New Releases by Jennifer Armstrong

Good Hair

This compelling collection of stories explores the powerful impact that music has in our lives—especially in the lives of teens. Each story strikes a new note: Ron Koertge introduces us to the boys in the band—the marching band; Joseph Bruchac contributes a Native American boy with no rhythm whatsoever; Jennifer Armstrong writes about what was perhaps the first battle of the bands—during the American Civl War; and David Levithan offers up a love song that speaks powerfully to an unintended audience. But while each story is different, they combine into a harmonic song of praise—for the depths music can reach in us, and the power it has to bind us together.

Everyday signs serve as captions for this pictorial tale of what happens after a man tosses a banana peel into the garbage can and misses.

American history comes alive in these 100 true stories that define our country. This magnificent treasury tells the story of America through 100 true tales. Some are tales of triumph—the midnight ride of Paul Revere, the Wright brothers taking to the air, Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon. Some are tales of tragedy—the fate of the Donner Party, the great fire in Chicago, the eruption of Mount Saint Helens. There are stories of inventors and athletes and abolitionists and artists. Stories about struggling for freedom—again and again, in so many ways. With full-color illustrations on nearly every page and short, exciting stories, this book is perfect for browsing by the entire family. Notes at the end of each story direct readers to related stories. And a guide to thematic story arcs offers readers (and teachers) an easy way to follow their particular interests throughout the book. A treasure trove of a book that belongs in every home! “This lively and engaging collection of stories recounting American history is a wonderful gift not only to the children of this country but also their parents. I can’t wait to share it with my grandchildren.” —Tom Brokaw

Wanting to become a poet just like her grandmother, a young girl asks her for advice.

As bullets ring and bombs are dropped, children watch—mostly from the sidelines, but occasionally in the direct line of fire. Unaware of the political issues or power struggles behind the battle, all they know are the human, emotional consequences of this thing called war. This collection examines all of war’s implications for young people—from those caught in the line of fire to the children of the veterans of wars long past. Critically acclaimed author Jennifer Armstrong brings together 12 powerful voices in young people''s literature to explore the realities of war from a child''s perspective. The settings vary widely—the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, an attempted coup in Venezuela, the American Civil War, crisis in the Middle East—but the effects are largely the same. In war, no life is ever left untouched. In war, lives are shattered.

They have found others. Five years after a deadly plague killed all the Grown-ups, the world''s population has nearly vanished. But a group of children have survived and forged a new family, a new life, and together traveled up the coast of Florida, looking for answers. To their shock, they''ve found a group of adults, the only Grown-ups they''ve seen for years, living in an abandoned shopping mall. It''s a world the travelers had almost forgotten -- cupcakes, clean clothes, adults to depend on. But something is terribly wrong. The family must find the truth before it''s too late.

Four score and seven years ago... So begins one of the most important speeches in the history of the United States -- Abraham Lincoln''s Gettysburg Address. Given on a cold November day, it wasn''t much of a speech, really -- just a few remarks. Not meant to be remembered. But these few remarks have been remembered. Why? What was the true meaning behind them? Where did they come from? Why is it so important that we never forget what President Lincoln said on that cold November day?

Jennifer Armstrong’s two masterful novels about Mary Mehan are now together in one volume. Set against the pivotal events of the American Civil War, The Dreams of Mairhe Mehan depicts an Irish immigrant girl and her family, struggling to find their place in a country at war with itself. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews said, “Armstrong mixes vision and reality with breathtaking virtuosity, salting Mairhe’s narrative with poetic turns of phrase, snatches of song, story, and history.” Mary Mehan Awake takes up Mary’s story after the war when, much like the broken country, Mary must begin a journey of emotional and physical renewal. Of this book, The Horn Book Magazine said, “The story unfolds effortlessly and richly. It’s The Secret Garden for an older audience, with friendship and nature gratifyingly providing healing and wholeness.” This new Readers’ Circle edition includes an interview with the author discussing her ideas about how history is remembered and recorded, and the obligations and opportunities of the historical novelist.

It is the year 2007. The world has been wiped out by a deadly plague that killed all the adults. Without them, children perished of hunger and disease. No more people, no more electricity, no more civilization -- just mildewed houses, overgrown yards, and abandoned cars. Yet on a highway strip outside a small town in Florida, the words "We''re Still Here" are painted in letters big enough to be seen from an airplane -- although no planes ever cross the empty sky. Miraculously, seven children have survived among the ruins. They cannot remember their names, their families, or much else from the Before Time. But they have forged a new family, with new names: Mommy, Hunter, Teacher, Action Figure, Teddy Bear, Baby, and Doll. They must face each day with enough hope to endure and the strength to realize that there may be nothing out there worth living for. Then one day, a new kid shows up on their doorstep and changes everything. He invites them to join him on a dangerous journey to Washington, to find a man called President if he''s still alive -- and seek the answers to the mystery at the heart of the Fire-us. In this first book of the Fire-us Trilogy, Jennifer Armstrong and Nancy Butcher weave a compelling post-apocalyptic tale, luring readers into a world that is inventive enough to intrigue, yet true enough to believe.

This exciting picture-book biography of 19th-century artist and explorer John James Audubon relates how he searched the wild for birds and animals and captured many of them on canvas and paper. Full color.

The extraordinary true story behind Ernest Shackleton''s harrowing expedition to Antarctica on the Endurance—the ill-fated ship that became trapped in ice and sank to the ocean floor. Defying the odds, the crew made it back alive, bringing with them the astounding collection of photographs included in this critically acclaimed, timeless book. In August 1914, Ernest Shackleton and his crew sailed from England on the Endurance in an attempt to become the first team of explorers to cross Antarctica from one side to the other. Five months later and still 100 miles from land, their ship, Endurance, became trapped in ice. Defying the odds, the expedition survived another five months camping on ice floes, followed by a perilous journey through stormy seas to remote and unvisited Elephant Island. In a dramatic climax to this amazing survival story, Shackleton and five others navigated 800 miles of treacherous open ocean in a 20-foot boat to fetch a rescue ship. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World vividly re-creates one of the most fascinating adventure stories in history. Award-winning author Jennifer Armstrong recounts one of the most extraordinary adventure stories in history with vigor, an eye for detail, and an appreciation of the marvelous leadership of Shackleton, who brought home every single one of his men alive.

In August 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton set out from England in an attempt to lead the first expedition across the Antarctic continent. What followed was one of the most extraordinary survival stories in history: a ship trapped and then wrecked by ice; an expedition marooned, first on the constantly shifting Antarctic pack, then on a remote, uninhabited island; a daring open boat journey across the world''s most violent ocean; a trek over unmapped mountains; and finally an amazing rescue. Jennifer Armstrong''s Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World received widespread praise and won the Orbis Pictus Award. Now she tells the Endurance story for a younger audience, in an oversize format with color paintings re-creating the detail and drama of the expedition''s ordeal.

An educated, inquisitive young girl in Philadelphia corresponds with President Thomas Jefferson about current events, including the Lewis and Clark expedition, new inventions, and life at Monticello.

Thirteen-year-old Frank Kovacs, a Polish immigrant working in the coal mines of eastern Pennsylvania, begins a correspondence with Theodore Roosevelt after he assumes the presidency on September 14, 1901. Part of the "Dear Mr. President" series. Photos & maps.

An adaptation of the bestselling adult version of The Century, offering young Americans a unique look at the past 100 years, via not only archival material but through the eyes of the people who lived through it.

Thinking he is dreaming, Pierre, a lazy, foolish man, shows no fear as he performs many amazing and dangerous circus acts.

A stranger arrives at a remote village and becomes the tailor, sewing magical embroidered scenes into the pockets of their plain clothes, which transforms their humdrum lives forever.

While working as a servant in the home of a naturalist, Mary Mehan gradually recovers from the numbing effects of her experience as a Civil War nurse and falls in love with a man who had lost his hearing.

A lyrical novel about a day in the life of a young pioneer girl growing up on the Dakota prairie is now available in a Knopf Paperback edition. This widely praised and beautifully crafted tale deftly evokes the vast expanse of the American West, the hardships faced by pioneer families, and the strong bonds of family and community.

Illustrations and rhyming text follow the sun and moon as they shine on a young boy''s day.

Meet Gretel Muller, a young German girl growing up in Galveston, Texas in 1855. Gretel dreams of living in a fairy-tale castle by the sea, but instead spends her days working with her short-tempered sisters in their mother''s hat shop. When a rich resident announces that she wants a young German girl to come stay with her, Gretel sees her opportunity. But how will she ever get a chance when everyone thinks she''s a lazy and foolish girl?

A spirited young girl does not want to leave her home in Norway to go to live in Minnesota, but aboard ship on the way to America, she proves why she is called "Lili the Brave".

Nine-year-old Patrick promises his buddies that his baseball hero will come to their playground in Hell''s Kitchen, bat for him, and chase the Copperheads out.