Best Selling Books by Alison Hart

"So compelling it gave me goosebumps from the very first pages." —ISABEL ALLENDE A family saga: four generations of mixed–race African American, Native American, and Irish women experience intergenerational trauma as well as the healing brought by nature and music, leading to triumphant resilience. Mostly White begins in 1890 when Emma, a mixed–race Native American and African American girl, is beaten by nuns and confined in a closet for speaking her language at an Indian Residential school in Maine. From there, a tale that spans four generations of women unfolds. Emma''s descendants suffer the effects of trauma, poverty, and abuse while fighting to form their own identities and honor the call of their ancestors. ALISON HART studied theater at New York University and later found her voice as a writer. She identifies herself as a mixed–race African American, Passamaquoddy Native American, Irish, Scottish, and English woman of color. Her poetry collection Temp Words was published by Cosmo Press in 2015, and her poems appear in Red Indian Road West: Native American Poetry from California (Scarlet Tanager Books, 2016) and elsewhere. Hart lives in Alameda, California.

Here is the much-begged-for sequel to Shadow Horse. With a feisty female protagonist, a little romance, a lot of mystery, and a barnful of animals just waiting to be loved, this young adult horse mystery novel will have young girls galloping to the bookstore to grab their copy. When thirteen-year-old Jas Schuler found her beloved mare Whirlwind dead in her padlock, she thought her heart would break. But now Jas knows the truth: Whirlwind is alive! Wealthy horse breeder Hugh Robicheaux faked the mare''s death, collected insurance money, then sold her to an unsuspecting buyer. And he''s going to get away with his crime, too—unless someone can find Whirlwind. And that''s exactly what Jas plans to do. But hunting for Whirlwind is dangerous. Hugh has threatened to destroy everything Jas holds dear unless she stops her search. As she struggles with her desire to find Whirlwind without endangering the people she loves, Jas must ask herself: Should she risk so much for a horse she may never find? This heartfelt YA novel by a highly regarded equestrian author will have young readers chomping at the bit for more.

In 1852, Emma and her mama board the Sally May for a steamboat journey filled with danger and adventure. When concern over her beloved pony, Licorice Twist, lures ten-year-old Emma below the main deck—a place that she has been forbidden to go—she is shocked by what she encounters. Here is a world completely different than the pampered one above with its comfortable stateroom and fine food. Here livestock and poor immigrants huddle together—underfed, unclean, and exhausted. Soon Emma is making regular trips below, ferrying food to Patrick, an eleven-year-old stowaway who recently emigrated from Ireland. Slowly, Emma and Patrick develop a friendship that spans classes and ship levels. When the boiler explodes and the steamboat begins to sink, Emma must fight her way through the black smoke to find her friends and family. But is it too late?

When a fierce blizzard suddenly kicks up on a mild winter day, a young Nebraska girl must find the courage and strength to lead others to safety in this novel inspired by the true story of the 1888 School Children''s Blizzard. Twelve-year-old Anna loves life on the Nebraska prairie where she lives with her parents and four-year-old brother in a simple sod house. She doesn''t mind helping out with chores, especially when she is herding sheep with her beloved pony, Top Hat. On the open prairie, Anna feels at home. But at school she feels hopelessly out of place. Arithmetic is too hard, her penmanship is abysmal, and stuck-up Eloise Baxter always laughs at her mistakes. When a unexpected blizzard traps Anna, her schoolmates, and their young teacher in the one-room schoolhouse, Anna knows they must escape before it is too late. Does she have the courage and strength to lead her class through the whiteout to safety? Alison Hart offers young readers a dramatic story of rescue and survival featuring a plucky, determined protagonist. An author''s note provides more information about prairie life in the late nineteenth century and about the School Children''s Blizzard.

Twelve-year-old Gabriel is too young to join the fifth U.S. Colored Calvary of the Union Army, his father''s regiment, as a soldier in the Civil War. He finds a job as personal groom to Champion, the unruly horse that belongs to Colonel Waite, the white commander. The Calvary receives orders to join white regiments in an attack on the Virginia salt works, so Gabriel gets ahold of a horse and a uniform and joins the troops. When his father and Colonel Waite are not among the weary and wounded who return from battle, Gabriel mounts Champion and rides to the battlefield in search of them. In the final book of the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart continues to explore the complex relationships of the Civil War. The result is a gripping story that vividly brings to life the danger and drama of a time when war and issues of race and freedom divided the country. Background historical material, photos, and suggestions for further reading are included.

ABBY IS FREE FROM SLAVERY BUT NOT FROM THE SECRETS OF HER PAST... It''s 1865 in the conquered South and things are not as they were before the war. Thirteen-year-old Abby Joyner still lives on the plantation where she was raised but she and her grandparents are free now and continue on for a small salary. One thing is the same as it has always been, though -- Abby does not know what became of her mother. Why won''t anyone tell her? Abby is determined to find the truth behind her disappearance. But answers are few and she is about to discover that, like freedom, the truth is harder to come by than she could have imagined.

Vermont, 1850s Bell’s Star is a brown Morgan colt with a white star and two white stockings. He was bred for hard work, yet he longs to run free with his human friend, Katie, on his back. But when Star helps rescue a runaway slave girl, his ideas about freedom may change forever. Here is Star’s story . . . in his own words. With exciting and knowledgeable text and lovely black-and-white art throughout—both by real horse owners—Horse Diaries are the perfect fit for all lovers of horses and history!

Recently freed from slavery, Gabriel is burning up the horse track as jockey and stacking up wins for his former master. When Mister Giles asks him to ride Aristo, a powerful but unpredictable horse, in the prestigious Saratoga Chase, Gabriel jumps at the chance to compete against some of the greatest jockeys in the business. But as he begins the journey to Saratoga, he finds that high-stakes horse racing can be a nasty business as he works to keep Aristo safe and fend off horse poachers and jealous jockeys. Gabriel also learns the difficult lesson that being freed is not the same as being free. More than ever, Gabriel misses his father, who is fighting with the Union Army. Who else can he trust? In the second book of the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart continues to explore the complex relationships of the Civil War. The result is a gripping story that vividly brings to life the danger and drama of a time when war and issues of race and freedom divided the country. Background historical material and photos are included.

A convict escapes from a prison work crew and hijacks a car. State police notify police departments all over the state of Virginia to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle. When the car is spotted by a Staunton police officer, an exciting chase ensues. Includes a police badge sticker. Full-color photos. Consumable.

A girl, her mother, and their dog must find a way to survive in gold rush-era Alaska. After escaping from his brutal and merciless owner, Murphy is taken in by a young girl named Sally. She and her mother have just arrived in Nome, Alaska, intent on joining the other gold seekers and making a new life. Yet even with Murphy at their side, Sally and Mama find living in the mining town harsh and forbidding. When it seems they may have to return to San Francisco, Sally and Murphy decide to strike out on their own, hoping to find gold and make a permanent home. But dangers await them—not only blizzards and grizzly bears, but also Murphy''s original owner, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. The Dog Chronicles series features fast-paced, fascinating historical fiction about working dogs, perfect for readers who love books.

Thirteen-year-old foster kid Jasmine Schuler is immediately drawn to the scrawny, broken-looking brown gelding huddled in the corner of an auction house stall. Feeling a kinship with the lonely animal, Jas convinces her new foster mom, who rescues and rehabilitates abused horses on her Virginia farm, to buy him. Slowly, the horse Jas names Shadow begins to blossom and even to thrive. But when Jas uncovers a startling clue to Shadow''s true identity, she becomes entangled in a mystery which could have serious consequences for the two of them. Both the heartwarming story of a young girl''s love for her horse and an intriguing mystery, this inspiring middle-grade novel will appeal to horse lovers and mystery fans alike.

In 1864 Kentucky, an enslaved boy dares to pursue his dream of becoming a jockey. Twelve-year-old Gabriel loves to help his father—one of the best horse trainers in Kentucky—care for the thoroughbred racehorses on Master Giles''s farm until the violence of war disrupts their familiar daily routine. When Gabriel''s father enlists in a Colored Battalion, Gabriel is both proud and worried. But his father''s departure brings the arrival of Mr. Newcastle, a white horse trainer with harsh, cruel methods for handling both horses and people. Now it is up to Gabriel to protect the horses he loves from Mr. Newcastle and keep them safely out of the clutches of Confederate raiders. In this first book in the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart explores the complex relationships of the Civil War in a gripping work of historical fiction. The result is a gripping story that vividly brings to life the danger and drama of a time when war and issues of race and freedom divided the country. Background historical material and photos are included.

For all lovers of horses and history, it''s the next book in the popular Horse Diaries series. Born in California at the start of the Great Depression, Risky Chance is a gray thoroughbred who was born to race. Life at the track and being spoiled by his jockey''s young daughter, Marie, is all Chance could ask for. He loves nothing more than running fast and winning. But after an accident, Chance discovers a side of horse racing that has little to do with glory. Like Black Beauty, this moving novel is told in first person from the horse''s own point of view and includes an appendix full of photos and facts about thoroughbreds, horse racing, and the Great Depression.

It all started with one mysterious briefcase.... When Allie''s father dies, her half sister, Kat, is left in charge of his detective agency -- and of Allie. Despite the many changes in her life, Allie can''t help being excited by the possibility of being close to some real private-eye adventures, the kind she is always daydreaming about. So when a man comes to the agency asking Kat to guard his briefcase, it looks like Allie will get her chance to investigate. But when Allie breaks into the briefcase, she makes a shocking discovery. And when she begins asking around, she realizes she may have taken on more than she bargained for. Whoever wants the briefcase kept safe desperately needs the agency''s help, and whoever wants them uncovered will do anything to find them....

A boy and his dog survive the 1909 Cherry Mine disaster in this action-packed and heartwarming story. When Thomas''s family needs money, he''s forced to go to work in the coal mines, even though neither of his late parents wanted that for him. His only comfort is his dog Finder, a failed hunting dog who now pulls a cart in the mines. When disaster strikes, can Thomas and Finder escape from the fires deep below ground? The Dog Chronicles series features fast-paced, fascinating historical fiction about working dogs, perfect for readers who love books.

Four roommates at a boarding school with a riding program prepare for an upcoming horse show.

During a visit to her grandparents'' Illinois farm in 1944, ten-year-old Molly tries to prove the innocence of a German-American neighbor whom the FBI suspects of smuggling anti-American propaganda. Includes historical notes about life on the home front in World War II.

Mary Beth and Lauren are vying for the same horse and the same boy. Their bickering is driving Andie and Jina nuts. When Lauren disappears the girls wonder if she has run away or was kidnapped.

Jesse is in his final year of primary school and should be living it up as one of the ''Kings'', but he can''t even get his Prep buddy to follow school rules. A hilarious story of being undervalued and over everything for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire. It''s the first day of school and I''ve already got three problems: 1) Mrs Leeman is my classroom teacher. She''s so ancient she taught my dad. 2) I might have accidentally been voted school captain. I had an unusually popular day when the class voted last year. 3) Somehow I''ve lost my Grade Six jumper between receiving it and Mrs Leeman''s lecture about being responsible. That''s a lot to go wrong in half an hour. On top of that, it''s a million degrees. So that''s four problems. It''s worse than I thought! At least things can only get better, right? Jesse will have you roaring with laughter as he navigates the rites and rituals of Grade Six including a disrespectful Prep buddy, a plumbing problem the size of Niagara Falls, not to mention the dreaded compulsory school camp. ''Prepare yourself for a rollicking ride!'' Nat Amoore, author of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire ''Hilarious! A must-read.'' Kate and Jol Temple, authors of Frog Squad and The Underdogs

Spunky Laren Remick is everyone''s best friend, the suite''s cheerleader, and sometimes peacemaker. But when the girls receive their mid-semester grades, she isn''t sure she''ll be allowed to continue at Foxhall. To Lauren''s relief, her adviser suggests a student tutor, Courtney Stewart. At first, Lauren idolizes the smart, popular girl. But then she finds out that Courtney isn''t so perfect, after all.

Hats finish an outfit; they make a statement, provide panache and lift your spirits. This book explains how to make your own hats, using traditional construction methods with both specialist millinery foundation materials and a range of fabrics and trimmings. It showcases twenty-six hats and headpieces, each with step-by-step photographs and instructions, some using ready-made elements, others that are made from scratch. Celebrating the versatility of hats, it introduces the wide range of styles and shapes that modern millinery has embraced. Explains the anatomy of the hat and how to fit a hat, and gives general millinery tips. Suggests sources of inspiration and design ideas. Introduces a range of hats and hat styles, from small, fun and fast headpieces to special occasion hats. Superbly illustrated with 534 colour step-by-step photographs.

When Jina agrees to show a sweet pony named Applejacks, and help out the pony''s young owner as well, she encounters an ill-mannered pony and a spoiled owner.

A World War I canine hero saves the day in this action-packed, heartwarming story. When the British military asks for dogs to help the war effort, Darling''s family reluctantly sends her to be trained as a mercy dog. Through gunfire and poisonous gases, it''s Darling''s job to find injured soldiers on the battlefield and fetch help from the medics. After saving the lives of numerous soldiers, Darling suddenly finds herself in need of rescue. Will she ever make it back to England? This wartime adventure is a touching and exciting introduction to World War I. Darling''s story of bravery and devotion reminds readers that dogs can be so much more than pets. The Dog Chronicles series features fast-paced, fascinating historical fiction about working dogs, perfect for readers who love books

Armed robbers take hostages at a bank in downtown Staunton! Specialized units within the police department work together to defuse the dangerous situation.

Jina brings her three roommates home with her for the Thanksgiving break foxhunt, but she finds they do not all agree about the welfare of the fox.

New series. Set in a horse riding stables. 8-12 yrs.

Nothing is going to spook Mary Beth.

Twelve-year-old Rose sets out to prove her brother''s innocence when he is accused of shooting a politician during a Wild West show performance in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1886.

Mary Beth is thrilled to be a new student at Foxhall Academy, but when she discovers that all her classmates are such great riders she signs up for the junior riding program.

In this hilarious sequel to School Rules are Optional, Jesse is back with even more hysterical antics as he navigates the worst family health kick ever and the chaotic end of Grade Six. It''s my first day back at school after the holidays and I''ve already got three burning questions: 1) When is my family''s disgusting diet going to end? 2) How will I finish my group project on time? 3) Why is my best friend Alex suddenly not talking to me? If that''s not bad enough, the classroom is overrun with lizards. At least things can''t get worse, right? Praise for School Rules Are Optional ''A rollicking ride!'' Nat Amoore, author of Secrets of a Schoolyard Millionaire ''Hilarious! A must-read.'' Kate and Jol Temple, authors of Frog Squad and The Underdogs

Looks at the life and career of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

The reader makes a series of choices that determine how the story''s main character will deal with her jealousy when her good friend, a gymnast, joins Innerstar University''s diving team and immediately excels.

When her pet dachshund, Scooter, goes missing, Maryellen decides to go looking for him, a search which leads her to the rocket launchpad at Cape Canaveral.

"Leo is a hardened old sea dog who knows not to trust anyone but himself after four ocean voyages. But when he sets sail with Magellan on a journey to find a westward route to the Spice Islands, he develops new friendships as they experience hunger and thirst, storms and doldrums, and mutinies and hostile, violent encounters. Will they ever find safe passage?"--

Young Wolf''s greatest wish is to join his tribe in pursuing buffalo, but his father thinks he is too young. However, Young Wolf prepares himself for the hunt--just in case his father changes his mind--in this moving story of courage and perseverance. From the Trade Paperback edition.