Most Popular Books by Patricia C. Mckissack

Discusses the Aztec Indians, their history, religion, language, customs, and final days.

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.

In the slave quarters of Virginia''s cotton plantations, people pray for freedom. Everybody''s mind is on freedom. But when will it come?

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.

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

In this rich and unique collection, Tennessee history is made real in stories which children love to read or hear. Drawn from different historical periods and ethnic groups, four engaging tales capture major episodes in the lives of famous people in Tennessee''s history. Color illustrations.

Dr. Rabbit joins the children''s dental play.

Messy Bessey discovers that with proper care her garden will flourish.

A stirring tribute to the human drama, legendary heroes, infamous owners, low pay, and long bus rides that were the Negro Leagues. A 1995 Coretta Scott King Honor Book.

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

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year! A Chicago Tribune Best Children''s Book of the Year! Weak, sick, and hungry, a tabby cat seeks shelter in an old barn, where the mice take pity on her and make her a warm, cozy bed in the straw. . . But as soon as she feels better, Marmalade the cat begins doing what cats do: chasing the mice! When Smart Mouse stumbles across an old bell, the mice hatch a plan to make sure Marmalade can never sneak up on them again... but who will be able to get the collar onto the cat? Retold by a master storyteller, this well-known fable is brought to life by bold, luminous illustrations of gentle mice, cozy barn corners, and of course, the magnificent feline rage of Marmalade on the hunt. A perfect read-aloud for winter days.

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

"Part songbook, part research text, this work is perfect for families to share together or for young scholars who seek to discover an important piece of cultural history."— School Library Journal, starred review From Newbery Honor winner Patricia C. McKissack and two-time Caldecott Honor winner Brian Pinkney comes an extraordinary must-have collection of classic playtime favorites. This very special book is sure to become a treasured keepsake for African American families and will inspire joy in all who read it. Parents and grandparents will delight in sharing this exuberant book with the children in their lives. Here is a songbook, a storybook, a poetry collection, and much more, all rolled into one. Find a partner for hand claps such as “Eenie, Meenie, Sassafreeny,” or form a circle for games like “Little Sally Walker.” Gather as a family to sing well-loved songs like “Amazing Grace” and “Oh, Freedom,” or to read aloud the poetry of such African American luminaries as Langston Hughes, James Weldon Johnson, and Paul Laurence Dunbar. And snuggle down to enjoy classic stories retold by the author, including Aesop’s fables and tales featuring Br’er Rabbit and Anansi the Spider. "A rich compilation to stand beside Rollins’s Christmas Gif’ and Hamilton’s The People Could Fly." —The Horn Book "An ebullient collection.... There is an undeniable warmth and sense of belonging to these tales." —Kirkus Reviews, Starred

Messy Bessey shows herself to be a true friend and a good guest when she helps to clean up after a messy birthday sleepover.

Nettie Jo desperately needs a needle to sew a new wedding dress for her beloved doll, but the three animals she helps during her search do not seem inclined to give her their assistance in return.

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

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

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

My Story: A Picture of Freedomis a tale based on the real-life memoirs of Clotee Henley, a young slave who helped over 150 slaves escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad. It''s 1859 and Clotee is a slave in a Virginia plantation. It''s illegal for slaves to read and write, but Clotee is teaching herself in secret. ''Freedom'' is just another word she''s learned to write. Then she finds out about the Underground Railroad, a network of people who help runaway slaves, and discovers that freedom is more than just a word... Experience history first-hand with My Story in this all-newlook!

Traces the life and achievements of the black educator who fought bigotry and sought equality for blacks in the areas of education and political rights.