Books with author Erica M. Elliott

For thirteen–year–old Nathaniel, an indentured servant in colonial Virginia, life is hard. Though things improve with the help of a kind master named Basil–who shares music, books, and philosophies on equality–around him the climate is heating up. It's 1775 and colonists are enraged by England's taxation. Patrick Henry's words "give me liberty, or give me death" become the sounding call and the American Revolution is about to errupt. Nathaniel and Basil must make a choice about joining the fight and face a larger conundrum about the true meaning of liberty. L. M. Elliott crafts a stirring narrative for middle grade readers–conveying the hopes and dilemmas of this crucial era in American history.

[Young Adult Historical Fiction (Ages 12-17)][Read by Elizabeth Wiley]This suspenseful and relatable novel by award-winning New York Times bestselling author L. M. Elliott breathes new life into a troubling chapter of our history.It's 1953, and the United States has just executed an American couple convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. Everyone is on edge as the cold war standoff between communism and democracy leads to the rise of Senator Joe McCarthy and his zealous hunt for people he calls subversives or communist sympathizers. Suspicion, loyalty oaths, blacklists, political profiling, hostility to foreigners, and the assumption of guilt by association divide the nation. Richard and his family believe deeply in American values and love of country, especially since Richard's father works for the FBI. Yet when a family from Czechoslovakia moves in down the street with a son Richard's age named Vlad, their bold ideas about art and politics bring everything into question.Richard is quickly drawn to Vlad's confidence, musical sensibilities, and passion for literature, which he shares. But as the nation's paranoia spirals out of control, Richard longs to prove himself a patriot, and blurred lines between friend and foe could lead to a betrayal that destroys lives.

[Young Adult Historical Fiction (Ages 12-17)][Read by Elizabeth Wiley]This suspenseful and relatable novel by award-winning New York Times bestselling author L. M. Elliott breathes new life into a troubling chapter of our history.It's 1953, and the United States has just executed an American couple convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. Everyone is on edge as the cold war standoff between communism and democracy leads to the rise of Senator Joe McCarthy and his zealous hunt for people he calls subversives or communist sympathizers. Suspicion, loyalty oaths, blacklists, political profiling, hostility to foreigners, and the assumption of guilt by association divide the nation. Richard and his family believe deeply in American values and love of country, especially since Richard's father works for the FBI. Yet when a family from Czechoslovakia moves in down the street with a son Richard's age named Vlad, their bold ideas about art and politics bring everything into question.Richard is quickly drawn to Vlad's confidence, musical sensibilities, and passion for literature, which he shares. But as the nation's paranoia spirals out of control, Richard longs to prove himself a patriot, and blurred lines between friend and foe could lead to a betrayal that destroys lives.

When Henry Forester is shot down during a bombing run over France, the World War II pilot finds himself trapped behind enemy lines. In constant danger of discovery by German soldiers, Henry begins a remarkable journey to greedom. Relying on the kind ness of strangers, Henry moves from town to town--traveling by moonlight, never asking questions, or even the names of the people who help him along the way. Through his journey, Henry gains an understanding of the French and their struggle; and of his own place in a war that will change the face of Europe forever.

Galena, finding herself restored to full health, heads out on the second part of her journey to recover the Sword of Lumina from a cave Mira designed to protect the famous blade. Heading toward the Western woods, she discovers how to use her magical powers now that she has no restraints. Galena has to re-learn how to fight and live on a daily basis, using magic that she has had very little access to before now. Together with Elenio and Tark, they meet new friends and visit new villages, until Tark decides to stay behind and train an army of elves for the upcoming war against Rau. Will Galena be able to face the fears she didn't know she had and retrieve the sword? Or will she die in the cave that was designed to be the greatest challenge for Mira's only hope?

Thirteen-year-old Nathaniel Dunn is an indentured servant in colonial Virginia. Life is hard, and it's about to get harder when Nathaniel is sold. But in a twist of luck, he meets Basil, a kind, elderly schoolmaster. An arrangement is struck lending Nathaniel's labor to a Williamsburg carriage maker with strong loyalist ties in a town increasingly led by patriots such as Thomas Jefferson. Basil introduces Nathaniel to music, books, and philosophies that open his mind and heart to daring new attitudes on equality. The year is 1775. Colonists are enraged by England's taxation. When Virginia organizes a protest embargo of British goods, patriots and loyalists clash. Soon Patrick Henry's impassioned words "give me liberty, or give me death" become the sounding call. Should Nathaniel and Basil join the fight? And what is the meaning of "liberty" in a country that depends on indentured servants and slaves? Nathaniel grapples with the choices a dawning nation lays before him and the possibility of facing his closest friend in battle as the American Revolution explodes in Virginia. L. M. Elliott's gripping account captures the hopes and dilemmas of a boy caught up in this crucial turning point in American history.

In a world ruled by the dark, what would you do to see the light again? Galena is just like every other elf, enslaved by the powerful Rau. Once a beautiful and powerful race, the elves have been reduced to slave labor in the mines of Rau. Galena grew up hearing the stories of old about a sword, when wielded by the right elf, ending Rau's tyranny. Unsure if she believes these stories, she finds herself plunged into a world unfamiliar to her, hunted by Rau for her unnatural magical abilities. Will she find the sword promised to her people? Or will she fall prey to the idea of a sword that doesn't exist?

March 1945 World War II may be ending, but for nineteen-year-old pilot Henry Forester the conflict still rages. Shot down behind enemy lines in France, Henry endured a dangerous trek to freedom, relying on the heroism of civilians and Resistance fighters to stay alive. But back home in Virginia, Henry is still reliving air battles with Hitler's Luftwaffe and his torture by the Gestapo. Mostly, Henry can't stop worrying about the safety of those who helped him escape—especially one French boy, Pierre, who, because of Henry, may have lost everything. When Henry returns to France to find Pierre, he is stunned by the brutal after-math of combat: starvation, cities shattered by Allied bombing, and the shocking return of concentration camp survivors. Amid the rubble of war, Henry must begin a daring search for a lost boy—plus a fight to regain his own internal peace and the trust of the girl he loves. L. M. Elliott's sequel to Under a War-Torn Sky is an astonishing account of surviving the fallout from war.

[Young Adult Fiction (Ages 12-17)]The young and beautiful daughter of a wealthy family, Ginevra longs to participate in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence but is trapped in an arranged marriage in a society dictated by men. The arrival of the charismatic Bernardo Bembo introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers. Bembo chooses Ginevra as his Platonic muse and commissions a portrait of her by Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them, one Ginevra only begins to understand. In a rich and vivid world of exquisite art, Ginevra faces many challenges to discover her artistic companionship-- and to find love.

Bank Street College Best Book of the Year (Historical Fiction, 2019)Drawing from historical journals and letters, New York Times bestselling author Laura Elliot weaves a richly detailed tale about the extraordinary Peggy Schuyler and her revolutionary friendship with Alexander Hamilton. Perfect for fans of the smash Broadway musical sensation Hamilton.Peggy Schuyler has always felt like she s existed in the shadows of her beloved sisters: the fiery, intelligent Angelica and beautiful, sweet Eliza. But it s in the throes of a chaotic war that Peggy finds herself a central figure amid Loyalists and Patriots, spies and traitors, friends and family. When a flirtatious aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton, writes to Peggy asking for her help in wooing the earnest Eliza, Peggy finds herself unable to deny such an impassioned plea. A fast friendship forms between the two, but Alexander is caught in the same war as her father, and the danger to all their lives is real.Everything is a battlefield from the frontlines to their carefully coded letters but will Peggy s bravery s and intelligence be enough to keep them all safe?*2018 Grateful American Book Prize Honorable Mention*

Ding-How and Ah-So hopped on the Magic Wheel and began to run as fast as they could. As they did so, the wheel slowly began to turn, gradually gaining speed with each turn. "Faster" Ding-How urged. "We must run faster" The two little friends strained with all their might to increase their speed. At last the Magic Wheel was spinning very fast. "Hold on tight, Mi-Tu" Ding-How shouted. "Don't let go" By now the wheel was spinning wildly, and everything became a blur. There was a great rushing of air, and suddenly, the Magic Wheel disappeared! What just happened? And where were Ding-How, Ah-So, and Mi-Tu? Have you ever wondered what your pets do when you're away at school or hanging out with your friends? You just might be surprised if you knew about their secret lives! In this fantasy, you will discover what a pet hamster, white mouse, and Siamese cat do while their human children are at school. Meet Ding-How, a very wise hamster; Ah-So, a mischievous little mouse; and Mi-Tu, a most dignified and brave cat. Follow their Magic Wheel into adventure, danger, and discovery. Each new adventure challenges them to work together in order to solve their predicament. In the process, they soon realize how much they depend on each other. Laugh at their encounters with a seagull and a giant nutcracker. Feel the heat of a volcano, and look with them at the awesome dancing lights in the dark northern sky. Marvel with Ding-How, Ah-So, and Mi-Tu as they discover the wonders of the Great Creator, who made the heavens and the Earth. Join them, as they journey to Bethlehem, where they learn the true meaning of Christmas. Come along! Don't delay! Travel with them on their wonderful Magic Wheel of adventure and discovery!