Showing titles in Biographical Fiction

Jeska doesn't know why her mother keeps the curtains drawn so tightly every day. And what exactly is she trying to drown out when she floods the house with Mozart? What are they hiding from? When Jeska's grandmother accidentally calls her by a stranger's name, she seizes her first clue to uncovering her family's past, and hopefully to all that's gone unsaid. With the help of an old family photo album, her father's encyclopedia collection, and the unquestioning friendship of a stray cat, the silence begins to melt into frightening clarity.

Since it first appeared in 1913, Pollyanna has become an enduring favorite with children. The tale of an orphan who maintains a strongly positive view of the world despite adversity has a strong affect on listeners of all ages, even in the 21st century - and especially when read with such warmth by Laura Lefkow.

Jean’s world is turned upside down when he meets the Django. His new friend is so much fun and things are always exciting when the Django is around. But there’s only one problem - ever since they met, Jean has found himself in heaps of trouble. What should Jean do? He doesn’t want to send his special pal away, but he can’t keep getting in trouble either. Finally Jean makes up his mind and does what he must: He sends the Django on his way. Soon Jean misses all the joy and crazy antics. Will he ever feel close to the Django again?

Berlin is where Anna lived before Hitler, when she was still a German child; before she spoke a word of English, before her family had all become refugees. Long before her happy new existence in London. But Mama is there, dangerously ill. Anna is forced to go back, to deal with questions of life and death, to face old fears, and to discover the past which she has so long shut away.

Charles habite en Écosse, chez sa cousine, l'abominable madame Mac Miche, qui le prive de tout et le punit sans arrêt. Charles résiste, et avec l'aide de Betty, la bonne, trouve toujours de bonnes astuces pour se venger ! Il paraît qu'à la pension Old Nick, où madame Mac Miche le fait alors enfermer, on rit encore des tours qu'il a joués au directeur et aux maîtres.

Junko is bad at athletics. Really bad. She struggles in gym class and on short hikes. Other students laugh because they think she is small and weak. In fourth grade, her teacher Watanabe-Sensei takes her class on a trip to a mountain. It's bigger than any Junko's ever seen, and she's determined to make it to the top. After the trip, Junko becomes a mountaineer in body and spirit.

Ten-year-old Solo just wants to be normal. He wants a name that doesn't stand out. He wishes he had a proper school uniform that fitted him. He dreams about a mum who doesn't get the Big Bad Reds. But most of all he longs to stop crashing funerals for the free food. But when Solo and Morag crash the funeral of a celebrity and get caught, the press are there to witness their humiliation. The next day it's splashed across the papers. Before Solo knows it, he becomes a viral sensation, and life may never be normal again.

Wish you could travel the States while solving mysteries? You can with the Kingston family. When the Kingston family finds themselves traveling the United States for the school year, nine-year-old Logan is less than pleased. He doesn’t mind sharing an outdated RV with his twin sister, Lucy, but he might go crazy if he has to hear his genius, younger brother mentions scientific theories one more time. Life quickly gets exciting when the family stops in Ohio for the week only to be dognapped by Bigfoot. Join the Kingston kids as they save their dog and avoid getting eaten by mythical ...

The author of over 200 books, Caldecott Medal winner Jane Yolen is beloved for her delightful children's stories. This Junior Library Guild Selection chronicles the life of Danish poet Hans Christian Andersen. Growing up poor, Hans struggles to bring his artistic vision to the world. In time, he became world-renowned, most especially for the wondrous fairy tales he so vividly imagined.

After a rough start, Sam Kerr settles into playing soccer for the Knights. But there’s so much to learn – new rules and positions and strategies.... Lately, it seems like soccer is the only thing she can think about.

It's not easy growing up as an only child in the only funeral home in town, especially when your parents suck every dime out of every living and dead soul that comes through the door. Kids at school think I'm creepy, unclean—okay, that's kind of my fault, but hey, it was an accident. Lesson learned: never give a girl a tour of the crematory and prep-room when Mom and Dad are gone, no matter what she promises.

Sam Kerr is an Aussie Rules fan through and through. When she’s excluded from her team she doesn’t know what to do. Netball? No thanks. Chess? Bleugh. Her best friends Dylan and Indi think she should flip from Aussie Rules to soccer – and it doesn’t seem so bad at first. The coach is okay. The team seems nice enough.... But with Chelsea the school bully on her case and the pressure of learning new rules weighing her down, will it all be too much? Will Sam give up – or will she make the flip?

When she grew up, she became Harriet Tubman, the courageous and heroic woman who helped hundreds of slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad. But she was just a little girl for a while - and this is her story. Minty, short for Araminta, was a feisty and headstrong young slave whose rebellious spirit often got her into trouble. She told stories to her doll, released animals from traps, and above all, dreamed of running away. When her father began to teach her the skills necessary for escape, she listened carefully and learned....

This Splash Read collection includes 19 historical fiction short stories about US Presidents. While Splash Read stories are enjoyed by kids of all ages, they were written to facilitate a conversation between a child and parent, or student and teacher. Each story introduces an influential person from history. Stories discuss life skills, challenges, problem-solving, and important issues.

Alicia Alonso was born to dance. Her first big role came when she was only 10 years old, and she knew right then that she was going to be a ballerina one day. Only a few years later, she moved from Cuba to the United States to fulfill her dreams. As she danced, however, Alicia began to have trouble seeing. She was quickly going blind. How could a ballerina dance on stage if she couldn't see where she was going? Alicia worried. But she wouldn't let it stop her.

Winner of a 2015 Academic's Choice Award, here is a children's book that will help guide and inspire kids to reach their full potential. Temple Did It, and I Can Too! explains the obstacles Dr. Temple Grandin faced while growing up, then gives the rules she followed to overcome them and become a leading animal scientist.

Stevie Tenderheart Billy Jack: The Great Escape is a fun ride through the mind of a nine-year-old as he makes his own rules. Based on a true story, Billy Jack hatches a plan to shift his stars.

Melvin is an imaginative and noisy little boy who grows up to be Mel Blanc, Looney Tunes cartoon character pioneer and the voice behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Woody Woodpecker, the Tasmanian Devil, and so many more familiar personalities. Listeners are treated to a typical day for young Melvin, when ordinary tasks like getting ready for school, riding the bus, and completing his chores are charged with sound effects and accompanied by his own personal soundtrack.

This is your one chance. You have your secret dreams. Follow them! Make them come true ...In a poor village in northern China, a small boy is about to be taken away from everything he's ever known. He is so afraid, but his mother urges him to follow his dreams. For soon he will become a dancer, one of the finest dancers in the world...So begins The Peasant Prince, the true story of Li Cunxin's extraordinary life.

Travel back in time to the boyhood of one of the most popular poets of the early 20th century. Author of "Little Orphan Annie", "The Old Swimmin' Hole", and hundreds more poems, "Bud" Riley spent his childhood in mid-nineteenth century Indiana, where stagecoaches were a common sight, rope swings were the only thrill rides, and telling spooky stories by firelight was the best entertainment of all.