Books published by publisher Tradition Books

Children will share the excitement of the heroine, Tay, when they read about the Wild West Show at Chicago's World Fair. They will see the show and meet its stars through Tay's eyes as she experiences the thrills of the Wild West Show and struggles to gain the respect of her older brother. From her stories, readers will learn details about the Columbian Exposition of 1893, the legendary Wild West Show, and the difficulties of life on the American frontier.

The famous poet Countee Cullen gives Simon Brocade his nickname: Shaky Bones. As Shaky explains it, when the music starts, he just can't be still! Music and creativity seem to ooze from everyone in Shaky's neighborhood during the Harlem Renaissance-- including from Shaky. He wants to be famous as a poet. A young poet's competition teaches Shaky that being known as a good person might just be better than being known as a talent. Shaky guides readers through the Harlem of his day, introduces us to prominent writers and musicians of the era, and brings us the excitement of the Harlem Renaissance.

Bonita's grandmother predicts that blood will soon be shed on the soil of Texas. But little does Bonita imagine how much blood there will be--or that the war that takes her brothers might also take away her best friend. Readers are brought back to the Mexican War through Bonita's story and learn about the causes and aftermath of the war, its racial politics, and its effects on one Mexican girl living in Texas.

Ike FitzHugh's mother is Inuit and his father is white. To many of the whites rushing Alaska during the 1898 gold rush, this makes him a 'half-breed' and therefore is not to be trusted. But when Ike helps an injured white boy, he proves to him that being honest has nothing to do with race. From Ike's point of view, readers learn about the people involved in the Klondike Gold Rush, Inuit and white, and the different attitudes of the era regarding nature and race.

An unexpected friendship is at the center of this unique look at the first Thanksgiving. Young Giles meets up with Metacom, one of the Wampanoag living in the area near the Plimoth Colony, and comes to a new understanding about the Native American people. Readers will learn about the early colonists in America and the Indians who helped them survive.