Books with author Jim Murphy

Two-time Newbery Honor Book author Jim Murphy writes a stunning nonfiction masterpiece about a Christmas miracle on the Western Front during World War I.On July 29th 1914, the world's peace was shattered as the artillery of the Austria-Hungary Empire began shelling the troops of the country to its south. What followed was like a row of falling dominoes as one European country after another rushed into war. Soon most of Europe was fighting in this calamitous war that could have been avoided. This was, of course, the First World War. But who could have guessed that on December 25 the troops would openly defy their commanding officers by stopping the fighting and having a spontaneous celebration of Christmas with their "enemies"?

A hat that can tip itself. A suitcase that opens and turns into a bathtub. A pair of protective eyeglasses for chickens. These are just three of the hundreds of unusual inventions that people have dreamed up over the last two centuries. Some, such as the mustache guard, made perfect sense when they first appeared. Others were considered just plain silly. Jim Murphy has compiled a collection of the weirdest and wackiest inventions and presented them in a quiz that is challenging and fun.Simple, clear explanations are provided on how the inventions worked or failed to work. Now for the first time in paperback, and chock-full of nearly one hundred color illustrations of these crazy creations, this is the perfect gift for any child interested in science and invention.

Catch up on Mildred Hubble’s magical adventures at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches with these reissued editions featuring energetic new covers.Mildred Hubble is determined that her third year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches will be her best. And when the horrible Miss Hardbroom is replaced by a new teacher, things finally seem to be going Mildred’s way. But the new teacher is very strange. . . .

It is 1776, and George Washington and his army of rebellious American colonists are emboldened by its stunning victories over the British at Lexington and Concord. But now, the Americans face the threat of a brutal British retaliation. George Washington, who has little experience with a threat of this magnitude, is unanimously chosen as commander in chief in hopes he can unite the colonies. Britain's army is massive and well trained. America's is small and unruly. As the British begin their invasion of New York City and its environs, George Washington isn't the only one who is overcome with doubts that he can succeed against such overwhelming odds.In this breathtaking account of a pivotal time in the American Revolution, two-time Newbery Honor Book author Jim Murphy shows George Washington's transformation from a gentleman farmer with little military experience to a brilliant general, as he delivers the country from the blackest of times -- into the brightest of futures.

FIRST PRIZE FOR THE WORST WITCH is the 8th book in the Worst Witch series written and illustrated by Jill Murphy.Accident-prone Mildred Hubble is the Worst Witch at Miss Cackle's Academy. She's always getting her spells wrong and landing herself in trouble. But Mildred is now in the Fourth Year and determined to prove that she's not as useless as everyone thinks - could it be First Prize for the worst witch after all?Jill Murphy started putting books together (literally with a stapler), when she was six. The Worst Witch was first published in 1974 and this much-loved classic has been enjoyed by readers for more than 30 years. Jill Murphy also written and illustrated several award-winning picture books for younger children.The series includes: The Worst Witch, A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch, The Worst Witch All at Sea, The Worst Witch Saves the Day and The Worst Witch to the Rescue and The Worst Witch and the Wishing Star.

In 1944, a groundbreaking operation repaired the congenital heart defect known as blue baby syndrome. The operation’s success brought the surgeon Alfred Blalock international fame and paved the way for open-heart surgery. But the technique had been painstakingly developed by Vivien Thomas, Blalock’s African American lab assistant, who stood behind Blalock in the operating room to give him step-by-step instructions. The stories of this medical and social breakthrough and the lives of Thomas, Blalock, and their colleague Dr. Helen Taussig are intertwined in this compelling nonfiction narrative.