Books with author Mark Cheatham

Tales of little, magical and mischievous people have been around for centuries, including Irish legends of leprechauns and Scandinavian stories of elves and dwarves. The stories of gremlins seem to have their origins in these old myths, but they came to focus during World War II, when airplane pilots began to blame problems with their airplanes on these tiny creatures and their tools. Young readers will enjoy learning more of these magical beings as they read the comic-book styled text and illustrations.

In the summer of 1910, Trudy Cameron witnesses the aftershock of an event that will disturb her for the rest of her life. It is more than the consequences of the crime that concern her. Cruelty dominates the evolving social system of the South, the only home she knows. Manuela Blayne is the story of one suffering for another. Never will she comprehend all the hurt suffered by her friend Manuela, but Trudy wants to understand. She witnesses, firsthand, what forgiveness can be. She observes hardships she has never imagined. Trudy is always honest with herself about her emotions. She speaks about her story from the eyes of a child who has not been poisoned by social constructs of racial inequality. But in a world that denies mercy to her friend, will Trudy’s faith shrink or blossom? In this poignant and gripping novella, a new day dawns for Trudy Cameron. She develops a heightened sensitivity to others around her who endure the hurts brought on by circumstances she tries to influence. Trudy starts to realize she cannot change everything; she cannot fix all the bad in her world. At the same time, she develops a streak of mischief. Sometimes she is shocked by her own behavior. As she grows up fast, she finds emotions within herself she didn't expect. Manuela Blayne is the fourth book in the Covington Chronicles. It is a complete story that stands alone. To understand some of the characters fully, however, it would be beneficial to read The Dream Bucket first. Come spend some time with the Bentons and Camerons. Delight in the parenting skills of Samuel Benton, as he tries to distract Trudy from her anguish over Manuela Blayne. Have a dish of ice cream in the Covington and float on a watermelon in the swimming hole at Hot Coffee. Witness the mischief Trudy dares not confess to her parents.

WOULD YOU RISK YOUR LIFE FOR JUST ONE DAY OF FREEDOM?For hardworking teen, Dee Pageau, the annual employee picnic will let her escape the drudgery of work and possibly find love with her best friend Mae’s older brother, Karel. But in 1915 Chicago, girls don’t go on picnics without their mother’s approval. Unfortunately for Dee, Mama has had a premonition of disaster and forbids Dee from going. Forced to watch as Mae and Karel leave without her, Dee defies Mama and rushes off to join her friends. But Dee’s joy soon turns to terror when the ship ferrying them to the picnic capsizes. Rescued not once but twice-by Karel and a mysterious sailor-Dee finds herself tested in unimaginable ways. What happens next turns out to be worse … and better … than anything Dee ever expected.

From Shakespeare to Disney, cauldron-swirling, broomstick-riding witches have terrified and captivated people for centuries. This wickedly fascinating book will cast a spell that engages even the most reluctant readers. They will learn both facts and famous fictions, as well as the tale of the Witch of Pongo inside this enthralling look into the world of the supernatural.

From Shakespeare to Disney, cauldron-swirling, broomstick-riding witches have terrified and captivated people for centuries. This wickedly fascinating book will cast a spell that engages even the most reluctant readers. They will learn both facts and famous fictions, as well as the tale of the Witch of Pongo inside this enthralling look into the world of the supernatural.

Winner of the 2013 Tennessee History AwardMany Americans view Andrew Jackson as a frontiersman who fought duels, killed Indians, and stole another man's wife. Historians have traditionally presented Jackson as a man who struggled to overcome the obstacles of his backwoods upbringing and helped create a more democratic United States. In his compelling new biography of Jackson, Mark R. Cheathem argues for a reassessment of these long-held views, suggesting that in fact "Old Hickory" lived as an elite southern gentleman. Jackson grew up along the border between North Carolina and South Carolina, a district tied to Charleston, where the city's gentry engaged in the transatlantic marketplace. Jackson then moved to North Carolina, where he joined various political and kinship networks that provided him with entree into society. In fact, Cheathem contends, Jackson had already started to assume the characteristics of a southern gentleman by the time he arrived in Middle Tennessee in 1788.After moving to Nashville, Jackson further ensconced himself in an exclusive social order by marrying the daughter of one of the city's cofounders, engaging in land speculation, and leading the state militia. Cheathem notes that through these ventures Jackson grew to own multiple plantations and cultivated them with the labor of almost two hundred slaves. His status also enabled him to build a military career focused on eradicating the nation's enemies, including Indians residing on land desired by white southerners. Jackson's military success eventually propelled him onto the national political stage in the 1820s, where he won two terms as president. Jackson's years as chief executive demonstrated the complexity of the expectations of elite white southern men, as he earned the approval of many white southerners by continuing to pursue Manifest Destiny and opposing the spread of abolitionism, yet earned their ire because of his efforts to fight nullification and the Second Bank of the United States.By emphasizing Jackson's southern identity -- characterized by violence, honor, kinship, slavery, and Manifest Destiny -- Cheathem's narrative offers a bold new perspective on one of the nineteenth century's most renowned and controversial presidents.

From spooky ghosts to potion-brewing witches and the walking undead, monsters and the legends they inspire will always offer both thrills and chills to readers. Both reluctant readers and those who love to curl up with a good book will be captivated by these graphic retellings of classic monster stories. With an eye toward getting at the truth behind some of these stories, these graphic titles take a unique approach to an exciting, sometimes gruesome, and always spine-tingling genre. Each book also includes a page with lore and legends that will entice readers to explore further. Readers will decide if truth is stranger than fiction as they peek into the realm of the supernatural.

WHEN YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN RUINED BY LIES, DO YOU SEEK JUSTICE ... OR REVENGE? Blythe Messina spends her senior year focused on her studies and college, and not on her ex, Stratford High's lacrosse star, DB Whitmore. At least, that's what Blythe keeps telling herself. But her younger cousin, Bonni, knows otherwise. Same goes for DB, who professes to be over Blythe and their breakup, but his teammates aren’t fooled. When scandalous photos of Bonni and the lacrosse captain are texted around Stratford, Bonni's virtuous reputation is ruined. She pleads innocence, but no one believes her. No one, except Blythe and DB, who come together to uncover the truth. But, will they stay together? Ruined is a modern twist on a classic Shakespearean romance. "Deceit, loyalty, honor, and romance--Ruined has it all! A teen version of Much Ado About Nothing that Shakespeare aficionados are sure to savor!”Kym Brunner, Author of Wanted: Dead or in Love & One Smart Cookie