New Releases by Fredrick McKissack

A history of African-American whalers between 1730 and 1880, describing their contributions to the whaling industry and their role in the abolitionist movement.

When Messy Bessey starts to clean up her desk at school, she inspires the rest of the class to clean up the entire room.

A fun and engaging way for young children to figure out concepts and solving problems on his or her own. Rookie Readers (Ages 5-7) have provided entertaining, high-quality introductions to reading for more than a generation. Each title features full-color, often hilarious illustrations and engaging stories that always involve a young child figuring out concepts or solving problems on his or her own. Messy Bessey shows herself to be a true friend and a good guest when she helps to clean up after a messy birthday sleepover.

A biography of the black playwright who received great recognition for her work at an early age.

Describes the slave revolts in the United States during the 1800''s.

Traces the history of baseball in the Negro Leagues and its great heroes, including Monte Irwin, Buck Leonard, and Cool Papa Bell.

Examines the lives and achievements of African-American scientists from colonial days to the present, including Benjamin Banneker, George Washington Carver, and several black astronauts.

The year is 1859, and it''s Christmastime on a Virginia Plantation. The slaves are cleaning and setting up the Big House--where their masters live--for the festivities. The Big House is filled with warmth, colorful decorations, and yummy food...but there is talk of war and a sense that times may be changing. In the quarters--where the slaves live--conditions are poor, dirty, and cold, but the slaves are filled with hope for better times ahead, and they sing songs of freedom.Moving deftly between two worlds, this beautifully illustrated book is a historical tale as well as a holiday treat.

Presents stories of remarkable men and women who have produced inventions that made major contributions to a wide range of fields.

Born a slave in the State of New York, Sojourner Truth escaped to freedom in 1826 and then traveled throughout the Northeast, preaching in a tireless fight against slavery and the oppression of women. Give your readers a powerful story to remember.

Highlights the life of this great man, who went from being a slave to a teacher and an American icon.

Zora Neale Hurston, an anthropologist and storyteller, was an active writer during the Harlem Renaissance. In recent years her work has received renewed attention recently due to the efforts of the writer Alice Walker. Give your readers a compelling look at this talent.

Satchel Paige was forty-two years old when he became the first African-American pitcher in the American League. His achievements ultimately won him a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

This excellent beginning-to-read series will score easily with early readers.

From the beginning of Reconstruction to the present, traces the struggle of blacks to gain their civil rights in America, with a brief comparison of their problems to those of other minorities.

Louis Armstrong was the father of the modern jazz trumpet style. He was also famous for his singing and playing of the song, Hello Dolly. Give your readers an unforgettable biography that is bound to become a favorite book.

An educator and social reformer, Mary Church Terrell was the first president of the National Association of Colored Women and was an advocate for the right of women to vote. Introduce your readers to this important civic leader.

Traces the life of the African American educator and leader, focusing on his stewardship of Tuskegee Institute.

Recounts the life of the author and civil rights leader who blazed a trail for racial equality and human rights through his songs, poems, speeches, and other writings.

Discusses, in simple text and illustrations, the meaning of life and death and God''s promise of eternal life.

A chronicle of the first black-controlled union, made up of Pullman porters, who after years of unfair labor practices staged a battle against a corporate giant resulting in a "David and Goliath" ending.

Simple text and illustrations of a variety of insects introduce the numbers one through five.

An easy-to-read retelling of the fairy tale about three clever goats and a nasty troll.

The story of Jesus birth.

An easy-to-read retelling of the fairy tale in which an ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.

An easy-to-read retelling of the traditional tale about the little red hen and her lazy friends.

An easy-to-read retelling of the well-known fable about two mice and the discovery they make.