Books in American Legends series

Jim Bowie, known for his famous knife and for his famous demise at the Alamo, lived a life full of adventure. From duels, land speculation schemes, and a hunt for the San Saba silver mines, his life was ready-made to become a legend. Readers will be fascinated by the facts about this American legend. The graphic illustrations lend to the action for a fun ride through history that young readers won't soon forget.

Paul Bunyan is one of America's first true tall tales, literally. It doesn't get much taller than a giant lumberjack with a giant blue ox, however there is some truth behind the stories. There is also a lasting legacy of people who are working under tough conditions, but easing their hearts and minds through enjoying the stories like this. Readers will enjoy this graphic representation that unravels the legend of Paul Bunyan and the truth behind it.

Despite being a slave, Douglass learned to read and write. At age 21, he escaped from slavery and forged a new life for himself as a free man. Intelligent and charismatic, Douglass became the leading voice against slavery in the 1800s. "There is no way a nation can call itself free and accept slavery," said Frederick Douglass. Middle-grade readers and up will respond to Anne Schraff's fresh, lively retelling of Douglass's story.

Benjamin Banneker, born in 1731, was a man ahead of his time. As a free African American in a time of slavery, Banneker was not welcome in white society, and he spent most of his life on his Maryland farm. There he harnessed his keen and curious intellect to teach himself complex mathematics and astronomy. Banneker secured a place in history with his role in surveying the site for the capital city, Washington D.C., and his published almanacs with precise tide calculations and weather predictions. Also, Banneker himself was one of the first African Americans to speak out against slavery. Banneker's accomplishments were used by abolitionists as proof of the intellectual powers of his race.

Author Connie Plantz captures all the tension and excitement of Coleman’s soaring achievements. From an early age, Bessie Coleman dreamed of flying, but racial bigotry and gender bias threatened to keep her grounded. Denied entrance to flight training school in the United States, Coleman went to Europe. She returned, triumphant, with a pilot’s license and hopes of opening a flight school for African Americans. Raising funds as a stunt pilot, “Brave Bessie” thrilled her audiences with aerial tricks. Coleman’s life ended in a tragic accident, but not before her dream of flight made aviation history.

Legend has it that Davy Crockett, at the age of three, wrestled a bear. Its also been said that he could smile a raccoon out of a tree. As with most legends, this one was based in some truth. Davy Crockett was a great frontiersman and hunter of bears. This illustrated volume takes a look at the man and how the legend was made. Comic book style illustrations depict Crockett's real and exaggerated exploits. Before they know it, readers will want to check out more books on Davy Crockett to find out even more about this American hero and legend.