New Releases by Jessica Gunderson

After first hunting pirates, Captain William Kidd turned outlaw himself in the lates 1690s and led his crew to plunder, eventually burying his ill-gotten treasure. With accessible hi-lo text and dynamic graphic novel storytelling, readers can learn more about the exploits of this infamous pirate.

In the early 1700s, Anne Bonny defied her father, left her husband, and set sail to become a fierce pirate of the Caribbean! With accessible hi-lo text and dynamic graphic novel storytelling, readers can learn more about the adventures of this real female pirate.

Blinding snow and piercing wind whip at YOU. An ordinary day has turned into a life-or-death survival. How will you stay warm? Can you find shelter? And will you be able to get help before it's too late? It's time to make some difficult choices. With some smart decision making and a little luck, perhaps you'll be able to survive being lost in a snowstorm!

Little is known about Edward Teach's life before he became known as the fearsome pirate Blackbeard. But during the Golden Age of Piracy, he ruled the seas along the coast of the North American colonies and beyond. Learn more about Blackbeard's adventures and how he became one of the most infamous--and feared--pirate captains of all time in a graphic novel filled with deception, plunder, and more.

Life isn't easy when you're cursed with a headful of snakes for hair. Medusa knows that better than anyone. But she didn't start out in such a state. What happened? Who's to blame? And who's the real hero? Find out in this modern, action-packed graphic retelling of a classic Greek myth.

An interactive Civil War adventure where the reader determines their fate during a daring escape from a Confederate prison.

Throughout his three years as a pirate, Bartholomew Roberts--aka Black Bart--ruled the Atlantic Ocean. He plundered more than 400 ships in three years, making him one of the most successful captains of piracy's golden age. Learn how Roberts went from a humble farmer to Black Bart, daring pirate of the Atlantic, in this graphic novel filled with danger, deceit, and high-seas adventure.

In September 1900, the people of Galveston, Texas, knew a storm was coming. But they'd experienced storms before and didn't think much of it. However, the hurricane that hit on September 8 was more powerful and damaging than anybody expected. Will you find a way to survive the storm and write about the experience for the local newspaper? Can you find a way to save your family's business and the customers inside when the storm hits? Will you rescue a young woman who is floating by on the detached roof of a house in the middle of the storm? With dozens of possible choices, it's up to YOU to find a way to survive through one of the deadliest storms in history.

On April 14, 1865, only days after the Civil War had come to a close, a gunshot rang out in Ford's Theatre and President Abraham Lincoln slumped forward in his seat. Hours later, the United States had lost its leader. Now readers can step back in time to learn about what led up to the assassination plot, how the fateful evening unfolded, and the ways in which one tragic day changed America forever.

The site of not only the signing of the Declaration of Independence but also the signing of the U.S. Constitution, Independence Hall could not be more appropriately named. Engaging facts and photos give young report writers a comprehensive tour of this American symbol, from early building blueprints to its relevance in today's world

In 1777, the American Revolution is well underway. At 16, Sybil Ludington knows the war all too well. Her father is a colonel in the Continental Army, battling for America's independence from Great Britain. Colonel Ludington and his regiment are home for the season when word comes that the British Army is attacking nearby. With her father too ill to ride, it's up to young Sybil to alert the American militia that the British are coming.

"Ida Lewis spent a lifetime on the water, starting when her family moved the island of Lime Rock in 1857 for her father's job as lighthouse keeper. By age 15, Ida was the best swimmer in Newport, Rhode Island. And when her father suffers a stroke, Ida herself takes over as keeper of the lighthouse. But guarding the shore also means guarding the water. And when Ida spots four local boys in danger on the water, she knows she must take action, the boys' lives depend on it"--

Princesses spells and witches in the woods - now in graphic novels. New readers can feel confident reading graphic novels with Discover Graphics a series just for them. With reading levels no higher than first grade even brand-new readers are supported by familiar stories and visual storytelling. Older more confident readers will appreciate the beautiful art and diverse characters in these retellings.

So much more than a structure honoring the life and work of one man, U.S. president Abraham Lincoln, the Lincoln Memorial has become an enduring American symbol of strength and unity. Young report writers will learn why and how the memorial was built, and what its many parts mean, thanks to accessible, factual text and vibrant photos.

Benedict Arnold may be the most prominent villain in United States history. But was he the truly evil man that American folklore has made him out to be? In the beginning of the American Revolution, he was a staunch patriot and military hero, but by the end of the war his frustration led him to betray his nation. The bad reputation that resulted has lived on in infamy.

Includes a note by the author, with a glossary and discussion questions.

"Benjamin Franklin led a productive life, but is it possible his accomplishments include everything attributed to him? The answer is yes, for the most part. He never did suggest the wild turkey should be the national symbol of the United States. He did, however, lend his wisdom to the founding of the country, and he was the only person to sign four of the documents most critical to the creation and character of the nation."--Provided by publisher.

Abraham Lincoln watched a play. James Garfield walked through a train station. William McKinley shook hands with his public. John Kennedy smiled and waved from a motorcade. In these moments shots rang out and four presidents suffered mortal wounds. Some say their assassins were calculating killers. Others say they were madmen guided by strange notions of the world. Assassins’ America examines the lives of each killer and his victim. Their stories are full of twists and mysteries, and even today Americans live with lasting effects of these terrible crimes.

A humorous retelling of the fairy tale, told from the point of view of the fisherman's wife, who dreams of having plenty of food (she did not have enough to eat as a child), and is very puzzled about how her poor fisherman husband suddenly seems able to provide her with everything she ever dreamed of.

It should have been a grand day at the Pan-American Exhibition in Buffalo, New York, in 1901. President William McKinley shook hands with well-wishers who had lined up to meet their popular leader. But one man stepped forward with a pistol hidden under a handkerchief wrapped around his right hand. Two shots rang out, both striking McKinley in the abdomen. As the nation puzzled over the shooter and the ease of his crime, the president suffered for days before finally dying. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as president, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the job. The country -- and the world -- would never be the same.

Abraham Lincoln was watching a play at Ford's Theatre when a gunman crept up from behind an fired at the president's head. As Lincoln crumpled with a terrible wound, the shooter leapt from the balcony and fled before a shocked audience. He was John Wilkes Booth, a well-known stage actor, and he imagined himself a hero avenging the South's defeat in the Civil War. Soldiers searched for Booth as Lincoln suffered long hours before dying. There would be no reversing the results of the war, but Lincoln's death put the cause of freedom and equality in danger. His presidency had been cut short, and even today the country lives with the effects of his assassination.

When a princess learns of her husband's secret past, he turns into a snake. The princess must be brave in order to help him. Can they work together to break the prince's curse? A young man is given a special shape-changing power. He and his brother use the new power to trick and take from others. Will they get caught and pay the price for their trickery?

"This book explores the people, places, and history of the North Carolina Colony"--

A retelling of the classic fairy tale from the point of view of Rumpelstiltskin, who spins straw into gold (for cash payments), but really dreams of having a son to raise.

"Tells the story of the election of 1860 and the immediate and lasting effects it had on a nation on the brink of Civil War"--

The year is 1910, and Emma Schweitzer and her family are immigrating to America in hopes of finding a better life. Their German colony in South Russia is falling under new restrictions imposed by the Russian government, and in order to escape poverty and tyranny, the family decides to move to North Dakota to live with an uncle. But their journey is not an easy one. The ship is overcrowded, health inspectors can detain any family or deny them entry, and swindlers are eager to prey on new immigrants. Can Emma be strong enough to succeed in a new country where she can't even understand the language? Through Emma's story, this gripping historical novel e-book captures the hardships immigrants faced in pursuit of the American dream.

This historical e-book tells the story of two boys living in the South during the tragic days of the Civil War. James is a proud Southerner who feels responsible for providing for his newly widowed mother and his younger sister. Eli is the lone outdoor slave of a bitter man who sold off Eli's mother two years earlier. When circumstances force them to work side by side, each boy's eyes are opened to new ways of thinking, leading to an exciting conclusion. Filled with thoughtful prose and historical references, The Songs of Stone River brings the Civil War era to life.

Young Maggie Tinsdale fights for the patriot cause in this novel set in the Revolutionary War era.

A stone shrine shrouded in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is a symbol of democracy and freedom. Infographics, fact boxes, sidebars, and primary historic photos tell the story of this famous monument and the men who built it.