New Releases by Marissa Moss

Bestselling and award-winning author-illustrator Marissa Moss tells the gripping story of America’s first female cryptanalyst, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who busted Nazi spy rings. Praised for her accessible blend of narrative nonfiction with graphic novel-style chapter openers in The Woman Who Split the Atom: The Life of Lise Meitner, Marissa Moss’s Spying on Spies: How Elizebeth Smith Friedman Broke the Nazis’ Secret Codes is another fascinating story of a groundbreaking woman in STEM. One of the founders of US cryptology who would eventually become one of the world’s greatest code breakers, Elizebeth Smith Friedman (1892–1980) was a brilliant mind behind many important battles throughout the 20th century, saving many lives through her intelligence and heroism. Whip-smart and determined, Elizebeth displayed a remarkable aptitude for language and recognizing patterns from a young age. After getting her start by looking for linguistic clues to the true authorship of Shakespeare’s writings, she and her husband, William Friedman, were tasked with heading up the first government code-breaking unit in America, training teams and building their own sophisticated code systems during the lead-up to World War I. Elizebeth’s solo career was even more impressive. She became the Treasury Department’s and Coast Guard’s first female codebreaker and created her own top-notch codebreaking unit, where she trained and led many male colleagues. During Prohibition in the 1920s, her work solving and intercepting coded messages from mobsters and criminal gangs lead to hundreds of high-profile criminal prosecutions, including members of Al Capone’s gang. Her crowning achievement came during World War II, when Elizebeth uncovered an intricate network of Nazi spies operating in South America, a feat that neither law enforcement nor intelligence agencies had been able to accomplish. Despite her unparalleled accomplishments, Elizebeth was largely written out of history books and overshadowed by her husband. Only in very recent years has her name begun to receive the attention it deserves, including the US Coast Guard naming a ship in her honor and the US Senate passing a 2019 resolution to honor her life and legacy. Back matter includes codes for kids to learn!

Can math-loving Talia crack the code of being cool in middle school? Marissa Moss, creator of the internationally best-selling Amelia’s Notebook series, makes a welcome, STEM-oriented return to the comics diary form. Talia loves math puzzles and code-breaking, but the new social rules of middle school have her stumped. Her best friend, Dash, is now embarrassed to be best friends with a girl, so he only wants to hang out with Talia outside of school. And although Talia is excited to make the math team, the strict team captain doubts her abilities . . . just because she’s a girl. But Talia has a great idea: she’ll start her own all-girls math team! As the first competition approaches, Talia is determined to bring her fledgling team to victory, get her best friend back, and break the social code of preteen life. In the spirit of her best-selling Amelia’s Notebook series, Marissa Moss brings Talia’s adventures to life through charming text, illustrations, doodles, graphs, and puzzles. This delightful new series is for all math-lovers, doodlers, and anyone who has ever had to navigate the unfamiliar conventions of a new school.

Bestselling author-illustrator Marissa Moss tells the gripping story of Lise Meitner, the physicist who discovered nuclear fission As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like having her name listed on her own research papers. Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she suddenly had to face not only sexism, but also life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the world: the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to give her any credit. Suddenly, the race to build the atomic bomb was on—although Meitner was horrified to be associated with such a weapon. “A physicist who never lost her humanity,” Meitner wanted only to figure out how the world works, and advocated for pacifism while others called for war. The book includes an afterword, author''s note, timeline, select terms of physics, glossary of scientists mentioned, endnotes, select bibliography, index, and Marissa Moss’s celebrated drawings throughout. The Woman Who Split the Atom is a fascinating look at Meitner’s fierce passion, integrity, and her lifelong struggle to have her contributions to physics recognized.

In the late 19th century, there wasn''t much hope for premature babies--until Dr. Couney developed the incubator. The device was so new and strange, hospitals rejected it. So Dr. Couney set up a sideshow at Coney Island, taking care of the tiniest newborns as part of a display to convince the public that incubators worked. Thousands of babies grew into healthy children as Boardwalk Babies, including Dr. Couney''s own premature daughter. Many of those babies came back as adults to thank the doctor for his miracle cures. Science meets magic show in this fascinating true story.

Middle school is tough enough for normal humans, but when you''re a vampire, it''s even more challenging. Edgar rises to the occasion with wit, humor, and some help from his friends.

Caravaggio was on a defiant mission to change the art world. Before him, there were pastel-colored idealized visions, polite paintings for a polite society. After him, there were slews of imitators, trying to grasp his brilliant slashes of light and dark, his people who looked more like your neighbor than a model of perfection. Bold with his brush, the young rebel was equally brash in his life, picking fights and getting arrested for things as silly as throwing a plate of artichokes in a waiter''s face. Until he faced the ultimate punishment, condemned for a murder he didn''t commit—at least not intentionally.

This wonderfully illustrated children’s biography of the great nineteenth-century detective “evokes a mysterious and exciting old-fashioned tale of espionage” (School Library Journal). Everyone knows the story of Abraham Lincoln, but few know anything about the spy who saved his life on the way to his 1861 inauguration! In The Eye That Never Sleeps, award-winning author and illustrator Marissa Moss reveals the true story of Allen Pinkerton. A poor Scottish immigrant, Pinkerton became the first police detective in Chicago before opening the country’s most successful detective agency. He solved more than 300 murders and recover millions of dollars in stolen money. However, his greatest contribution was foiling an assassination plot against Abraham Lincoln. The Eye That Never Sleeps is illustrated with a contemporary cartoon style, mixing art and text in a way that appeals to readers of all ages. The book also includes a bibliography and a timeline.

A picture book about Allan Pinkerton, an American detective and spy best known for saving Abraham Lincoln from an assassination attempt.

Last Things is the true and intensely personal story of how one woman coped with the devastating effects of a catastrophic illness in her family. Using her trademark mix of words and pictures to sharp effect, Marissa Moss presents the story of how she, her husband, and her three young sons struggled to maintain their sense of selves and wholeness as a family and how they continued on with everyday life when the earth shifted beneath their feet. After returning home from a year abroad, Marissa''s husband, Harvey, was diagnosed with ALS. The disease progressed quickly, and Marissa was soon consumed with caring for Harvey while trying to keep life as normal as possible for her young children. ALS stole the man who was her husband, the father of her children, and her best friend in less than 7 months. This is not a story about the redemptive power of a terminal illness. It is a story of resilience - of how a family managed to survive a terrible loss and grow in spite of it. Although it''s a sad story, it''s powerfully told and ultimately uplifting as a guide to strength and perseverance, to staying connected to those who matter most in the midst of a bleak upheaval. If you''ve ever wondered how you would cope with a dire diagnosis, this book can provide a powerful example of what it feels like and how to come through the darkness into the light. Last Things is one of the most amazingly poignant and honest memoirs - graphic or otherwise -- I''ve ever encountered. This book - which I read in one insatiable sitting -- tore my heart in two. Moss handles the material with such a delicate sensibility, both with her drawings and her text, I couldn''t help but let her carry me along on her journey of love and loss. ---Katie Hafner, contributing writer to The New York Times and author of Mother, Daughter, Me: A Memoir

A biography of Kate Warne, the first woman detective in the U.S after being hired by the Pinkerton Agency in 1856.

"Readers learn that New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston each had their own tea party that took place around the same time as Boston''s.

As a boy, Kenichi “Zeni” Zenimura dreams of playing professional baseball, but everyone tells him he is too small. Yet he grows up to be a successful player, playing with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig! When the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in 1941, Zeni and his family are sent to one of ten internment camps where more than 110,000 people of Japanese ancestry are imprisoned without trials. Zeni brings the game of baseball to the camp, along with a sense of hope. This true story, set in a Japanese internment camp during World War II, introduces children to a little-discussed part of American history through Marissa Moss’s rich text and Yuko Shimizu’s beautiful illustrations. The book includes author and illustrator notes, archival photographs, and a bibliography.

A story of a nineteen-year-old woman who disguised herself as a man to avoid an unwanted marriage and who distinguished herself as a male nurse during the Civil War, and later as a spy for the Union Army.

"Mira explores the past of her familiar Bay Area, discovering layers of history in San Francisco and learning the real reason her mother has been working to change history"--

Amelia meets her long-lost father in this touching and fun chapter book in Marissa Moss’s bestselling Amelia series! Amelia finally gets a chance to meet her father—well, she’s seen him before, but not since she was a baby, and she can’t remember anything about him. Now she’s going to see him again for a visit she’ll never forget!

Though she is excited about graduating from middle school, Amelia is sad that her best friend Carly won''t be joining her in high school, so she reminisces about her earlier years and notebooks.

While waiting for her sister''s medical appointment, a bored Amelia creates a handwritten book of more than 50 suggestions for passing the time. Now available in this backpack-size format. Full color.

To rescue her missing mother, thirteen-year-old Mira must travel to sixteenth-century Rome, where she befriends the painter Caravaggio and other artists and scientists under suspicion for being forward thinking individuals.

Historical fiction at its best, this novel by bestselling author Marissa Moss tells the story of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who masqueraded as a man named Frank Thompson during the Civil War. Among her many adventures, she was a nurse on the battlefield and a spy for the Union Army, and was captured by (and escaped from) the Confederates. The novel is narrated by Sarah, offering readers an in-depth look not only at the Civil War but also at her journey to self-discovery as she grapples with living a lie and falling in love with one of her fellow soldiers. Using historical materials to build the foundation of the story, Moss has crafted a captivating novel for the YA audience. The book includes a Civil War timeline, archival photos, a glossary of names, and a detailed note on sources.

When Mira receives a cryptic postcard from her missing mother, she sets off with her father and brother to find her in Paris. Only Mira doesn''t know she''s looking in the wrong century. With an innocent touch to a gargoyle sculpture on the roof of Notre Dame, Mira is whisked into the past. There she learns her mother isn''t just avoiding the family, she''s in serious trouble. Following her mother''s clues, Mira travels through time to help change history and bring her mother home. "Long after I finished this fast–paced and compelling novel, I thought about Mira. Would I be as determined in pursuit of truth and tolerance? Would you?" —Karen Cushman, Newberry Medal Winner

First published in 1997 by Tricycle Press as: Amelia hits the road.

Amelia takes on babysitting and learns a thing or two in this charming installment of Marissa Moss’s beloved Amelia series. When Amelia and Carly decide to start a babysitting business, they think they are prepared…and then Ruthy and Tyler come along. Get ready for a real adventure in Extreme Babysitting!

Crush alert! Boys enter the picture in this thirteenth book of the bestselling and perennially popular Amelia series. Amelia can’t believe eighth grade is finally here! She knows this will be the most exciting year yet for her and her best friend, Carly. But a lot of the other girls are thinking about one thing, and one thing only: boys. Amelia has never wanted a boyfriend. Crushes are for the silly girls who are always fixing their hair and thinking about shopping and what to wear next…right? But when a nice boy named Gerald appears in her class, Amelia thinks she might like to go to the school dance with him. It would be fun to have someone to dance with—but can she work up the nerve to ask him? What if he says no? Is the possible reward worth the risk? There’s only one way to find out… Once again, Marissa Moss tells a tale of wisdom gained in the humorous and human way that has earned her millions of loyal readers.

Can Amelia keep a friend and her deepest secrets at the same time? Amelia’s sister, Cleo, gives her a new notebook as a tenth birthday present, and Amelia can’t wait to fill it with all her secret thoughts and drawings. But when her best friend Leah wants to read her notebook, Amelia is torn: Sometimes secrets are better when shared with friends, but other secrets are private. How can Amelia keep her friend from feeling left out while still saving some secrets for herself?

Ida Lewis loved everything about the sea, so when her father became the official keeper of Lime Rock Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island, she couldn’t imagine anything better. Throughout the years, Ida shadowed her father as he tended the lighthouse, listening raptly to his stories about treacherous storms, drowning sailors, and daring rescues. Under her father’s watchful eye, she learned to polish the lighthouse lens so the light would shine bright. She learned to watch the sea for any sign of trouble. And, most importantly, she learned to row. Ida felt ready for anything—and she was. Award-winning author Marissa Moss pairs up with award-winning illustrator Andrea U’Ren in a stunning collaboration that sheds light on a remarkable piece of history. Based on the true story of Ida Lewis, who was dubbed “the Bravest Woman in America” and who was recognized with the Congressional Life Saving Medal and the American Cross of Honor, this inspiring and unforgettable tale of courage and real-life heroism is a tribute to brave women everywhere.

Amelia is back to share the most unforgettable embarrassing field trip where her weird, annoying, and horrible big sister, Cleo, is the chaperone! What could be worse? When Mrs. O’Neill announces the 6th Grade Field Trip to the Nature Preserve, Amelia thinks middle school is the best! Then she discovers that her sister, Cleo, is going too. Talk about embarrassing! Amelia tries to miss the bus and pretends to be sick but neither plan works. So off to nature with Cleo and the entire 6th grade. Could this trip show Amelia a new side of Cleo that isn’t as bad as she thought? Does Cleo even have another side? How will Amelia ever survive the embarrassment of it all?

What makes a real, true BFF? In this relatable installment of the bestselling Amelia series, Amelia loves her two best friends—but will she have to choose between old and new? Amelia is so excited that Nadia, her BFF from back in California, is coming to visit. She’s sure that Nadia and Carly, her BFF in Oregon, are going to really hit it off and they’ll have a great week together. But as it turns out, Nadia and Carly can’t stand each other. Now Amelia is trapped in the middle of her warring best friends. How is she supposed to choose sides? With characteristic humor and determination, Amelia sets out to discover what it takes to be a good friend.

When Amelia’s mom gives her a journal for her birthday, she finally has a place to share her truest feelings at last! Nine-year-old Amelia’s mother gives her a blank notebook to write down her thoughts and tells her it will make her feel better. Why would a dumb notebook make me feel better, Amelia thinks. The only thing that will make Amelia feel better is going back to old house, her old school, and her old friends. Amelia does not—do you hear this!—want to move. But no one is listening to Amelia.

Amelia writes all about the 6th grade in this sweet and silly installment of the bestselling Amelia series! It’s time to open the door to middle school and Amelia can’t wait. There’s only one bad thing, but it is a big bad thing: her sister, Cleo, who thinks she’s better than everyone else is in the same school now. But she’s in 8th grade, so Amelia can try to ignore her just like at home. But what Amelia didn’t count on was her history teacher, Mr. Lambaste—grumpy and mean and a BIG BULLY. But he’s the teacher so what can Amelia do?