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 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? Great historical fiction for ages 10 and up from the Newbery Honor winning writing team of Christopher and Joseph Collier.

Fourteen-year-old Johnny promised his father, who was gravely wounded while fighting for the South, that he would take care of the family and not run off to fight. But when there's a request to take his mules and wagon on a bold mission to supply the Rebel troops, Johnny can't resist the chance for revenge as well as a good payday. Times are tough without his father on the farm, and food is scarce for everyone. But his plan goes awry when he's captured by Cush, a runaway slave. Johnny doesn't like taking orders from a black man, but he has no choice: He's heading for prison camp wondering what will become of his family and himself. Along the way, he learns some surprising views about the war, forms an unlikely bond with Cush, and finds his long-held feelings about the issues surrounding the Civil War brought into question. This critically acclaimed novel is geared for children Grades 5 and up.

Sneaking into the majestic house on Park Row last night and unlocking the door for the well-dressed stranger had been exciting. Still, Roger knows that what he did for Circus was wrong, especially when he learns from the newspaper that one of the inhabitants was killed. But the fifty dollars he earned is a fortune! His mother never seems to have any change left over for dinner after she buys her daily supply of liquor. And his father is in the hospital, recovering from a gunshot wound. With fifty dollars Roger can buy those yellow trousers he's been admiring and a decent dress for Lulu, his younger sister. Now Circus is asking him to pull another job. In spite of the temptation of easy money, Roger vows he won't listen to that fast-talking redhead. Too many unanswered questions buzz through Roger's mind. Who shot his father? Why does Circus take such an interest in his father's health? Why does his father ask questions about a redheaded man? And what is Circus' connection to...

Everyone in Timber Falls knows that his family is trash, and sometimes Harry White thinks he'll always be trash. But he can't help getting angry—what had he and his sister, Helen, ever done to anybody? When he discovers the local carpet factory is polluting the river, he comes up with a bold expose to make people sit up and show him respect—if his plan works. He wants to do it alone even though he knows he's asking for trouble. As trash, Harry's got nothing to lose. Or does he? Gripping, disturbing, and exhilarating, When the Stars Begin to Fall reveals the hidden forces that conspire against well–meaning innocents. Harry's desire to change himself and society is so powerful, his voice so direct and real, that listeners won't forget his struggle for dignity. In this striking departure from the historical novels he is so well known for, James Lincoln Collier has written a powerful—even shocking—novel that challenges and defies the rhetoric of...

Twelve–year–old George Stable wants to be a rock star someday, but he gets horrible stage fright—unless he has his old teddy bear with him. Hiding the teddy in his guitar seems like a brilliant idea. Then George discovers that someone has hidden stolen jewels in the stuffing of his beloved bear. George's embarrassing "teddy bear habit" becomes the center of a life–and–death chase through Manhattan. Can George survive long enough to make his first TV appearance?

At thirteen, George Stable still hasn't made his mark on the world. Oh, he plays the guitar and sings a little. And he appeared on television for six whole seconds once. A couple of years ago, he even wrote a sort of book, called The Teddy Bear Habit. But nothing really exciting has happened to him. But now, it looks as if his big chance has finally come. This agent of his, Woody Woodward, who discovered him during his six-second TV career, has come up with a plan to make him a hot new guitar-playing teenage star—"George Stable, The Boy Next Door." Never mind that George has spent his entire life in Greenwich Village, which is not exactly where you'd find your typical "Boy Next Door." As Woody says, it's the image that counts. Of course, there are a few problems to be ironed out. His pop isn't too hot on the idea, and is packing George off to stay with his uncle and creepy cousin Sinclair in upstate New York, while he spends a month in Paris. And Woody's bosses at the...

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, the school heads refused to get a doctor for David. In the midst of apparent security and traditional British calm, a truly macabre and dangerous situation was building up. Will David get the help he needs before it's too late, and what else is going on at this...

Winner of the Newbery Honor! The Revolutionary War comes alive in this contemporary classic for young adults. The War had no clear-cut loyalties—it divided families, friends and towns. Young Tim Meeker's 16-year-old brother goes off to fight with the Patriots while his father remains a reluctant British Loyalist in the Tory town of Redding, CT. Tim's always looked up to his brother, who's smart and brave. With the war soon raging, Tim knows he'll have to make a choice — between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father. Over the course of the war Tim learns that life teaches some bitter lessons and does not guarantee clear answers. My Brother Sam Is Dead is a stirring, probing tale full of action and suspense, putting listeners right into the heart of the Revolutionary War.

Fourteen-year-old Chris Winchester is torn between two worlds. By birth, he's part of the indomitable Winchester clan, owners of the enormous electronics factory that employs nearly everyone in town. Yet Chris' father gave up his stake in the business to work for the Peace Corp. When he died, Chris, his mother, and twin sisters moved into a tiny gatehouse on the Winchester estate—poor relations living on family goodwill. While his cousin Ernest is groomed to take over the family fortune, Chris attends public school and makes friends with the kids in town. He can't understand why a crisis at his uncle's factory makes people suddenly hate him, but a wage cut and a threatened strike have everyone's nerves on edge. In the eyes of the townspeople, Chris is guilty by association, for he bears the Winchester name. When things turn ugly, Chris discovers that his family can get very tough. Power is like a muscle, his uncle explains, that must be flexed to keep it strong. Chris...

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...

Paulie Horvath is never going to be a good student like his brother, John, never going to follow his hardworking father into the plumbing trade, never going to ease his mother's mind by passing tests or cleaning up his room. But once he hears jazz by accident from the basement of a speakeasy, he knows exactly what he will do: learn that music and make it his life. Jazz is all around in 1920s gangland Chicago, but not so easy for a twelve-year-old to find, especially when his father disapproves of it. Paulie has to lie, beg, and steal just to get time for lessons, time to practice, time to slip across town to see stars like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. Lies last only so long until they are found out, and a confrontation is coming. Will he choose home and family or sleazy dives with that wonderful music?

A voice is talking to Gene Richards. It's a low, calm, spooky voice that tells Gene to hurt his own Grandpa. The voice says his grandfather did something that can never be forgiven. Soon it becomes clear to Gene: Something happened a long time ago in the town of Magnolia. And until Gene can get to the bottom of it, this voice, this specter, isn't giving up. With his two friends Sonny and Sam, Gene begins investigating. He's determined to find out Magnolia's darkest secret and discover the truth about his grandfather. Set during the Depression, this page-turner with an unexpected final twist brings readers back to a time when small-town secrets could most certainly come back to haunt you. JAMES LINCOLN COLLIER is the author of more than fifty books for adults and children. He was awarded the Newbury Honor for My Brother Sam Is Dead and has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award. He is also well known for his writing for adults on jazz. He lives in New York City....

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?