Most Popular Books by Frank Murphy

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “In the pursuit of authenticity, of accurate history and undeniable courage, no words matter more than, ‘I was there.’ Read Luck of the Draw and the life of Frank Murphy and ponder this: how did those boys do such things?” —Tom Hanks The epic true story of an American hero who flew during WWII, as featured in the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks TV Series, Masters of the Air. Beginning on August 17, 1942, American heavy bomber crews of the Eighth Air Force took off for combat in the hostile skies over occupied Europe. The final price was staggering. 4,300 B-17s and B-24s failed to return; nearly 21,000 men were taken prisoner or interned in a neutral country, and a further 17,650 made the ultimate sacrifice. Luck of the Draw is more than a war story. It’s the incredible, inspiring story of Frank Murphy, one of the few survivors from the 100th Bombardment Group, who cheated death for months in a German POW camp after being shot out of his B-17 Flying Fortress. Now with a new foreword written by his granddaughter Chloe Melas, of NBC, and daughter Elizabeth Murphy. “A gripping, inspirational account of incredible bravery, resilience, and sheer will to survive. A truly extraordinary story!” —General David Petraeus, U.S. Army (Ret.)

A funny, entertaining introduction to Ben Franklin and his many inventions, including the story of how he created the "magic square." A magic square is a box of nine numbers arranged so that any line of three numbers adds up to the same number, including on the diagonal! Teachers and kids will love finding out about this popular teaching tool that is still used in elementary schools today!

2020-2021 Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award List 2020 Amelia Bloomer List Winner of the 2019 Eureka! Gold Awards Winner of Best of 2019 Kids Books - Future Classics Category There''s more to being a boy than sports, feats of daring, and keeping a stiff upper lip. A Boy Like You encourages every boy to embrace all the things that make him unique, to be brave and ask for help, to tell his own story and listen to the stories of those around him. In an age when boys are expected to fit into a particular mold, this book celebrates all the wonderful ways to be a boy.

Learn about the abolitionist Frederick Douglass and his fight for freedom in this Step 3 Biography Reader! Frederick Douglass was a keystone figure in the abolitionist movement, and his story has impacted generations of people fighting for civil rights in America. He was born to an enslaved mother and grew up with the horrors of slavery. In the course of his childhood, he was able to learn to read, and soon realized that reading and language were a source of power, and could be the keys to his freedom. Frederick Douglass spoke and wrote about injustice and equality, and his words profoundly affected the conversation about slavery in America. His activism will resonate with kids today who are observing and participating in our activist culture. Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

Stand Up for Caring in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being caring and compassionate. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

Batter up! It’s 1919 and baseball is in trouble! All across the country, people are throwing down their bats, and giving up America’s national pastime. It’s up to Babe Ruth to win back fans and save baseball! Can he do it, or will he strike out?

A vibrant picture book biography of Surya Bonaly, the figure skating champion who backflipped her way into history. As a young girl in France, Surya Bonaly was constantly in motion, gifted in any sport she tried. But it was figure skating that had her heart. Surya knew she belonged on the ice. Her colorful costumes, exuberant routines, powerful jumps, and daring combinations were all expressions of her love for skating and her ambition to push the boundaries of what a figure skating champion could look like. Some people weren''t sure Surya belonged on top of the podium. "Is she graceful enough?" they asked. "Does she look like a skater?" But Surya''s fearless heart propelled her to always stay true to herself while pursuing her boldest dreams. Culminating in her iconic backflip performed at the 1998 Olympics, Fearless Heart is a lushly illustrated, lyrical story of self-expression and courage.

Stand Up to Bullying in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being a good friend and the hazards of bullying. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

Stand Up for Trustworthiness in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being trustworthy. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

Stand Up for Sportsmanship in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being a good sport in all aspects of their lives. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

Stand Up for Fairness in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being fair. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

Stand Up for Respect in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being respectful and earning the respect of others. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

Stand Up for Citizenship in the Growing Character series teaches young readers about the value of being a good citizen. This book is intended to help build a foundation for students to develop into morally responsible, compassionate citizens and, with examples, show them how to make the choices that will let them grow into people of character. All books in the 21st Century Skills Junior library encourage readers to think critically and creatively, and use their problem-solving skills. Book includes table of contents, sidebars, glossary, index, activities, and author biography.

A collection of simple biographies about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION 2023 A moving illustrated biography of the late Joe Delaney, an NFL star in the making who valued helping others above all else On the football field, Joe Delaney possessed all the qualities of a great running back. He was fast with keen instincts, a burst of red and gold as he sprinted toward the end zone for the Kansas City Chiefs. Off the field, he embodied the qualities of a great person: generous, hard-working, humble, and honest. Helping people was simply second nature to Joe. In 1983, on a summer''s day in Louisiana, Joe Delaney gave his life trying to save three children from drowning in a pond. While others stood by, Joe didn''t hesitate before rushing into the water, though he was not a strong swimmer himself. Now, football fans of all teams honor his legacy as an extraordinarily brave young man who cared fiercely for his community. Written with the support of the Delaney family, Heroic Heart is a lushly illustrated, lyrical story of selflessness and courage. Adults and children alike will learn about the remarkable life of this compassionate NFL star.