Books with author Frances Schoonmaker Bolin

See the beauty and magic of the everyday world through the eyes of Emily Dickinson, one of America’s best-loved and most renowned poets. Flowers, birds, sunrises, sunsets, the moon, and even her own existence take on surprising meanings and colorful illustrations accompany more than thirty-five of her best-loved poems. An ideal way to introduce young readers to the marvels of prose, the Poetry for Young People series opens up the world of wonderful word images by pairing classic verses with beautiful illustrations, and by providing helpful definitions and commentary.

It had been quiet along the Santa Fe Trail for more than a year when the Stokes Company set out for California, the Willis family among them. A reluctant traveler, young Grace Willis longs for her fortunate, safe, and comfortable life at home. Just as she is learning to negotiate life in a wagon-train, Grace is kidnapped by fellow travelers and taken into Oklahoma Territory. She must decide if she will cave in to despair or muster the courage to run away and search for her parents. Grace finds help in unlikely places. She discovers that there really is such a thing as magic, and there are some things only a child can do.

Now beautifully redesigned, this Poetry for Young People collection brings us into the world of Emily Dickinson, where even the most ordinary things can turn magical. In addition to a brief biography of Dickinson, more than 35 much-loved poems include “I'm nobody, who are you?” and “I started early, took my dog." Superb, yet always child-friendly, images make this a volume not to be missed.

Travel around the United States with Carl Sandburg, the twentieth-century poet who has been called the voice of America. Visit rural back roads and busy cities, and meet friendly animals and ordinary people going about their daily lives. More than thirty of his wonderful poems are presented here, along with illustrations that capture the spirit of his words.

When they board the L.A. bound Santa Fe Chief in Kansas City, the Harrison kids have never heard of the Last Crystal or the magic surrounding it. Worried about their father, who has been injured in World War II, they dread a summer with their boring, old Uncle James. But before the train is half way to L.A., J.D., Mary Carol, Robert, and Grace have crossed paths with a Nazi spy and one of the four has been kidnapped. Then, without warning, they find themselves off the train, drawn into a quest for the Crystal. To get home again, they must cross two thousand miles of wilderness and find the Crystal, with nothing to guide them but their wits, each other, and an old map that only the youngest can read.Winner of 2019 Agatha Award for Best Middle Grade/Young Adult Mystery

Features more than 35 of Dickinson's best loved poems, including "I'm nobody, who are you?" and "I started early, took my dog." "The choice of...Emily Dickinson is a good one....Chi Chung's illustrations...are precise and sometimes whimsical....Attractive and inviting....will give young readers something special."--Quill & Quire. "Bolin's four-page introduction describes and explains Emily Dickinson's odd life style and creative productivity....prettily colored watercolors."--LJ. "...footnotes glossing antiquated diction are well-handled and the precis on Dickinson's church-hymnal metric is a model of its kind."--Washington Post. ". . . shot through with magical charm and graceful beauty . . ."--Buzz Weekly. 48 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.

It had been quiet along the Santa Fe Trail for more than a year when the Stokes Company set out for California, the Willis family among them. A reluctant traveler, young Grace Willis longs for her fortunate, safe, and comfortable life at home. Just as she is learning to negotiate life in a wagon-train, Grace is kidnapped by fellow travellers and taken into Oklahoma Territory. She must decide if she will cave in to despair or muster the courage to run away and search for her parents. Grace finds help in unlikely places. She discovers that there really is such a thing as magic, and there are some things only a child can do.

When they board the L.A. bound Santa Fe Chief in Kansas City, the Harrison kids have never heard of the Last Crystal or the magic surrounding it. Worried about their father, who has been injured in World War II, they dread a summer with their boring, old Uncle James. But before the train is half way to L.A., J.D., Mary Carol, Robert, and Grace have crossed paths with a Nazi spy and one of the four has been kidnapped. Then, without warning, they find themselves off the train, drawn into a quest for the Crystal. To get home again, they must cross two thousand miles of wilderness and find the Crystal, with nothing to guide them but their wits, each other, and an old map that only the youngest can read. Winner of 2019 Agatha Award for Best Middle Grade/Young Adult Mystery

When their father is critically wounded in World War II, the four Harrison children take the famous Santa Fe Chief to stay with an uncle in California. Worried about their father and less than enthusiastic about a summer with their boring uncle, the four soon discover that this is no ordinary train trip. In rushing to get off of the train, a passenger whom they have barely met asks them to deliver a message to someone they will meet at one of the train stops-a message critical to the allied effort. Then, by accident, they blunder into a private car where they meet the beautiful and mysterious Celeste. She shows an usual interest in the youngest, Grace. When the train breaks down in the desert, Celeste lures them to her car. Her plans become clear. She wants to send Grace on a quest to find a crystal holding water from the beginning of time, water set aside for the healing of the earth. Celeste says it will heal their father, but they suspect that she wants it for herself. In trying to escape her, they leap from the train only to discover themselves in the prehistoric West. Their only hope of return is to find the crystal. But to do so, they have to cross thousands of miles of wilderness. They have nothing but each other, their wits, and a map than only Grace can read.

"Well-written, engaging introduction...illuminates Millay's personal history and writing...luminous, evocative watercolors...A noteworthy addition to the poetry shelf...both informs and intrigues."--Booklist. "Luminous, elegant illustrations bring these complex and insightful verses to life...all are fresh and alive and will draw readers into the book."--School Library Journal. "A good assortment of Millay's poetry."--Kirkus. "The watercolor artwork creates atmospheric settings for her words."--Publishers Weekly.

It had been quiet along the Santa Fe Trail for more than a year when the Stokes Company set out for California, the Willis family among them. A reluctant traveler, young Grace Willis longs for her fortunate, safe, and comfortable life at home. Just as she is learning to negotiate life in a wagon-train, Grace is kidnapped by fellow travellers and taken into Oklahoma Territory. She must decide if she will cave in to despair or muster the courage to run away and search for her parents. Grace finds help in unlikely places. She discovers that there really is such a thing as magic, and there are some things only a child can do.

"The surrealistic illustrations, which appear to be rendered in pastels, are appealing; the soft edges and warm tones work well with Sandburg's imaginery."--SLJ. "The full-color illustrations are nothing short of breathtaking."--Parents. "...displays the range of everyday topics in which Sandburg found beauty, humor, or pathos....Unfamiliar words are helpfully defined in footnotes...and an introductory biographical essay establishes a context for the poems. Arcella makes a grand debut; his intensely colored sculptural forms, carved from dramatic shadows, have a distinctly '30s look to them...."--Kirkus Reviews. 48 pages (all in color), 8 1/2 x 10.