Most Popular Books by Pat McKissack

Simple text and illustrations of a variety of insects introduce the numbers one through five.

"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.

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.

A little African monkey runs away from all the dangerous animals except one.

The year is 1859, and it''s Christmastime on a Virginia Plantation. The slaves are cleaning and setting up the Big House--where their masters live--for the festivities. The Big House is filled with warmth, colorful decorations, and yummy food...but there is talk of war and a sense that times may be changing. In the quarters--where the slaves live--conditions are poor, dirty, and cold, but the slaves are filled with hope for better times ahead, and they sing songs of freedom.Moving deftly between two worlds, this beautifully illustrated book is a historical tale as well as a holiday treat.

Even though Bobby and Johnny are twins, they often like opposite things. Includes a word list.

During an outing on the mysterious Bayou Clapateaux, Hugh Thomas catches a million fish.

When Messy Bessey starts to clean up her desk at school, she inspires the rest of the class to clean up the entire room.

An easy-to-read retelling of the well-known fable about two mice and the discovery they make.

Traces the rise of the Incan civilization with emphasis on their culture, social structure, government, economy, and the fatal encounter with the Spanish conquistadors which brought about the end of their society.

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

From the beginning of Reconstruction to the present, traces the struggle of blacks to gain their civil rights in America, with a brief comparison of their problems to those of other minorities.

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.

Born a slave in the State of New York, Sojourner Truth escaped to freedom in 1826 and then traveled throughout the Northeast, preaching in a tireless fight against slavery and the oppression of women. Give your readers a powerful story to remember.

Discusses, in simple text and illustrations, the meaning of life and death and God''s promise of eternal life.

Describes the history, language, social classes, customs, culture, religion, and warfare of the ancient Central American civilization of the Mayas.

In 1886 in Alabama, an eleven-year-old African American girl and her family befriend and give refuge to a runaway Apache boy.

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

Bessey and her mother bake cookies for Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah, and after cleaning up the kitchen, they distribute the treats to their neighbors.

Examines the civilizations of the Western Sudan which flourished from 700 to 1700 A.D., acquiring such vast wealth that they became centers of trade and culture for a continent.

Traces the history of baseball in the Negro Leagues and its great heroes, including Monte Irwin, Buck Leonard, and Cool Papa Bell.

From the author of the Newbery Honor-winning "The Dark-Thirty" comes a deliciously funny, not-too-scary picture book featuring a spunky heroine and the Boo Hag, a crafty spirit that will stop at nothing to get inside the house. Full color.

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

A fun and engaging way for young children to figure out concepts and solving problems on his or her own. Rookie Readers (Ages 5-7) have provided entertaining, high-quality introductions to reading for more than a generation. Each title features full-color, often hilarious illustrations and engaging stories that always involve a young child figuring out concepts or solving problems on his or her own. Messy Bessey shows herself to be a true friend and a good guest when she helps to clean up after a messy birthday sleepover.

More than the inventor of peanut butter, George Washington Carver helped revive the economy of the South after the Civil War with his 300 uses for peanuts and 100 uses for sweet potatoes.

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

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.