My Books

LUCY'S CAVE: A STORY OF VICKSBURG, 1863
Based on a real young girl’s experiences and remembrances of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1863, Lucy and her family are forced to leave their home and live in one of the caves dug out of the hills around the city. (Grades 1-3)


978-1590781944/HC, Published by Boyds Mills Press, November 2008

Lucy's Cave was chosen as one of "The Best Books of the Year" by the Children's Book Committee of Bank Street College of Education.

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CASSIE'S SWEET BERRY PIE: A CIVIL WAR STORY
While at home, keeping an eye on her younger brother and sister, Cassie bakes a real treat - huckleberry pie! When a neighbor passes the word that the Union soldiers are on a raid,Cassie realizes that since her parents are away she needs to be the brave one. When she gets the idea of how she might keep the Union soldiers from invading their home, Cassie proves that huckleberries can be used for more than making pies. (Grades 1-3)

1563979845/HC, Published by Boyds Mills Press, 2005

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MR. LINCOLN'S WHISKERS
Abraham Lincoln was the first President of the United States to wear a beard. What gave him the idea was a letter he received from an eleven-year-old girl from Westfield, New York named Grace Bedell. "Dear Sir," she wrote, " . . . if you will let your whiskers grow I will try to get (my brothers) to vote for you. You would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you . . ."(Grades K-4)

1563974851/HC, Published by Boyds Mills Press, 1996
Listen to Karen read from Mr.Lincoln's Whiskers

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SYBIL'S NIGHT RIDE
On the stormy night of April 26, 1777, young Sybil Ludington rode on her horse spreading the word that the British were coming. They had already set fire to the nearby town of Danbury, Connecticut and the glow of the flames had turned the night sky to fiery red. Sybil rode through the countryside to alert the patriots with the cry of "Muster at Ludington's!" My story is based on the true-life heroine who risked darkness and danger for the Revolutionary War effort. (Grades K-3)

1563976978/HC, Published by Caroline House, Boyds Mills Press, 2000
9781590787717/PB, Published by Calkins Creek, Boyds Mills Press, 2009

Sybil was chosen as one of the Best Children's Books of the Year from Bank Street College and was one of the Los Angeles 100 Best Books, 2000

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NIGHT OF THE FIREFLIES
Illustrated by Yoriko Ito
It's Miko's first time to experience the joy of chasing fireflies. She has never seen one but she imagines their magical glow. With her older brother, Toshio, she walks to the park to watch the principal of their school open a box to release fireflies into the night. For Miko they are a wonderment. But her fascination with the small blinking lights sets in motion a dilemma and Miko must decide what to do. (Grades 1-3)

1563977257/HC, Published by Boyds Mills Press, 2004

The Night of the Fireflies was chosen as a nominee for the 2009-2010 Georgia Children's Book Award Winners.

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BARN SNEEZE
One night the wind blows through the barn and causes Cow to sneeze, which sets off a chain reaction. Each barn animal sneezes in turn, until a cacophony of sneezing fills the night, waking Sue in the farmhouse. BARN SNEEZE is meant to read-aloud. Make all the animal sounds and have a good time! (Grades P-2)

1563979489/HC, Published by Caroline House, Boyds Mills Press, 2002
Listen to Karen read from Barn Sneeze


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A YEAR GOES ROUND: Poems for the Months
The countless joys of the seasons are celebrated as these twenty-four short, simple poems move through the year. Childhood activities and reflection take place in various familiar settings -- city, county, beach and the poems touch upon common experiences and pleasures. (Grades K-2)

1563978989/HC, Published by Wordsong, Boyds Mills Press, 2001

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Check with your local library or favorite out-of-print bookseller for these titles:

SANDRO'S DOLPHIN
This early chapter book for ages six to nine tells the story of a dolphin that comes to the aid of a fishing village and saves a young boy's life.

PATCH AND THE STRINGS
In this picture book, a puppet, ever curious where his strings go, comes to realize there is something more important than knowing the answer.