New Releases by Larry Dane Brimner

Ace enters a mountain bike race in this fast-paced, STEM-themed early reader! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic''s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow! Ace polishes up her mountain bike and prepares for the big bike race! She oils the chain and tests the brakes. Then the race begins! But Ace''s bike chain comes off the sprocket and then she needs to patch a tire! Will she be able to fix her bike and find her way to the finish line? With Larry Dane Brimner''s simple text and Kaylani Juanita''s full-color artwork on every page, this fast-paced, action-packed book is perfect for new readers!

Jane Addams Children''s Honor Book NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor Book Kirkus Reviews Best Children''s Book of the Year This nonfiction picture book focuses on Birmingham Sunday, a fateful day and significant part of the Civil Rights movement, and places it in historical context. Racial bombings were so frequent in Birmingham, Alabama that it became known as "Bombingham." Until September 15, 1963, these attacks had been threatening but not deadly. On that Sunday morning, however, a blast in the 16th Street Baptist Church ripped through the exterior wall and claimed the lives of four girls. The church was the ideal target for segregationists, as it was the rallying place for Birmingham''s African American community, Martin Luther King, Jr., using it as his "headquarters" when he was in town to further the cause of desegregation and equal rights. Rather than triggering paralyzing fear, the bombing was the definitive act that guaranteed passage of the landmark 1964 civil rights legislation.

Ace builds a cool skateboard and learns how to skate in this fast-paced, STEM-themed early reader! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic''s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow! Ace works hard to build a skateboard. She tightens every nut and bolt -- and adds a cool sticker. Then, Ace is ready to skate. But Ace goes too fast and falls down! She will have to try again. Will Ace ever be able to rocket up the ramp? With Larry Dane Brimner''s simple text and Kaylani Juanita''s full-color artwork on every page, this action-packed book is perfect for new readers!

Ace is ready to race her new car! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic''s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow! Ace has built her very own car and is getting ready to race! After oiling the wheels and kicking the tires, Ace sets out to win. But when a missing part and a rut in the middle of the track threaten to keep her in last place, Ace has to think fast to finish strong -- and come out on top! With Larry Dane Brimner''s simple text and Kaylani Juanita''s full-color artwork on every page, this fast-paced, action-packed book is perfect for new readers!

Ace has built her own go-kart, but when she is ready for a test run it will not start, and she has to figure out what part is missing--and then in the middle of the race something else goes wrong.

This important yet little-known civil rights story focuses on Roberto Alvarez, a student whose 1931 court battle against racism and school segregation in Lemon Grove, California, is considered the first time an immigrant community used the courts to successfully fight injustice. A must-read for young activists, or for anyone interested in standing up for what''s right. Roberto Alvarez’s world changed the day he could no longer attend Lemon Grove Grammar School in the small, rural community where he lived near San Diego, California. He and the other Mexican American students were told they had to go to a new, separate school—one where they would not hold back the other students. But Roberto and the other students and their families believed the new school’s real purpose was to segregate, to separate. They didn’t think that was right, or just, or legal. Based on true events, this picture book by Sibert award-winning author Larry Dane Brimner and Pura Belpré honor award-winning illustrator Maya Gonzalez follows Roberto and the other immigrant families on their journey.

When Mildred and Richard Loving are arrested, jailed, and exiled from their home simply because of their mixed-race marriage, they must challenge the courts and the country in order to secure their civil rights. Richard Perry Loving and Mildred Jeter Loving wanted to live out their married life near family in Virginia. However, the state refused to let them--because Richard was white and Mildred was black. After being arrested and charged with a crime, the Lovings were forced to leave their home--until they turned to the legal system. In one of the country''s most prominent legal battles, Loving v. Virginia, the Lovings secured their future when the court struck down all state laws prohibiting mixed marriage. Acclaimed author Larry Dane Brimner''s thorough research and detailed reconstruction of the Loving v. Virginia case memorializes the emotional journey towards marriage equality in this critical addition to his award-winning oeuvre of social justice titles.

In the nineteen fifties and early sixties, Birmingham, Alabama, became known as Bombingham. At the center of this violent time in the fight for civil rights, and standing at opposite ends, were Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and Eugene "Bull" Connor. From his pulpit, Shuttlesworth agitated for racial equality, while Commissioner Connor fought for the status quo. Relying on court documents, police and FBI reports, newspapers, interviews, and photographs, author Larry Dane Brimner first covers each man''s life and then brings them together to show how their confrontation brought about significant change to the southern city. The author worked closely with Birmingham''s Civil Rights Institute as well as with Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth and his wife to bring together this Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, ALA Notable Children''s book, and Kirkus Reviews Best Children''s Book of the Year.

This chilling and harrowing account tells the story of the Scottsboro Boys, nine African-American teenagers who, when riding the rails during the Great Depression, found their lives destroyed after two white women falsely accused them of rape. Award-winning author Larry Dane Brimner explains how it took more than eighty years for their wrongful convictions to be overturned. In 1931, nine teenagers were arrested as they traveled on a train through Scottsboro, Alabama. The youngest was thirteen, and all had been hoping to find something better at the end of their journey. But they never arrived. Instead, two white women falsely accused them of rape. The effects were catastrophic for the young men, who came to be known as the Scottsboro Boys. Being accused of raping a white woman in the Jim Crow south almost certainly meant death, either by a lynch mob or the electric chair. The Scottsboro boys found themselves facing one prejudiced trial after another, in one of the worst miscarriages of justice in U.S. history. They also faced a racist legal system, all-white juries, and the death penalty. Noted Sibert Medalist Larry Dane Brimner uncovers how the Scottsboro Boys spent years in Alabama''s prison system, enduring inhumane conditions and torture. The extensive back matter includes an author''s note, bibliography, index, and further resources and source notes.

A Kirkus Reviews Best Children''s Book NEW FROM 2018 SIBERT MEDALIST LARRY DANE BRIMNER! Here is the story of 19 men from the film industry who were investigated for suspected communist ties during the Cold War, and the 10--known as the Hollywood Ten--who were blacklisted for standing up for their First Amendment rights and refusing to cooperate. World War II is over, but tensions between the communist Soviet Union and the US are at an all-time high. In America, communist threats are seen everywhere and a committee is formed in the nation''s capital to investigate those threats. Larry Dane Brimner follows the story of 19 men--all from the film industry--who are summoned to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities. All 19 believe that the committee''s investigations into their political views and personal associations are a violation of their First Amendment rights. When the first 10 of these men refuse to give the committee the simple answers it wants, they are cited for contempt of Congress and blacklisted.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner “An engaging and accessible account” for young readers about the Freedom Riders who led the landmark 1961 protests against segregation on buses (School Library Journal) On May 4, 1961, a group of thirteen black and white civil rights activists launched the Freedom Ride, aiming to challenge the practice of segregation on buses and at bus terminal facilities in the South. The Ride would last twelve days. Despite the fact that segregation on buses crossing state lines was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1946, and segregation in interstate transportation facilities was ruled unconstitutional in 1960, these rulings were routinely ignored in the South. The thirteen Freedom Riders intended to test the laws and draw attention to the lack of enforcement with their peaceful protest. As the Riders traveled deeper into the South, they encountered increasing violence and opposition. Noted civil rights author Larry Dane Brimner relies on archival documents and rarely seen images to tell the riveting story of the little-known first days of the Freedom Ride.

Cory is turning seven, and his best friend convinces him to "investigate" the birthday present his mother has hidden away. But when they open it and it doesn''t work they''re afraid they''ve broken it! As if that isn''t bad enough, the class bully tries to ruin Cory''s birthday party at the skating rink. It looks as if second grade is off to a bad start for Cory Coleman.

In December 1915, San Diego''s leaders claimed the town''s reservoirs were nearly dry. Knowing the city would not survive and grow unless it had water, they hired Charles Mallory Hatfield, whose skills at making rain were legendary. But when torrents and torrents of rain came, disaster struck. Roads were closed, people drowned, and dams burst. The town elders blamed Hatfield and refused to pay him. Was Hatfield really a rain wizard, or simply a fraud? Renowned author Larry Dane Brimner examines the man and the myth by relying on personal recollections from growing up in California, as well as extensive research. Readers will be captivated by Hatfield—a man once known as the Frankenstein of the air—and his secret rainmaking formulas. Includes author''s note, source notes, and bibliography.

It''s not easy to find biographies that truly appeal to very young readers. Perhaps it''s because they take a special talent to write! What''s needed are authors who can distill a lot of complicated facts into clear, simple concepts, add a touch of warmth and humor, and create a story that a kid won''t want to put down. Add to the mix some lovely child-friendly art set in a framework of pastels and that''s American Heroes. These charming titles, all carefully researched and well documented, will fire the imaginations of young readers and help set them on a lifelong path to learning.

A biography of Pocahontas, a Native American woman who helped the Jamestown settlers.

A biography of Booker T. Washington, a man who rose from slavery to become a great African American educator and leader.

"A juvenile biography of Crazy Horse, warrior chief of the Oglala tribe of the Sioux nation"--Provided by publisher.

A look at the passion and courage of civil rights leader Bayard Rustin.

- Fits national reading standards by linking images to the text to provide picture clues and introduces age-appropriate vocabulary. - This series meets the Reading First initiative. - The repetitive language, structure, and rhyming patterns help children decipher words. - Word lists at the back of each book help build reading vocabularies. Grades K-4 Social Studies Standards Culture: I - Describe ways in which language, stories, folktales, music, and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence behavior of people living in a particular culture. Individual Development and Identity: IV - Work independently and cooperatively to accomplish goals. - Explore factors that contribute to one''s personal identity such as interests, capabilities, and perceptions. - Describe the unique features of one''s nuclear and extended families. - Identify and describe ways family, groups, and community influence the individual''s daily life and personal choices.

Kay fights a fierce dragon, but after tripping over her own tangled shoelaces, she learns that dragons are good at undoing knots.

Simple, rhyming text counts monkeys as they swing into a kitchen, enjoy a wild visit, and swing back out.

A girl and her younger brother learn the difference between big and small by comparing themselves to various animals.

A child describes some of the sights and sounds of early spring.

Egbert practices division as he shares cookies with his friends and neighbors.

Young Elwood prepares for bathtime as he adds his favorite playmates, including eight large elephants, to the water.

Young Max has invented a machine for adding and counting everything from shoes and socks piled on the floor to a school lunch with too many peas. Told in simple rhyming text.