Books with author Blackwood Gary

Noted author Gary L. Blackwood grew up intrigued by crime fighters. In Bad Guys, the two-time Smithsonian Notable Book Award winner takes a look at the other side. A motley crew of villians, their chronicles are, indeed, fascinating. Yet, Blackwood goes far beyond storytelling. Placing the shenanigans of highwaymen, outlaws, swindlers, gangsters, and pirates against the backdrop of history, he considers them each in terms of the places and times in which the culprits operated. Were they evil cutthroats? Or, were they driven to their deeds out of desperation? In general, readers will find very few Robin Hoods. They will also discover that the reality of many of these men and women lies somewhere between utter scoundrel and social casualty.

How can a pint-sized,self-avowed word nerd master otherworldly forces when she hardly has thewherewithal to master calculus? That's exactly the conundrum for ArielRobinson, who arrives at Montana State University and quickly encounters farmore than the normal share of freshman woes. Siren Song: Book 1 of the Siren Song Trilogy is author B.A.Blackwood's first of three wildly inventive, humor-inflected young adultfantasy novels starring fallen angels who roam the earth, and the unsuspectingwho happen across their high-flying paths.With wit, suspense, and a romance that transcends the human plane, it'sa smart, fantastical foray certain to absorb readers who relish a read that'sequal parts fantastical and downright funny. When Ariel receives the glossy brochure from MontanaState University, the outdoorsy tomboy feels like a lifer who's been shown thesecret escape passage from her parents' Dallas socialite scene. But when shearrives in Bozeman with her trunk load of books and headful of ten-dollarwords, the welcoming committee is far from what she had hoped for. Ariel'sactually been lured into the training grounds of two battling factions of theFallen Angels, who are convinced that she can lead them to the Piece of Home, amysterious, coveted object that will determine who wins their war. All is notlost, however. A ridiculously good-looking senior named Michael seems intent onpopping up everywhere to chaperone her home. While her blonde bombshell roommate Kristin and geekyclassmate Todd insert themselves into their relationship in various vexingways, Ariel is soon initiated into a world of Fallen Angels, including thekindly, patriarchal Achimalech, snooty Daniel, robotic Cyrus, and superstarlawyer Lucian. Can Ariel find the Piece of Home and settle the age-oldscore--and snag a super hot boyfriend in the process?

History’s amazing secrets and codes—and how to crack them yourself. This fascinating look at history’s most mysterious messages is packed with puzzles to decode and ciphers that kids can use themselves. Here are the encrypted notes of Spartan warriors, the brilliant code-crackers of Elizabeth I, secret messages of the American Revolution, spy books of the Civil War, the famous Enigma Machine, and the Navajo code talkers. As computers change the way we communicate, codes today are more intriguing than ever. From invisible ink to the CIA, this exciting trip through history is a hands-on, interactive experience— so get cracking!

High jinks and high adventure fill every page of this exciting, panoramic novel set in Shakespeare's time. Widge, our hero, is a young orphan indentured to a cold, unscrupulous master because the young boy has a special talent--the ability to write a secret shorthand. The master is bent on getting hold of the script of Hamlet at any cost, so it becomes Widge's task to transcribe it--or else. This picaresque tale follows Widge as he hightails his way into the very heart of the Globe Theatre and Shakespeare's company of players. As full of twists as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, drama, and chuckles. Swordplay and wordplay share the stage with pure fun, all of which will keep readers rapt to the final scene.

Long before the Amazing Race television show there was the Great Race—a thrilling true story that will grab readers from the start to the finish line.In February of 1908, six cars from four countries gathered in Times Square for the pistol shot that began the first around-the-world automobile race. Gas-powered cars hadn’t been round very long, and roads were nonexistent as this group of hardy pioneers set out to drive from New York to Paris, hoping to cross the ice of the Bering Strait along the way. The Europeans were sure their cars were superior, but it would be the scrappy Americans in their Thomas Flyer, after braving twenty-foot snowdrifts, bandits, and many near drownings, who would win the race.In a book published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the race, Gary Blackwood, author of well-known historical-fiction novels, crafts a thrilling narrative of great courage and splendid folly, illustrated with original, never-before-published photographs throughout.

Award winners Roddy Doyle and Freya Blackwood team up to create a heartwarming story of loss, love, and what it means to be a family.When Siobhan was just three years old, her mother died, leaving Siobhan and her father alone in their house in Dublin. They never talk about her, and now, at ten years old, Siobhan no longer remembers her mother's face.One day, Siobhan meets a mysterious woman in the park who tells her that to remember her mother, she just needs to look in a mirror. As Siobhan grows older, she sees more and more of her mother's face in her own reflection. With time, she and her father and her own daughter are able to remember Siobhan's mother with joy and laughter instead of tears.