Books with author Jeri Chase Ferris

Through howling snowstorms and over treacherous sheets of ice, Matthew Henson and Robert Peary raced against other explorers and death itself to be the first to reach the North Pole. After six expeditions and eighteen years, they finally planted the American flag at the top of the world on April 6, 1909. Because he was a black man, Henson had to start out as Peary's servant. But with his intelligence, bravery, and resourcefulness, Matthew Henson soon became Peary's chief assistant.

Dr. H. Viscount Nelson, Jr., a Historian and Author on African-American Culture at UCLA, said, "Excellent. This book is riveting; impossible to put down." It is categorized as "juvenile literature" but no reading level is cited in the book; my assessment would be that it's of middle school level, but especially comprehensive and it would certainly not insult the intelligence of an adult reader at all. From the Library of Congress Publication Data: "A biography that describes the love of books and learning as well as the personal life and political career of the third president of the United States." The book's dimensions are approximately 9" x 7" x 3/8". It is complete with footnotes, index, and bibliography. There are black and white photographs and illustrations throughout, largely reproduced through the courtesy of the National Archives. I find this book to be engaging reading for both enjoyment and historical research.

Born a slave in Georgia in 1818, Bridget "Biddy" Mason learned to survive in a harsh world. Taken from her parents as a young child, Biddy grew up to be self-reliant and hard working. When she and her children finally found freedom in California in 1855, she turned her nursing skills into a successful career as a midwife. Even after she became a wealthy landowner in Los Angeles, Biddy never forgot her basic philosophy of sharing with others: "The open hand is blessed," she always said, "for it gives in abundance, even as it receives."

Mary Ann Shadd Cary spent her entire lifetime fighting for justice and equality for African Americans. Born a free African American in the 1820s, Cary started schools for black children and wrote books and articles. She was also the first black woman to publish a weekly newspaper and to enter law school. Never afraid of offending anyone, Cary demanded justice for herself and for her fellow African Americans.

Born a slave in Georgia in 1818, Bridget "Biddy" Mason learned to survive in a harsh world. Taken from her parents as a young child, Biddy grew up to be self-reliant and hard working. When she and her children finally found freedom in California in 1855, she turned her nursing skills into a successful career as a midwife. Even after she became a wealthy landowner in Los Angeles, Biddy never forgot her basic philosophy of sharing with others: "The open hand is blessed," she always said, "for it gives in abundance, even as it receives."