Books published by publisher Ruby Mountain Press, Ltd.

From the unwelcome prickle of the thistle to the generous shade of the catalpa tree, leaves come in a remarkable and surprising variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Children will be delighted by the fourteen diverse North American plants depicted in Fiddleheads to Fir Trees, from weeping willow and cedar to cattail and poison ivy. The author introduces each plant with a poem and explains its leafy character in a nature note. The plants are organized by season, starting with the tender fiddleheads of a fern in early spring and ending with the snow-dusted needles of the balsam fir. Scientifically trained illustrator Laurie Caple deftly places insects and animals among the foliage in her beautiful watercolors, adding to their visual appeal.

These five captivating tales are real-life stories of animals who made a mark in Alaska history. Young readers will love Stikeen, the little dog who traversed glaciers with famed naturalist John Muir; Mark and Hannah, the intrepid mules who helped Judge James Wickersham attempt to scale Mt. McKinley; and Margie, a feisty malamute who became a mother on an expedition to explore the ancient volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands.?Sumptuously illustrated by award-winning artist Jon Van Zyle and peppered with historical photos, this engaging book will delight readers of all ages. Bonuses include several historical anecdotes and a list of places to visit.

From the award-winning author D. L. ORTON comes book three in the Between Two Evils series... Shannon fights to stay alive inside a rogue biodome and discovers something totally unexpected... Peter. Lani is forced into the role of the reluctant heroine but rediscovers her street-kid mojo and sets out to reclaim everything she's lost. Diego receives another dirty sock (with a note) from the fireball express: The window between universes is closing. If he has any hope of getting back to Iz, he must get to the mountain and fix the time machine before it's too late. What could possibly go wrong?

If someone took everything you live for, how far would you go to get it back?When a faulty time machine deposits Diego at the top of a pine tree, he knows he's in the wrong place—but has no idea he's in the wrong time. Naked and shivering in the chilly mountain air, he attempts to climb down but slips, whacks his head, and falls into oblivion. He wakes up inside a darkened room, crippled and disheartened, and must come to grips with the realization that he is marooned in a bleak alternate future. In this universe, what remains of the human race is trapped inside a handful of aging biodomes. With his mission failed, his world destroyed, and the one woman he loves, dead, he can find no reason to go on living. But Lani, the emotionally scarred doctor who finds him, refuses to let him die, and as Diego heals, their relationship becomes... complicated. He struggles to let go of the past but is unable to get Isabel out of his head—or his heart. Just when it seems he may be able to find some measure of happiness in a world teetering on the edge of extinction...Another note arrives from the future: Isabel is alive—but not for long…

Few things in nature can capture children's attention better than colorful wildflowers. Parents and teachers can make the most of this with Mountain Wildflowers for Young Explorers, a fact-filled and beautifully illustrated guide adults can share with the budding botanists in their lives. Author and artist Sharon Lamar's charming watercolor paintings depict 26 flowers common to Western mountains and valleys, one for each letter of the alphabet. This book is packed with extras. The illustrated glossary helps aspiring naturalists identify plants, a section notes each plant's traditional significance to Native peoples, and an appendix outlines a variety of wildflower activities for kids. This fun and fascinating book is sure to inspire kids and grownups alike to get outside and scour the mountainsides for beautiful buds and blossoms.

In Daughters of Two Nations, Peggy Caravantes tells the life stories of nine Native American women who brought change and unity to two cultures historically at odds. These short but well-researched biographies describe the hardships and triumphs of each of these courageous women as they spoke up, spoke out, and fought their way into history. The stories in this book span centuries, from Mary Musgrove, who used her bilingual skills to help settle the future state of Georgia in the 1700s, to Wilma Mankiller, whose education and leadership ability helped her overcome her tribe�s prejudice against women to become the first female Cherokee chief in 1985. In between are tales of dancers, teachers, storytellers, and activists who made a difference in the world�or, more precisely, in two worlds.Perfect for school or home, Daughters of Two Nations is both a valuable historical resource and an entertaining read for young and old, complete with stunning full-color illustrations by Carolyn Dee Flores.

Homesteading: Settling America’s Heartland describes the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of the brave pioneer families who set out into the unknown to create a home on the vast, desolate grasslands of the Great Plains. The Homestead Act of 1862 offered, practically free, a 160-acre plot to anyone willing to develop it. Hundreds of men, women, and children took advantage of the opportunity to build a home, a farm, and a while new life on the western prairie.The homesteader’s life could be harsh. The Great Plains had few resources, unpredictable weather, and numerous dangers. Nevertheless, many stalwart Americans and immigrants took up the challenge. Many failed, but others survived and eventually thrived, opening the way for generations of Westerners to come.Kids and adults alike will delight in this engaging short history, beautifully illustrated with full-color photographs by William Muñoz

From Natalia Shelikhova, unofficially the first woman governor of Russian Alaska, to the pioneer Iditarod racer Mary Shields, the eleven women portrayed in this engaging book were indeed bold�breaking down barriers of sexism, racism, and political opposition to emerge as heroines of their time. The fourth in Mountain Press�s state-by-state series for teen readers, Bold Women in Alaska History reveals the feminine side of our northernmost state�s storied past. Among the fear-less femmes we meet are Mary Antisarlook, the Reindeer Queen of Sinrock; Elizabeth Peratrovich, an early crusader for Native Alaskan civil rights; and Thelma Buchholdt, the first female Filipino American to serve in the Alaska legislature.Perfect for school or home, this collection of short but informative biographies is both a valuable resource and an entertaining read.

If someone took everything you live for, how far would you go to get it back? When a faulty time machine deposits Diego at the top of a pine tree, he knows he's in the wrong place—but has no idea he's in the wrong time. Naked and shivering in the chilly mountain air, he attempts to climb down, but slips, whacks his head, and falls into oblivion. He wakes up inside a darkened room, crippled and disheartened, and must come to grips with the realization that he is marooned in a bleak alternate future. In this universe, what remains of the human race is trapped inside a handful of aging biodomes. With his mission failed, his world destroyed, and the one woman he loves, dead, he can find no reason to go on living. But Lani, the emotionally scarred doctor who finds him, refuses to let him die, and as Diego heals, their relationship becomes... complicated. He struggles to let go of the past but is unable to get Isabel out of his head—or his heart. Just when it seems he may be able to find some measure of happiness in a world teetering on the edge of extinction... Another note arrives from the future: Isabel is alive—but not for long…