New Releases by Patricia McKissack

The thrilling graphic biography of the unforgettable Nat Love, from acclaimed authors Patricia C. McKissack and Fredrick L. McKissack Jr., is now in paperback! Born into slavery in 1854, Nat Love, also known as Deadwood Dick, grew up to become the most famous African American cowboy in the Old West. A contemporary and acquaintance of Bat Masterson and Billy the Kid, Nat was widely known as an expert roper and driver, a crack shot, and a real Wild West character. Featuring lively full-color artwork by Randy DuBurke, Best Shot in the West is an exhilarating mix of high-interest historical fiction and nonstop adventure.

With an extraordinary gift for suspense, McKissack brings us ten original, spine-tingling tales inspired by African American history and the mystery of that eerie half hour before nightfall—the dark-thirty.

CORETTA SCOTT KING – JOHN STEPTOE ILLUSTRATOR AWARD FOR NEW TALENT WINNER This final, magnificent picture book from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author Patricia McKissack is a poignant and uplifting celebration of the joy of giving. "Misery loves company,"" Mama says to James Otis. It''s been a rough couple of months for them, but Mama says as long as they have their health and strength, they''re blessed. One Sunday before Valentine''s Day, Reverend Dennis makes an announcement during the service-- the Temples have lost everything in a fire, and the church is collecting anything that might be useful to them. James thinks hard about what he can add to the Temple''s ""love box,"" but what does he have worth giving? With her extraordinary gift for storytelling, McKissack--with stunning illustrations by Harrison--delivers a touching, powerful tale of compassion and reminds us all that what is given from the heart, reaches the heart.

For more than a thousand years, from A.D. 500 to 1700, the medieval kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhay grew rich on the gold, salt, and slave trade that stretched across Africa. Scraping away hundreds of years of ignorance, prejudice, and mythology, award-winnnig authors Patricia and Fredrick McKissack reveal the glory of these forgotten empires while inviting us to share in the inspiring process of historical recovery that is taking place today.

Illus. in full color."Mirandy is sure she''ll win the cake walk if she can catch Brother Wind for her partner, but he eludes all the tricks her friends advise. This gets a high score for plot, pace, and characterization. Mirandy sparkles with energy and determination. Multi-hued watercolors fill the pages with patterned ferment. A treat to pass on to new generations."--(starred) Bulletin, Center for Children''s Books. Cassette running time: 20 min.

"A simple biography for early readers about Carter G. Woodson''s life"--

"A simple biography about Madam CJ Walker for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography about George Washington Carver for early readers"--

"A simple biography for early readers about Marian Anderson''s life"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography about Ida B. Wells Barnett for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography about Martin Luther King, Jr. for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography about Frederick Douglass, Jr. for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography about Paul Robeson for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography for early readers about Louis Armstrong''s life"--Provided by publisher.

"A simple biography about Jesse Owens for early readers"--Provided by publisher.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, grandmother and granddaughter, aunt and niece, friend and friend. For a hundred years, generations of women from Gee’s Bend have quilted together, sharing stories, trading recipes, singing hymns—all the while stitchin’ and pullin’ thread through cloth. Every day Baby Girl listens, watches, and waits, until she’s called to sit at the quilting frame. Piece by piece, she puzzles her quilt together—telling not just her story, but the story of her family, the story of Gee’s Bend, and the story of her ancestors’ struggle for freedom.

A historical chapter book series from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author, Patricia C. McKissack. Brothers Tank and Jimbo Turner love sneaking into Nashville''s Sulphur Dell Ballpark to watch the superstars of Negro League baseball. When Josh Gibson, the famous home-run hitter for the Homestead Grays, bunks at their house, the boys think they''re one step away from heaven. With warmth and humor, the fourth installment of Patricia C. McKissack''s family saga brings to life an era of all-black baseball for readers who may not know that Major League teams were once restricted only to white players. "A good child''s-eye introduction to baseball''s segregated past." --Booklist

A historical chapter book series from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author, Patricia C. McKissack. For Lilly Belle, ?the capital of Black America? is about as far from her hometown of Smyrna, Tennessee, as a twelve-year-old can get?maybe not in miles but certainly in mindset. Then a summer program for gifted young writers opens a whole new world for Lilly Belle. Jazz music in the street lulls her to sleep, her classroom is in a mansion, and the author Zora Neale Hurston is her teacher, helping her understand the power of words, especially her own. Once again, award-winning author Patricia C. McKissack builds an involving story around real events and famous figures. "McKissack writes with empathy for the characters as well as a good eye for details that bring the period to life." --Booklist

Side-splittingly funny, spine-chillingly spooky, this companion to a Newbery Honor–winning anthology The Dark Thirty is filled with bad characters who know exactly how to charm. From the author''s note that takes us back to McKissack''s own childhood when she would listen to stories told on her front porch... to the captivating introductions to each tale, in which the storyteller introduces himself and sets the stage for what follows... to the ten entertaining tales themselves, here is a worthy successor to McKissack''s The Dark Thirty. In "The Best Lie Ever Told," meet Dooley Hunter, a trickster who spins an enormous whopper at the State Liar''s contest. In "Aunt Gran and the Outlaws," watch a little old lady slickster outsmart Frank and Jesse James. And in "Cake Norris Lives On," come face to face with a man some folks believe may have died up to twenty-seven different times!

A historical chapter book series from three-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and Newbery Honor author, Patricia C. McKissack. Why has their grandmother bothered keeping a menu from a restaurant that closed years ago, a restaurant that never served very good food in the first place? Three cousins listen to Gee''s own story, set in the early days of lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville, a time when a black child could sit up front in a city bus but still could not get a milk shake at a downtown restaurant. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Abby, young readers see what it was like to live through those days, and they''ll come to understand that, like a menu, freedom is about having choices. Each book in this series tells the story behind a different "scrap of time"; together they form a patchwork quilt of one black family''s past that stretches back for generations. "A perfect introduction to an extraordinary time when regular people, even ten-year-old girls, make a difference." --The Horn Book "The book gives readers a kid''s-eye view of important happenings and reminds them that history is something that is in the making." --Booklist

MIAMI’S CLASS HAS a brand-new teacher, no-nonsense Miss Amerita Spraggins. She’s a real tough lady. She insists on assigned seats. She hands out detentions like coupons. She even refuses to call kids by their nicknames. Miami can’t take a whole year with crazy Miss Spraggins. He has to get out of her class!

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. Bessey and her mother bake cookies for Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah, and after cleaning up the kitchen, they distribute the treats to their neighbors.

AT LAST IT’S summer. Miami is more than ready for two weeks of baseball camp. No homework. No annoying sister. Best of all, no Destinee Tate. But Miami can’t escape Destinee. Turns out his best friend, String, invited her to Camp Atwater, too. And she’s making trouble, as usual, trying to get girls on the boys’ all-star team!

MIAMI JACKSON CAN’T wait for school to end. But who ever thought five days could be so long? His teacher is leaving for Ghana, his arch-enemy, Destinee Tate, is on his case, and now Miami’s keeping secrets from his best friend, String. Summer can’t come soon enough!

Newbery honor author Patricia C. McKissack’s original yarn of the Louisiana bayou is "told with verve and sly wit." (Publishers Weekly, Starred review) Hugh Thomas knows that the Bayou Clapateaux is a mighty peculiar place. Why, back in 1903, Papa-Daddy and Elder Abbajon caught a turkey that weighed 500 pounds…more or less. 500 pounds?! Hugh Thomas isn’t so sure about that, until he’s left alone on the bayou with only his fishing pole for company. Soon he catches three fish, and then…a million more! But after meeting up with raccoon bandits, thieving crows, and a hungry cat named Chantilly, Hugh Thomas returns home with just enough fish for breakfast…and a fantastic story, of course!

With skills like farming, carpentry, and sewing, Booker T. Washington believed that blacks could find acceptance in the racist white society of the late 1880s. His school became a leading educator of African Americans, and he became a powerful national figure, advising business owners and even presidents. Though many considered Washington the most important black leader of his time, some other black leaders criticized his accommodating "Uncle Tom" views. In simple language, the McKissacks clarify Booker T. Washington''s philosophy, accomplishments, and place in history.