The Donner Party expedition is one of the most notorious stories in all of American history. It's also a fascinating snapshot of the westward expansion of the United States, and the families and individuals who sacrificed so much to build new lives in a largely unknown landscape. From the preparation for the journey to each disastrous leg of the trip, this book shows the specific bad decisions that led to the party's predicament in the Sierra Nevada...

Biographical material on black Americans who pioneered in various fields, including exploring, statesmanship, business, and activism.

Draws on Red Cloud's autobiography, which was lost for nearly a hundred years, to present the story of the great Oglala Sioux chief who was the only Plains Indian to defeat the United States Army in a war.

"When Nat Love was born into slavery in Tennessee, his family worked on a tobacco plantation. He longed to see the world and soon became a talented horse rider. At the age of fifteen, he left his family and headed to Dodge City, Kansas. As a young cowboy in America's Wild West, Love broke wild horses and won shooting contests. Young readers will delight in learning about the adventures of this African American cowboy. A timeline, sidebars, and primary...

A picture book biography about activism, this is the story of Velma Johnston, a trailblazing woman who mobilized children in her crusade to save wild mustangs. Full color.

"A richly illustrated portrait of the Founding Father and first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury describes his experiences as an illegitimate orphan, soldier, friend, philanderer, political firebrand and financial whiz whose groundbreaking policies continue to shape today's American government"--Publisher Born out of wedlock on a small island in the West Indies and orphaned as a teenager, Alexander Hamilton nonetheless rose to a position of power and...

"Pura Belpre Honor winner for The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano and one of America's most influential Hispanics--'Maria' on Sesame Street--delivers a beautifully wrought coming-of-age memoir. Set in the 1950s in the Bronx, this is the story of a girl with a dream. Emmy award-winning actress and writer Sonia Manzano plunges us into the daily lives of a Latino family that is loving--and troubled. This is Sonia's own story rendered with an unforgettable...

Brad was inspired by the birth of his first son to curate this collection. The fifty-two featured figures represent the spectacular potential we all have within us to change the world. The format allows for reading straight through or at your own pace, and includes photos, quotes, brief biographies, and vignettes that highlight the single moment that made each person great. The heroes included in the book are men, women, historical, contemporary,...