New Releases by Fredrick McKissack

For more than a thousand years, from A.D. 500 to 1700, the medieval kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay grew rich on the gold, salt, and slave trade that stretched across Africa. Scraping away hundreds of years of ignorance, prejudice, and mythology, award-winnnig authors Patricia and Fredrick McKissack reveal the glory of these forgotten empires while inviting us to share in the inspiring process of historical recovery that is taking place today.

"A simple biography about Frederick Douglass, Jr. for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

Don''t wait for opportunities to come...get up and make them, said Madam C. J. Walker. She rose from laundry woman to become America''s first black woman millionaire. Born in poverty, Walker set her sights on a better life and made her fortune by developing hair care and beauty products specially formulated for African Americans. As her wealth and influence grew, she also channeled her energies into working for civil rights and social change. This real-life rags-to-riches story is presented here in an engaging narrative by the McKissacks.

Every school child knows the name of Martin Luther King, Jr., beacon of the civil rights movement. The McKissacks offer an easy-to-read journey through King''s life, as he brought people of all races and religions together to fight, without violence, for equality. Young readers will come away from this book with an understanding of the civil rights movement and what made Dr. King so special.

Marian Anderson, with the power of her magnificent voice, triumphed over the racial barriers of her time. In a career that spanned four decades, she lifted herself out of poverty to become a world-famous singer. In this wonderful, easy text, the McKissacks show how the light of Marian Anderson grew bright and transformed her into one of the most beloved people around the world.

In the next Clone Codes installment, Houston, a cyborg, tells his story. Houston must fight to overcome the rules of his strange universe, where the government uses laws to torment its citizens, especially cyborgs.

Acclaimed authors Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack have collaborated with their son, John, to deliver a novel that is as suspenseful as it is searing. "The Clone Codes" is the first installment of a sci-fi trilogy that blends a futuristic society with events in world history.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals found in the taiga"--Provided by publisher.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals and plants found in the grasslands"--Provided by publisher.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals and features of the ocean"--Provided by publisher.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals, plants, and features of the tropical rain forest"--Provided by publisher.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals and features of the temperate forest"--Provided by publisher.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals found in the tundra"--Provided by publisher.

"Children can count from one to ten as they read about the different animals, plants, and features of the desert"--Provided by publisher.

Music has been in my blood from the day I was born, said Louis Armstrong. He rose from a troubled childhood and a life of poverty to set the music world on fire. Armstrong''s lively trumpet playing, trademark "scat" singing, and natural talent for showmanship dazzled audiences for more than fifty years. In clear, crisp prose, the McKissacks place Armstrong in American musical history and show the impact his extraordinary talent made throughout the world.

Read about 13-year-old Clayton Banks in August 1963 as he is about to start high school and discovers his own feelings about the Civil Rights Movement. Includes black and white photographs and an author profile.

Erased by Time In 1619 twenty Africans stepped foot on American soil. They came not as slaves, but as indentured servants. They knew if they could hold on and finish out their sentences, they would be free. They came with dreams of the future and a vision of life as good as any other person''s, black or white. Who were these people? How did they get here? What happened to them? Much of the information about them -- even their names -- has been lost. Stories about them are incomplete, and facts are blurred by centuries of neglect. But their stories are worth knowing and keeping and sharing, for they are a part of the American saga. This is their story.

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.

MIAMI’S CLASS HAS a brand-new teacher, no-nonsense Miss Amerita Spraggins. She’s a real tough lady. She insists on assigned seats. She hands out detentions like coupons. She even refuses to call kids by their nicknames. Miami can’t take a whole year with crazy Miss Spraggins. He has to get out of her class!

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

AT LAST IT’S summer. Miami is more than ready for two weeks of baseball camp. No homework. No annoying sister. Best of all, no Destinee Tate. But Miami can’t escape Destinee. Turns out his best friend, String, invited her to Camp Atwater, too. And she’s making trouble, as usual, trying to get girls on the boys’ all-star team!

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

Describes the life of the sharecroppers'' son who became an Olympic legend, and challenged Hitler''s dream of Aryan superiority.

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.

After having fun at their family reunion, Messy Bessey''s family cleans up and leaves the park as beautiful as when they arrived.

MIAMI JACKSON CAN’T wait for school to end. But who ever thought five days could be so long? His teacher is leaving for Ghana, his arch-enemy, Destinee Tate, is on his case, and now Miami’s keeping secrets from his best friend, String. Summer can’t come soon enough!

Surveys the history of African Americans in basketball, from the beginning of the sport to the present, discussing individual teams and players and the integration of the NBA. By the co-author of Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

Bessey finally cleans up her messy room.

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