Most Popular Books by George Ella Lyon

Born in the small, eastern Kentucky coal-mining town of Harlan, George Ella Lyon began her career with Mountain, a chapbook of poems. She has since published many more books in multiple genres and for readers of all ages, but poetry remains at the heart of her work. Many-Storied House is her fifth collection. While teaching aspiring writers, Lyon asked her students to write a poem based on memories rooted in a house where they had lived. Working on the assignment herself, Lyon began a personal journey, writing many poems for each room. In this intimate book, she strives to answer lingering questions about herself and her family: "Here I stand, at the beginning," she writes in the opening lines of the volume, "with more questions than / answers." Collectively, the poems tell the sixty-eight-year-long story of the house, beginning with its construction by Lyon''s grandfather and culminating with the poet''s memories of bidding farewell to it after her mother''s death. Moving, provocative, and heartfelt, Lyon''s poetic excavations evoke more than just stock and stone; they explore the nature of memory and relationships, as well as the innermost architecture of love, family, and community. A poignant memoir in poems, Many-Storied House is a personal and revealing addition to George Ella Lyon''s body of work.

Golden Kite Award winner 1989 Booklist, Editor''s Choice School Library Journal, Best Books of 1988 Publisher''s Weekly , Best Books of 1988 Twelve-year-old Amanda Perritt is pitched head-first into adult responsibilities when she has to quit school to care for her newborn brother and invalid mother. She gets an escape, she thinks, when she''s offered a trip to stay with her grandmother and her sophisticated Aunt Laura in Memphis. But during the visit, she discovers unexpected parallels between her mother''s childhood and her own and comes to understand her own individuality as well as what it means to be part of a family.

Tells the stories of people who faced difficult choices involving marriage, education, work and debt

Acclaimed poet George Ella Lyon returns with a brilliant new collection that traces the arc of a woman''s life from girlhood to mature womanhood. In answer to the first poem, "Little Girl Who Knows Too Much," Lyon embarks on a journey from a child who was silenced to "Some Big Loud Woman" who claims the right to a voice. Along the way she meets allies and guides including Dickinson, Woolf, Mary Travers, Grace Paley, and the giver of dreams. As sailors once navigated by the stars, so Lyon navigates by these luminaries. They are not distant, though. Their light is always near. Alternately witty, tender, shocking, and visionary, Back to the Light reveals the reunion of body and spirit, truth and story. In the process, it demonstrates the power of poetry to liberate and to heal.

From George Ella Lyon comes a dynamic and humorous collection examining the transformations of one woman''s life as she tries on, takes on, and peels off identities learned from family stories, gender, fairy tales, and myths. She Let Herself Go spirals through girlhood, wifehood, motherhood, and writerhood, through the poet''s evolution, casting a discerning-and often irreverent-eye on the cultural expectations that have shaped her. Claiming Virginia Wolf as word-mother, these poems converse with powerful feminist poets, including Muriel Rukeyser, Ruth Stone, and Grace Paley.

The powerful poems in this poignant collection weave together multiple voices to tell the story of the March on Washington, DC, in 1963. From the woman singing through a terrifying bus ride to DC, to the teenager who came partly because his father told him, "Don''t you dare go to that march," to the young child riding above the crowd on her father''s shoulders, each voice brings a unique perspective to this tale. As the characters tell their personal stories of this historic day, their chorus plunges readers into the experience of being at the march—walking shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, hearing Martin Luther King Jr.''s famous speech, heading home inspired.

Through ghostly visitation and a diary that seems mysteriously to write itself with twelve-year-old Abby''s hands, a Civil War nurse asks for help with medical supplies across an abyss of 133 years.

A collection of poems by award-winning American author, George Ella Lyon.

All the water in the world is all the water in the world. We are all connected by water, and this message is beautifully, lyrically delivered from poet-musician-author George Ella Lyon. Where does water come from? Where does water go? Find out in this exploration of oceans and waterways that highlights an important reality: Our water supply is limited, and it is up to us to protect it. Dynamic, fluid art paired with pitch-perfect verse makes for a wise and remarkable read-aloud that will resonate with any audience.On sale: 03.22.11

Doubles are good for lots of things—double scoops of ice cream, double features at the movies. But double vision is NOT a good kind of double. In fact, it can make kindergarten kind of hard. Ginny sees double chairs at reading circle and double words in her books. She knows that only half of what she sees is real, but which half? The solution to her problem is wondrously simple: an eye patch! Ginny becomes the pirate of kindergarten.With the help of her pirate patch, Ginny can read, run, and even snip her scissors with double the speed! Vibrant illustrations from Lynne Avril capture the realities of what Ginny sees both before and after.

Which Side Are You On? tells the story of the classic union song that was written in 1931 by Florence Reece in a rain of bullets. It has been sung by people fighting for their rights all over the world. Florence''s husband Sam was a coal miner in Kentucky. Many of the coal mines were owned by big companies, who kept wages low and spent as little money on safety as possible. Miners lived in company houses on company land and were paid in scrip, good only at the company store. The company owned the miners sure as sunrise. That''s why they had to have a union. Miners went on strike until they could get better pay, safer working conditions, and health care. The company hired thugs to attack union organizers like Sam Reece. George Ella Lyon tells this hair-raising story through the eyes of one of Florence''s daughters, a dry-witted, pig-tailed gal whose vantage point is from under the bed with her six brothers and sisters. The thugs'' bullets hit the thin doors and windows of the company house and the kids lying low wonder whether they''re going to make it out of this alive; wonder exactly if this strike will make their lives better or end them, but their mother keeps scribbling and singing. "We need a song," she tells her kids. That''s not at all what they think they need. Graphic novelist Christopher Cardinale brings Florence''s triumphant story to life in true rip-roaring union style. Selected as an IRA Notable Book for a Global Society and a 2012 Skipping Stones Honor Book.

Sonny is only one of the spies at the Bradshaw house in Mozier, Alabama. But as a child he saw a tray full of dinner come flying across the front hall at his father. His mother''s aim was dead on. And Daddy''s departure promptly followed. Loretta, Sonny''s older sister, spies by eavesdropping. As she tells him, "How else am I going to survive in a family tight-lipped as tombs?" But the kids'' spying only scratches the surface of what''s really going on in this 1950s family in the deep South. While Deaton, the youngest, worries about pirates and vampires, and Uncle Marty, family protector, serves up scripture with every bite at the Circle of Life donut shop, somebody is watching. Somebody unsuspected by Sonny. But at thirteen he knows something''s fishy, and he intends to find out what. That''s why one Friday after Uncle Marty pays him for dishwashing at the Circle of Life, he sneaks out of town, first by bike and then by bus. Selma, his mama; Mamby; Nissa; Uncle Sink; Aunt Roo; his sister and brother -- nobody from that all-too-serious but often hilarious crew has a clue where he''s gone. And even Sonny can''t say exactly what he''s after, until those tight-lipped tombs start talking, and life in the house on Rhubarb changes for good.

After sixteen-year-old Jules has her baby, Zoe, it doesn''t matter anymore that her mother thinks she''s a drama queen, or that her father left them years ago, or even that Zoe''s father is gone, too. She and her baby make a family now; she doesn''t need anyone else in the world except Zoe.Though it''s tough being a new mom, balancing Zoe''s needs with working at the Toyota factory and thinking about how to finish school, Jules is sure she''ll figure it out. Still, she wonders, why can''t anyone be happy for her and Zoe? And why does her mom refuse to believe that Zoe''s real?

Uses rhyme to enumerate and describe natural objects seen while walking through the woods.

A bold, lyrical collection of poems that highlight some of the most celebrated activists from around the world and throughout history. In the face of injustice, the world has always looked to brave individuals to speak up and spark change. Nelson Mandela used his voice to bring down Apartheid. Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birutè Galdikas gave a voice to the primates who couldn’t speak for themselves. The Women of Greenham Common used their collective voice to fight against preparations for nuclear war. And today’s youth—like Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, the students of Stoneman Douglas High School, and Greta Thunberg—unite their voices to stop gun violence, save the planet, and so much more. Through enlightening poems by award-winning poet and author George Ella Lyon and stunning portraits by artist Jennifer M. Potter, Voices of Justice introduces young readers to the groundbreaking work of people who fought—and continue to fight—to make the world a better place. Featuring those mentioned above along with Virginia Woolf, Dolores Huerta, Shirley Chisholm, Jasilyn Charger, Jeannette Rankin, and more, each portrait offers a vision of action and love that gets up and does something, no matter the forces ranged against it, no matter the odds.

This title is a fascinating and haunting memoir of a stunning past-life event that began when the author was five years old, traveling with her family on a trip to Niagara Falls. Her quest to understand the details and characters of this spiritual mystery becomes a decades-long journey from Harlan County, Kentucky; to Bath, New York; to Llanrwst, Wales.

The author describes how her love of words and her personal experiences evolved into a career as a writer.

In the spirit of Mark Teague’s Fly, Baby Bird learns to overcome his fear of leaving the nest in this sweet and encouraging picture book. Mama Bird says it’s time to fly! Baby Bird thinks not. Nest is best…or is it? With the help of his mama, Baby Bird discovers the amazing things that can happen if he finds the courage to spread his wings and fly.

A boy is hired to shepherd a boxcar of animals.

Stunning illustrations and poetic text fill the pages of this enchanting picture book that celebrates nature and its evocative, peaceful beauty. The forest sees every season, from the first snowflake to the blossoming flower buds. The forest sees the ever-moving life in nature and the beauty it emanates. With lyrical language and rich and textured illustrations, What Forest Knows takes you on a hike through the trees, beyond the meadows, between the deer and foxes, and into the heart of the outdoors.

We’ve already learned that trucks roll, planes fly, and boats float. Now, all aboard for the fourth book in George Ella Lyon’s transportation series, and this time learn all about trains! Train travels down the track— all day gone all night back. Trains run! From steam engines to subways, from the locomotive to the caboose, this story stays right on track, exploring all different kinds of trains and what they do in a day.

When Sumi''s brother leaves for boarding school, her best friend moves away, her grandfather dies, and her mother withdraws into grief, Sumi finds herself facing the beginning of adolescence alone and afraid.

Mother and child ponder the past in discussing who might have traveled down an old, old road, looking backwards from pioneer settlers all the way to prehistoric animals.

Set sail into the world of boats in this buoyant companion to Trucks Roll! and Planes Fly! Sails and engines paddles and oars make the trip from shore to shore. Boats float! From steamships to ghostships, to the little and big in-between ships, this fun, rhyming book explores a wide array of boats. The third in George Ella Lyon’s transportation series, Boats Float! Takes to the seas with dynamic illustrations that will keep even the youngest of readers eager to turn the page.

A boy thinks about the possible scenarios that exist for him at home if his father goes off to fight in the Civil War.

From the author of Trucks Roll!, an up-in-the-clouds exploration of all things airplane. World’s mighty big but there’s just one sky and it’s yours to travel. Planes fly! Take to the skies with this fun, rhyming book about all that planes do! From jet planes to puddle jumpers, from the cockpit to the rudders, this book explores it all—and the bright, dynamic illustrations will keep even the youngest of readers engaged.

A girl provides a lighthearted account of the spring floods at her rural home.

One friend helps another through the pitfalls and pratfalls of a day at summer camp.

A mother describes her job working as a miner.

Lyon and Anderson deliver this beautifully rendered picture book that shows the process of how a tapestry comes to life--from the wool sheared from prize-winning sheep to being dyed to put on the loom. Full color.

The rhyming verse presents all sorts of "appetizing" meals to be had outdoors, including "puddle ink to drink," "gravel crunch for lunch, and "worms and dirt for dessert."

Illustrations and simple, rhyming text reveal many different--and sometimes silly--items that trucks can haul.

A loved book lifts you -- comforts, excites, entices. Book, in words and paintings, captures the feeling of opening to page one -- for the first or the fiftieth time - and entering the worlds of drama, imagination, and fun promised beyond it. A girl in red flannel pj''s reaches toward a panel in the night sky. The panel, one of four, bears a B. Light floods the girl''s face, all anticipation, for she is all readers. And then she is inside, inside the B-O-O-K, words streaming toward her, beckoning, circling her, music in their meaning and their sound A castle, a cave - its walls dancing with wild ponies, one of which joins the girl on her journey -- these are passing wonders on the way to the source. Writer and reader meet "as the gate of the book swings wide, " a culmination caught in a breathtaking sequence of spreads. Look at the girl on the jacket for a hint of how Book feels, a sensory adventure that ends with a benediction: "May it hold you. May it set you free."