New Releases by James Lincoln Collier

The sequel to the Newbery Honor classic My Brother Sam Is Dead by bestselling author James Lincoln Collier! Tim has lost both his father and his brother, Sam, to the Revolutionary War. And for what? The war continues, with fighting and bloodshed all around him, no closer to peace. As the violence grows, Tim and his mother struggle to stay neutral, but Tim’s anger is unrelenting. Haunted by memories of his brother’s final moments, Tim is starting to realize that eventually, everyone must take a side. But which side should pay the price for his brother’s death: the British or the Rebels who led Sam into the line of fire? Each played a part in Sam’s death, so it’s up to Tim to decide how to avenge his brother. Will he be able to get the justice his brother deserves, or will he have to accept the fact that Sam’s death was the ultimate price for freedom? In an all-too-timely sequel, Newbery Honor–author James Lincoln Collier picks up the story of My Brother Sam Is Dead in another powerful examination of patriotism, family, and what it means to be an American.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. The volumes in this collection explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. This collection features six books in the Drama of American History series, covering American history from prehistoric Native American life and culture through the Federalist era of the late eighteenth century: Pilgrims and Puritans: 1620–1676 The French and Indian War: 1660–1763 The Paradox of Jamestown: 1585–1700 Clash of Cultures: Prehistory–1638 The American Revolution: 1763–1783 Building a New Nation: The Federalist Era, 1789–1801

At fourteen, Fergy is tired of his family''s life style. He''s tired of living in a van with his parents, J. P. and Gussie, and his younger sister, Ooma. He''s sick of peddling honey and pamphlets of his father''s writings. And most of all he hates stealing things, even though J. P. says it''s all right to "reclaim" necessities from society. Fergy listens to J. P. talk about the evils of "the system," and gradually Fergy realizes that he no longer believes or respects his father. In fact, Fergy longs more than anything to be a part of that system! One day, when Fergy''s father steals a motor home from an elderly couple who have befriended them, Fergy knows the time has come to act. He''s fed up, and he has to escape. Early one morning, with Ooma in tow, Fergy runs away. Gussie''s wealthy parents live in Boston, and Fergy hopes that if he can find them, he and Ooma can have the "regular and normal" life he longs for. How Fergy comes to grips with his relationship with his parents and his own expectations makes a provocative, at times painful, but always absorbing story about a boy''s determination to make a better life for himself.

Nick Hodges had always been a troublesome boy. Growing up an orphan in his Uncle Jack''s care in a small New England town wasn''t easy. Everyone was a little wary, a little watchful—a little too watchful. One day, while Nick is walking in the woods, a neighbor thinks she sees him miles from where he actually is. Soon a series of events reinforcing Nick''s hotheaded reputation unfold. The incidents become increasingly serious until, finally, Nick is the scapegoat for a much more sinister crime, one that he wouldn''t even think of committing. As he uncovers history of the town''s influenza epidemic, and as he observes a strange occurrence in the graveyard, Nick begins to suspect something out of the ordinary is happening. And when he sees a figure running in the woods wearing the mirror image of his own shirt, Nick starts to piece together some of the answers—answers no one could have imagined. James Lincoln Collier has written a haunting story of a boy and his reflection—and what happens when two souls want to inhabit the same living body.

It’s 1895 in New York City. Hard times have hit, and life isn’t going to get noticeably better any time soon. Almost-thirteen-year-old Chipper Carey is running with the Midnight Rats kid gang just to survive. Chipper doesn’t normally like to think beyond the present. His past has been bad enough! Ma died of consumption when he was six. His short-lived stay with Aunt Millie and Uncle Bert consisted of endless beatings. He never even knew his father. Sure, Chipper feels badly about the gang’s stealing and fighting. He knows Ma wouldn’t have approved. He knows she wanted and expected a respectable life for him. What does it matter that even he sometimes feels he’s different, maybe even better, than the rest of the gang? What ultimately has to matter is reality, and without the Midnight Rats, Chipper would have nothing. He’d starve. He’d face thrashings more serious than those inflicted by the police. Worst of all, he’d be alone. Fortunately for Chipper, fate takes over and introduces him to the wealthy Miss Sibley. For once, it becomes possible for him to forget that the rich are the enemy. For once, like his Ma, someone else believes that he really was meant for something better.

Life for indentured servants in pioneer Virginia is hard. It is doubly hard for Richard Ayre, a London orphan who had been scooped off the streets as a child and sent to the Jamestown Colony. But a chance encounter with an Indian boy his own age gives him a friend, the first real friend he has had in years—until his master''s plan to raid an Indian village for corn turns Richard''s world upside down. Soon their friendship and loyalties will be put to the test.

Christopher Quincy was an American boy whose father admired everything British. As a result of this trait, Chris found himself trapped at St. Basket''s, an ancient London school founded—and built—in the time of Henry VIII and, Chris thought, it looked it. The corridors were dim and drafty, and the rooms of the boarding pupils, of whom Chris was one of four, were gloomy and unpretentious. Still, Chris had good company in his two roommates, Leslie Plainfield, who was English, and David Choudhry, a Pakistani. The three were close friends, which made it all the more horrifying when Chris and Leslie saw Mr. Jaggers, the games master, deliberately, so it seemed, break David''s leg with a hockey stick. Unaccountably, Mr. and Miss Grime, the school heads, refused to have a doctor for David. In the midst of apparent security and traditional British calm, a truly macabre and dangerous situation was building up. How Chris schemed desperately to get help from outside is told in the exciting and often hilarious story of a modern American boy''s courage and ingenuity.

Fifteen-year-old Ben Buck and his family spent four years clearing the wilderness to build a new home in Pennsylvania. They fought the Indians and the British, and they made sacrifices most people wouldn''t have been strong enough to make, all so they could be independent and free. Now someone''s trying to take everything away from them—their land, their home, even Ben''s best friend, Joe. But the Bucks won''t give up without a fight, and Ben knows his family will have to win a war to stay free. But what he doesn''t know is that wars sometimes last a very long time. And even if you win in the end, you can lose almost everything along the way.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Rise of Industry gives a detailed account of the industrialization of America in the last decades of the nineteenth century. It includes descriptions of the technological advances of the late 1800s, poor working conditions, the rise of large corporations and labor unions, and eventual government regulation.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Rise of the Cities discusses the factors leading to the settlement and growth of cities in the United States and examines some of the social problems that are part of city life. The authors explore the role of technological advances, governing strategies, and social welfare.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The United States in World War II provides background on American sentiments prior to US involvement in the war. The authors contend that it may have played out differently if some countries, including the US, had been prepared and/or willing to become involved sooner. Fascist ideology is defined.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. A Century of Immigration reviews the century of 1820 through 1920, in which there were two waves of immigration to the United States. This book discusses the varied motivations and nationalities of these new Americans, as well as the effects of mass immigration on the country as a whole, and the rise of antiforeign sentiments among more recent immigrants.

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes, and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. In The Middle Road, the terms democrat, republican, liberal, and conservative are defined. Readers learn how these philosophies dominated and shifted during the years covered in this volume.

Justin Conkey was too young to fight in the Revolution of 1776, but now it is 1787 and he is fourteen. Justin is ready to fight, even if he has only his father''s old sword to protect him. But once on the battlefield, war is not what he expected. It is dangerous and frightening and nothing makes sense. Throughout a particularly bitter winter the young man is desperate to prove that he too can be a hero—not realizing that many times heroes turn out to be just ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events, who do what comes naturally to save others regardless of risk to themselves. Insisting on joining General Daniel Shays'' group of Regulators, he lies about his age and marches with the group throughout New England. But war puts friendships and political convictions to the test.

When her spendthrift father goes into debt after buying a sheep and the inner workings of a clock, fifteen-year-old Annie Steele is sent to work in the town''s new wool mill to help support her family. Her job is full of risk—especially after she and her friend Robert discover that the mill''s cruel overseer is stealing bags of wool and decide to do something about it. Annie longs for the chance to continue her schooling and become a teacher. Will she ever be able to leave the mill?

History is dramatic—and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in a compelling series aimed at young readers. Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation. The Jeffersonian Republicans examines various events between 1800 and 1823 that helped to shape the United States. The Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, and important Supreme Court decisions are among the discussed events.

Building a New Nation chronicles the development of the new government following the signing of the Constitution. It explores the political views of the young nation''s leaders as they struggled to form a strong nation, despite the foreign and domestic dilemmas that they faced. The authors describe the beginnings of the two-party system, the administrations of the first three presidents, and key decisions by each branch of the government that shaped the future of the country.

Hispanic America, Texas, and the Mexican War examines the history of the southwestern area of the United States. Topics covered include the settlement of the area that became the southwestern portion of the United States, detailing how it evolved from land settled by Native Americans, to Spanish territory, to states that were pawns between the North and South prior to the Civil War.

Using a narrative format, Creating the Constitution details the events leading up to the writing of the US Constitution and what American leaders went through to create it. The authors describe the conflicts between the new states and the delegates each sent to the Constitutional Convention, as well as the work that was done to resolve the many issues at hand.

Young Daniel Arabus and his mother are slaves in the house of Captain Ivers of Stratford, Connecticut. By law they should be free, since Daniel’s father fought in the Revolutionary army and earned enough in soldiers’ notes to buy his family’s freedom. But now Daniel’s father is dead, and Mrs. Ivers has taken the notes from his mother. When Daniel bravely steals the notes back, a furious Captain Ivers forces him aboard a ship bound for the West Indies—and certain slavery. Even if Daniel can manage to jump ship in New York, will he be able to travel the long and dangerous road to freedom? The second book in the Arabus family saga finds young Daniel trying to retrieve the notes that ensure his and his mother’s freedom, until he is forced aboard a boat and headed for certain slavery in the West Indies.

Fifty-five men met in Philadelphia in 1787 to write a document that would create a country and change a world: the Constitution. Here is a remarkable rendering of that fateful time, told with humanity and humor. Decision in Philadelphia is the best popular history of the Constitutional Convention; in it, the life and times of eighteenth century America not only come alive, but the very human qualities of the men who framed the document are brought provocatively into focus—casting many of the Founding Fathers in a new light. A celebration of how and why our Constitution came into being, Decision in Philadelphia is also a testament of the American spirit at its finest.

A vivid portrayal of the Civil War. Johnny, fourteen, convinces his mother to let him join a wagon train carrying food to Confederate soldiers. He has been brought up to believe that all blacks are stupid; thus, when captured by a black Union soldier who insists that Johnny teach him to read, he deliberately tricks him. The boy is surprised the soldier saves him from imprisonment and their relationship grows throughout the book.

Willy Freeman''s life changes forever when she witnesses her father''s death at the hands of the Redcoats and returns home to find that the British have taken her mother as a prisoner to New York City. Willy, disguised as a boy, begins her long search for her mother and luckily finds a haven at the famous Fraunces Tavern. But even with the help of Sam Fraunces and her fellow worker, Horace, Willy knows that to be black, female, and free leaves her open to danger at every turn. What will tomorrow bring?

Read about 12-year-old Petey Williamson and how he and his family cope when the Depression strikes America, throwing millions out of work. Includes an author profile.

Presents the history of the automobile, explains how an automobile works, and looks at the use of automobiles today.

Traces the development of electric lighting.

"Follows the development of the steam engine"--Provided by publisher.

"A vibrant, sweeping analysis of the roots of American self-indulgence" --Kirkus Reviews "This ringing, provocative jeremiad cuts a path through a haze of self-indulgent thought and action in the "me first" society." --Publisher''s Weekly "Wonderful...a delight to read, even exciting...There are few books that inspire real enthusiasm. This is one of them." --The Philadelphia Enquirer

Newbery-finalist James Lincoln Collier creates insightful character studies of our most well-known American figures. By blasting through the myths surrounding our heroes, we see them as they really were, with their conflicts, their fears, their shortcomings, and their ambitions. We come to know them and so to admire their achievements all the more.

Newbery-finalist James Lincoln Collier creates insightful character studies of our most well-known American figures. By blasting through the myths surrounding our heroes, we see them as they really were, with their conflicts, their fears, their shortcomings, and their ambitions. We come to know them and so to admire their achievements all the more.