Books with author Jim Murphy

The Great Fire of 1871 was one of most colossal disasters in American history. Overnight, the flourshing city of Chicago was transformed into a smoldering wasteland. The damage was so profound that few people believed the city could ever rise again.By weaving personal accounts of actual survivors together with the carefully researched history of Chicago and the disaster, Jim Murphy constructs a riveting narrative that recreates the event with drama and immediacy. And finally, he reveals how, even in a time of deepest dispair, the human spirit triumphed, as the people of Chicago found the courage and strength to build their city once again.

Texas won its independence from Mexico with the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!” But just what exactly was the Alamo, and what happened there to change the history of the United States? This is a comprehensive look at that famous siege as well as its background and consequences. It provides profiles of the famous men who died there, many quotes from contemporary witnesses (including entries from the memoirs and diaries of Mexican soldiers), fascinating details about everything from the weaponry of the time to the fate of the women and children who followed the Mexican army north, and a rousing description of the final battle–all copiously illustrated with paintings, photos, maps, diagrams, and more. This is history at its vivid and exciting best.

The Civil War JOURNAL OF JAMES EDMOND PEASE is now in paperback with an exciting repackaging!Ignorant to the bitter realities of military life, 16-year-old James enlists in the Union Army at the dawn of the Civil War. When his lieutenant assigns him to be the company historian of the G Company of the 122nd Regiment, New York Volunteers, he is initially at a loss as to what exactly he is supposed to record. As the days pass, James settles into his role, but he cannot take comfort in it. His country is divided by a bloody war, and his unit struggles through the hardships and turmoil. Through his journal entries, James poignantly captures the terror of battle, the drudgery of day-to-day life in the infantry, the loss of comrades, and the disillusionment of a young soldier.

Marion is back in this award-winning family favourite! Marion's granny thinks that he's too old to still have a dummy, but Marion loves his dummy, or 'noo-noo' as he calls it. When his mum tries to throw the all the noo-noos away he hides them down the side of the armchair, in his toys, even in his wellington boots. Marion doesn't care if he gets teased about still having a dummy and he's not giving it up until he wants to! This title is the winner of the Smarties Book Prize 0-5 Years Category, the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the Nottingham Children's Book Award. This is also published this month: "All for One" by Jill Murphy.

A Bad Spell for the Worst Witch is the 3rd title in the Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy, the original story of a magical boarding school, perfect for readers aged 5 -9. Lovable but disaster-prone Mildred Hubble is possibly the worst witch ever to go to Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches . . .A new term spells disaster for Mildred!After a disastrous first year, Mildred is determined to lose her embarrassing reputation as the worst witch Miss Cackle's Academy has ever seen - but things rapidly get out of hand when her arch-enemy Ethel turns her into a frog...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.If you'd like to read more of Mildred's disastrous adventures at Miss Cackle's Academy The Worst Witch, The Worst Witch Strikes Again, The Worst Witch All at Sea, The Worst Witch Saves the Day and The Worst Witch to the Rescue are also available from Puffin and are perfect for children aged 5-9.

Celebrate the joys of motherhood with this gorgeous Mother's Day gift edition of the modern picture book classic!Mums everywhere will understand the plight of poor Mrs Large. All she wants is five minutes' peace and quiet away from her boisterous children! So, taking refuge in the bathroom, she fills herself a hot, foamy bubble bath and takes in a tray of her favourite breakfast and the morning paper. But there's never a dull moment with the Large family, and it soon becomes clear that mum's quiet time is to be very short-lived! Family life is beautifully observed in this warm and funny modern classic from Jill Murphy."If you are not familiar with these stories, you really have not lived ... you just couldn't get better" Guardian

Laugh out loud with a story that all toddlers--and their moms!--will know and love!All Mrs. Large wants is five minutes' peace from her energetic children, so she heads to the bathtub for some well-deserved quiet time. But the kids want Mom to join in their fun, so they follow her wherever she goes! With a relatable dilemma and hilarious art, Five Minutes' Peace is a favorite among moms, and this new format will make it the perfect baby gift.

When a 10-foot tall purported "petrified man" is unearthed from a backyard in upstate New York in 1869, the discovery immediately turns into a spectacle of epic proportions. News of the giant spreads like wildfire, and well over a thousand people come to view him in the first five days alone!Everyone has their own idea of his true origin: Is he an ancient member of the local Onandaga Indian tribe? Is he a biblical giant like Goliath? Soon the interests of world-renowned scientists and people from around the globe are piqued as arguments flare over who he is, where he came from, and if he is real--or just a hoax. In a riveting account of how the Cardiff Giant mystery snowballed into one of America’s biggest money-making spectacles--and scams--Jim Murphy masterfully explores the power of 19th-century media and the unexpected ripple effect that a single corrupt mastermind can produce when given a stage.