Books with author Mel Elliott

March 1945 World War II may be ending, but for nineteen-year-old pilot Henry Forester the conflict still rages. Shot down behind enemy lines in France, Henry endured a dangerous trek to freedom, relying on the heroism of civilians and Resistance fighters to stay alive. But back home in Virginia, Henry is still reliving air battles with Hitler's Luftwaffe and his torture by the Gestapo. Mostly, Henry can't stop worrying about the safety of those who helped him escape—especially one French boy, Pierre, who, because of Henry, may have lost everything. When Henry returns to France to find Pierre, he is stunned by the brutal after-math of combat: starvation, cities shattered by Allied bombing, and the shocking return of concentration camp survivors. Amid the rubble of war, Henry must begin a daring search for a lost boy—plus a fight to regain his own internal peace and the trust of the girl he loves. L. M. Elliott's sequel to Under a War-Torn Sky is an astonishing account of surviving the fallout from war.

[Young Adult Fiction (Ages 12-17)]The young and beautiful daughter of a wealthy family, Ginevra longs to participate in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence but is trapped in an arranged marriage in a society dictated by men. The arrival of the charismatic Bernardo Bembo introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers. Bembo chooses Ginevra as his Platonic muse and commissions a portrait of her by Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them, one Ginevra only begins to understand. In a rich and vivid world of exquisite art, Ginevra faces many challenges to discover her artistic companionship-- and to find love.

Bank Street College Best Book of the Year (Historical Fiction, 2019)Drawing from historical journals and letters, New York Times bestselling author Laura Elliot weaves a richly detailed tale about the extraordinary Peggy Schuyler and her revolutionary friendship with Alexander Hamilton. Perfect for fans of the smash Broadway musical sensation Hamilton.Peggy Schuyler has always felt like she s existed in the shadows of her beloved sisters: the fiery, intelligent Angelica and beautiful, sweet Eliza. But it s in the throes of a chaotic war that Peggy finds herself a central figure amid Loyalists and Patriots, spies and traitors, friends and family. When a flirtatious aide-de-camp, Alexander Hamilton, writes to Peggy asking for her help in wooing the earnest Eliza, Peggy finds herself unable to deny such an impassioned plea. A fast friendship forms between the two, but Alexander is caught in the same war as her father, and the danger to all their lives is real.Everything is a battlefield from the frontlines to their carefully coded letters but will Peggy s bravery s and intelligence be enough to keep them all safe?*2018 Grateful American Book Prize Honorable Mention*

Ding-How and Ah-So hopped on the Magic Wheel and began to run as fast as they could. As they did so, the wheel slowly began to turn, gradually gaining speed with each turn. "Faster" Ding-How urged. "We must run faster" The two little friends strained with all their might to increase their speed. At last the Magic Wheel was spinning very fast. "Hold on tight, Mi-Tu" Ding-How shouted. "Don't let go" By now the wheel was spinning wildly, and everything became a blur. There was a great rushing of air, and suddenly, the Magic Wheel disappeared! What just happened? And where were Ding-How, Ah-So, and Mi-Tu? Have you ever wondered what your pets do when you're away at school or hanging out with your friends? You just might be surprised if you knew about their secret lives! In this fantasy, you will discover what a pet hamster, white mouse, and Siamese cat do while their human children are at school. Meet Ding-How, a very wise hamster; Ah-So, a mischievous little mouse; and Mi-Tu, a most dignified and brave cat. Follow their Magic Wheel into adventure, danger, and discovery. Each new adventure challenges them to work together in order to solve their predicament. In the process, they soon realize how much they depend on each other. Laugh at their encounters with a seagull and a giant nutcracker. Feel the heat of a volcano, and look with them at the awesome dancing lights in the dark northern sky. Marvel with Ding-How, Ah-So, and Mi-Tu as they discover the wonders of the Great Creator, who made the heavens and the Earth. Join them, as they journey to Bethlehem, where they learn the true meaning of Christmas. Come along! Don't delay! Travel with them on their wonderful Magic Wheel of adventure and discovery!

The civil war has broken out, and Annie Sinclair's Virginia home, Hickory Heights, is right in the line of battle. Caught up in the rising conflict, Annie and her mother tend to wounded soldiers while Annie's older brother, Laurence, enlists in the Confederate cavalry under Jeb Stuart. Even Annie's rambunctious baby brother, Jamie, joins John Mosby, the notorious "Gray Ghost." Faced with invading armies, Annie is compelled into a riskier role to protect her family and farm. She conceals Confederate soldiers and warns Southern commanders of Union traps, and the flamboyant Jeb Stuart dubs her "Lady Liberty."Annie's loyalty is clear until a wounded Union officer is dragged onto her porch. Saved from a bullet by a volume of Keats' poetry he keeps in his pocket, Thomas Walker startles Annie with his love of verse. After several chance encounters, Annie is surprised by her growing interest in the dark-eyed Northerner as they connect through a shared passion for poetry.As the war rages on, Annie begins to question some of the values driving Virginia's involvement. Then tragedy befalls Hickory Heights, and Annie becomes the subject of a shocking accusation. She must confront the largest quandary of all: choosing her own course.L. M. Elliott crafts a stirring novel that carries readers from the Manassas battlefield to fancy-dress balls to the burning of the Shenandoah Valley while capturing the tenacious spirit of a young heroine facing an extraordinary, complex time in American history.