Middle Grades

Paint the Wind starts out in California, but quickly moves to Wyoming. In an interview, Pam Ryan said that she took hundreds of private horseback riding lessons and went on 2 extended research rides on horseback in Wyoming in preparation for writing this book.  11-year old Maya has lived with … Read More

The Hero Two Doors Down is a “fictionalized” true story written by Sharon Robinson, daughter of the legendary Jackie Robinson, based on her family’s friendship with their Jewish neighbors. Instead of writing a strictly non-fiction book for children, she “fictionalizes” it by adding conversations and thoughts she was not privy to. This allows … Read More

Mildred Taylor’s award winning book, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, was written in 1976 and has been reissued many times since then. This book was the 1st full length novel in the Logan Family Saga following the novella Song of the Trees. There have been a total of 9 … Read More

It took a bit of looking to find children’s historical fiction on audio that was set in Nevada! Ivy’s summer adventures give readers a close-up look at some of the unique animals and terrain of Nevada and is a perfect summer read for elementary-aged children. Ivy and her best friend … Read More

Although Ghetto Cowboy is set in the present, there’s a lot of history here. This fast-paced story is set among today’s urban horsemen of North Philadelphia’s Fletcher Street Riding Club, whose history and traditions date back to the black cowboys of the 1800s. Ghetto Cowboy is being made into a … Read More

Out of Left Field is a work of love dedicated to the unsung heroes and history of women’s baseball. If you’re a baseball fan, this book is definitely for you. But here’s the thing: if you, like me, have no interest in baseball or women’s baseball, or for that matter, … Read More

Tennessee is a state awash in folk tales, legends and tall tales including the well-known stories of Davy Crockett, Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind and Casey Jones. A Snicker of Magic is a charming tale filled with magical realism that fits right in with the spirit of Tennessee storytelling. Although … Read More

I’ve come across many southern pre-Civil War stories about wealthy plantation owners and slaves. I’ve also read a few stories set in the post-Civil War era and that feature sharecroppers, both black and white. This is the first book I’ve read about white sharecroppers living in the pre-Civil War era … Read More