New Releases by Pat McKissack

With an extraordinary gift for suspense, McKissack brings us ten original, spine-tingling tales inspired by African American history and the mystery of that eerie half hour before nightfall—the dark-thirty.

Here's a songbook, a storybook, a poetry collection, and much more, all rolled into one. Find a partner for hand claps such as Eenie, Meenie, Sassafreeny, or form a circle for games like Little Sally Walker. Gather as a family to sing well-loved songs like Amazing Grace and Oh, Freedom, or to read aloud the poetry of such African American luminaries as Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. And snuggle down to enjoy classic stories retold by the author, including Aesop's fables and tales featuring Br'er Rabbit and Anansi the spider.

"A simple biography for early readers about Louis Armstrong's life"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography for early readers about Marian Anderson's life"--Provided by publisher.

With only five more days of school remaining before summer vacation, nine-year-old Miami still faces several hurdles, such as how to get along with Destinee Tate, his nemesis.

Award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack's next story about one black family's history'perfect for Black History Month! Brothers Tank and Jimbo Turner love sneaking into Nashville's Sulphur Dell Ballpark to watch the superstars of Negro League baseball. When Josh Gibson, the famous home-run hitter for the Homestead Grays, bunks at their house, the boys think they're one step away from heaven. With warmth and humor, the fourth installment of Patricia C. McKissack's family saga brings to life an era of all-black baseball for readers who may not know that Major League teams were once restricted only to white players.

In 1954, when desegregation comes to Kirkland, Missouri, ten-year-old Rosemary faces many changes and challenges at school and at home as her parents separate.

Because she is the oldest, Carolyn assumes she is loved the best. But she has doubts when her mom spoils Carolyn's little sister when she's sick and posts her brother's perfect math quiz on the fridge. Illustrations.

This book describes the historical account of the "Amistad" and the freeing of Africans who had been kidnapped in the 1830s.

When his colleague Long Arrow disappears, Dr. Dolittle sets off with his assistant, Tommy Stubbins, his dog, Jip, and Polynesia the parrot on an adventurous voyage over tropical seas to floating Spider Monkey Island.

Erased by Time In 1619 twenty Africans stepped foot on American soil. They came not as slaves, but as indentured servants. They knew if they could hold on and finish out their sentences, they would be free. They came with dreams of the future and a vision of life as good as any other person's, black or white. Who were these people? How did they get here? What happened to them? Much of the information about them -- even their names -- has been lost. Stories about them are incomplete, and facts are blurred by centuries of neglect. But their stories are worth knowing and keeping and sharing, for they are a part of the American saga. This is their story.

During the Depression in the Louisiana bayou, a curious young girl helps the "Swamp Ghost" that her cousins warned her about and finds herself with one good friend.

Brought up in France as the African slave companion of a nobleman's daughter, thirteen-year-old Zettie records the events of 1763, when she and her mistress escape to the New World where they are inadvertently drawn into the hostilities of the ongoing French and Indian War and, eventually, find a new direction to their lives.

Tippy Lemmey, the neighborhood dog, is a nuisance and sworn enemy to the local children, but when Tippy gets in trouble, only Leanne, Paul, and Jeannie can help him.

Uses slave narratives, letters, diaries, military orders, and other documents to chronicle the various stages leading to the emancipation of slaves in the United States.

In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town: the public library.

Biography of the African-American statesman and diplomat who was one of the founders of the United Nations and who received the Nobel Prize for his peacemaking efforts.

Messy Bessey discovers that with proper care her garden will flourish.

Using simple text and photographs, this volume briefly examines the life and work of American poet Langston Hughes.

In 1859 twelve-year-old Clotee, a house slave who must conceal the fact that she can read and write, records in her diary her experiences and her struggle to decide whether to escape to freedom.

Profiles the life of Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C. J. Walker, the black laundress who founded a cosmetics company and became the first female self-made millionare in the United States.

Messy Bessey shows herself to be a true friend and a good guest when she helps to clean up after a messy birthday sleepover.

Presents the life of civil rights worker, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, devoted to working for racial equality for African Americans.

Highlights the life of this great man, who went from being a slave to a teacher and an American icon.

Simple text and illustrations describe the life and accomplishments of the revered civil rights pioneer.

"Tell the truth and shame the devil," Libby's mama has told her. So whatever is Libby doing wrong? Ever since she started telling only the truth, the whole world seems to be mad at her. First it's her best friend, Ruthie Mae, who gets upset when Libby tells all their friends that Ruthie Mae has a hole in her sock. Then Willie gives her an ugly look when she tells the teacher he hasn't done his homework. It seems that telling the truth isn't always so simple. Children will sympathize with Libby as she struggles to figure out that even though it's always wrong to tell a lie, there's a right and a wrong way to tell the truth. Giselle Potter's naively stubborn illustrations perfectly capture this humorous and poignant story by award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack.

Bessey finally cleans up her messy room.

During colonial times, the whaling industry developed along the eastern coast. Nantucket and New Bedford, Massachusetts, were the centers where ships were built and outfitted, and where they returned laden with their precious cargo. These whaling ships supplied 80% of the oil used by Americans for well over a century.Because whaling was so dangerous, captains and crews of the whaling boats set themselves apart from ordinary seamen. Despite the challenges of the sea, runaway slaves we eager to enlist; they were used to hard work and willing to accept lower pay than other sailors. Free black seamen signed on because of the career opportunities; one day they might be a first mate, a captain, or even an owner. Additionally, there was less prejudice onboard a whale ship than on land because everyone had to cooperate for the common good of all. As one black seaman wrote, "The sea was an equalizer of men, therefore the captain chose his crew based on who could do the job best."This book details the lives of such well-known figures as Paul Cuffee, ship owner and captain; Crispus Attucks, a whaleman killed in the Boston Massacre; Fredrick Douglass, a leading abolitionist who was once a caulker of ships in New Bedford harbor; Joe Hershey, a well-known ships' blacksmith; and Lewis Temple, who invented the toggle harpoon. Information on lesser known individuals is also included. Readers will follow a complete voyage of a whale ship, from signing on at the docks, to the hunt, and the return home.