop action and humorous dialogue in this riveting sequel to Woodruff''s bestselling novel, GEORGE WASHINGTON''S SOCKS.

In the early 1900s, two cousins leave their Russian shtetl with the rest of their family to come to America, hopeful that they will all pass the dreaded inspection at Ellis Island.

After his family moves to a different part of town, Matthew tries to get back to his old house by trying on different pairs of wings in an unusual wing shop.

Ever since his parents died, Nick has lived in a house above a funeral home owned by his aunt and uncle. Nick''stired of doing chores for his perfectionist uncle and having his friends make fun of him. The new neighbors next door think he''s a part of "the Addams family."

Vacationing on a farm in West Virginia near the haunted glass factory where crazy old Irwin Loop used to make marbles, eleven-year-old Jenna decides to use the place to shock her mute younger brother into talking.

Ten-year-old Andy''s life changes after a strange encounter with an ancient mummy during a class trip to the museum.

Thrilled to find an old chemistry set at her grandmother''s summer cottage, Nelly mixes up a youth potion for her grandmother, who actually becomes younger . . . but she starts shrinking! Illustrated.

Fifth graders Freckle and Tyler meet an unusual bicycle salesman and inventor who turns out to be Leonardo da Vinci, traveling through time.

Noah Murphy carries his plastic "little guys" everywhere. One day, while sitting on the school bus with his younger brother, Jess, Noah makes a wish using magic powder from the toy machine. Noah looks at his little guys--Commander Falcon and Sergeant Gordy and three headless green aliens. "Let them all come to life, all my guys. And let me be their size, so I can have an adventure with them." That''s when the bus hits a bump and strange things start to happen. Will the fourth grade at Roosevelt School ever be the same again?

Andy''s offerings for show-and-tell always seem to bore his kindergarten class until one day he finds a magic bottle of bubbles that temporarily transports all of them on an aerial adventure.