Books published by publisher WingSpan Press

"[A] remarkable life story" -Senator Bob Dole I'll See You Again, Lady Liberty is the story of a young German whose father dared to rip a required picture of Hitler off his wall and whose mother made prank telephone calls to Nazis. Forced to join Hitler's army, Ernst Floeter made a secret wish to be captured by the Allies and become a prisoner of war. His wish came true twelve days after D-Day. He was a POW first in Michigan and Illinois, and then in New Mexico. After World War II ended, he sailed from New York Harbor for his homeland, but not before informing the Statue of Liberty that he would see her again. Ernst W. Floeter started his own photography business in 1960 in Grand Ledge, Michigan, just west of Lansing, the state capital. With his charming German accent, he quickly became an "institution" by volunteering for numerous community projects, playing his harmonica and pan flute at musical events, and performing as "Uncle Sam" in Fourth of July festivities. Lynne Breen of Lansing-a history buff with a journalism background -had heard about Mr. Floeter's remarkable life and felt that his story should not be lost to history. During 2013, the two met at the Log Jam restaurant in Grand Ledge, where he shared with her his life story.

On October 28, 1959, John Howard Griffin underwent a transformation that changed many lives beyond his own—he made his skin black and traveled through the segregated Deep South. His odyssey of discovery was captured in journal entries, arguably the single most important documentation of 20th-century American racism ever written. More than 50 years later, this newly edited edition—which is based on the original manuscript and includes a new design and added afterword—gives fresh life to what is still considered a “contemporary book.” The story that earned respect from civil rights leaders and death threats from many others endures today as one of the great human—and humanitarian—documents of the era. In this new century, when terrorism is too often defined in terms of a single ethnic designation or religion, and the first black president of the United States is subject to hateful slurs, this record serves as a reminder that America has been blinded by fear and racial intolerance before. This is the story of a man who opened his eyes and helped an entire nation to do likewise.

A vivid depiction of the early injustices encountered by a young Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920's, this book tells the true story of Emma Tenayuca. Emma learns to care deeply about poverty and hunger during a time when many Mexican Americans were starving to death and working unreasonably long hours at slave wages in the city's pecan-shelling factories. Through astute perception, caring, and personal action, Emma begins to get involved and eventually, at the age of 21, leads 12,000 workers in the first significant historical action in the Mexican-American struggle for justice. Emma Tenayuca's story serves as a model for young and old alike about courage, compassion, and the role everyone can play in making the world fairer. Una representación vívida de las injusticias con las que se encuentra una joven mexicano-americana en San Antonio en las décadas de 1920 y 1930, este libro cuenta la historia verdadera de Emma Tenayuca. Emma aprende a preocuparse por la pobreza y el hambre durante una época cuando muchos mexicano-americanos se morían de inanición y trabajaban horas excesivamente largas por sueldos exiguos en las fábricas de pacana. A través de percepción perspicaz, un buen corazón y acción personal, Emma empieza a involucrarse y al final, a los 21 años, lleva a 12.000 trabajadores a tomar acción por la primera vez en la historia de la lucha mexicano-americana por la justicia. El relato de Emma Tenayuca sirve de modelo para tanto los jóvenes como los adultos sobre el valor, la compasión y el papel que puede desempeña quienquiera en hacer más justo el mundo.

A vivid depiction of the early injustices encountered by a young Mexican-American girl in San Antonio in the 1920's, this book tells the true story of Emma Tenayuca. Emma learns to care deeply about poverty and hunger during a time when many Mexican Americans were starving to death and working unreasonably long hours at slave wages in the city's pecan-shelling factories. Through astute perception, caring, and personal action, Emma begins to get involved, and eventually, at the age of 21, leads 12,000 workers in the first significant historical action in the Mexican-American struggle for justice. Emma Tenayuca's story serves as a model for young and old alike about courage, compassion, and the role everyone can play in making the world more fair.

In 2003 David Miller, a 41 year-old engineer, quit his job to backpack 2172 miles from Georgia to Maine. His story is told here in Awol on the Appalachian Trail, an outstanding contemporary account of hiking on the A.T. It provides a vivid description of the Appalachian Mountains, the small towns threaded together by the trail, and people met along the way. Abundant photographs complement the book's exacting prose. This book puts the reader into the shoes of the long distance hiker, and draws parallels between lessons learned on the trail and challenges of everyday experience. It is entertaining and funny, insightful and informative. It is about liberation, motivation and perseverance. This book is for anyone who has ever wanted to break free from routine, anyone with a desire for adventure.

"Today is the day I will help everyone!" exclaims Heloise Grace one morning with glee. However, despite Heloise's best efforts, she soon learns that helping her family is not as easy as it sounds. All of Heloise Grace's attempts to help seem to go horribly wrong. Travel with Heloise in this beautifully illustrated tale as she learns how to help in just the right way with a little guidance from her Mimi. This book is for all those with good intentions, helpful hearts, and that someone special to lean on and cook with when the going gets tough. Recreate Heloise's and her Mimi's creation and make your own yummy memories-special pesto pasta recipe at the end of the book will have you coming back for a second taste of this delightful story.

JESSE SHARPE, child prodigy and orphan, is an agent for C2, a secret organization. It is hard to separate the bad guys from the good in a world of secrets. And this time, Jesse is involved in something particularly twisted. She begins to doubt herself. Has C2 forced her to act against her own good instincts and turned her into a heartless monster? She struggles to discover the truth. But will she recognize it when she sees it? Her life could depend on it.

The visionary tales told in this collection of short stories reflect a wild-child's comical quest to eek out every bit of fun, in the extreme, that could be had in a Southern suburban neighborhood. Painted into the backdrop of each caper is a permanent exposition of Southern flare within family life and community spirit that ultimately held together and supported the cast of characters of this hilarious chronicle of adventures.

Despite being smart, athletic, and likeable, fourteen-year-old Cael Brand prefers to move quietly through junior high in the shadows. But when his mother and only living parent, famed archeologist Dr. Eryn Brand, succumbs to a sudden and unexplainable illness, the teenager can’t avoid getting involved. To save his mother, Cael will need to follow a series of clues that unlock a long-hidden family secret. There are things Cael never knew about his mom, and the answers are not to be found on Earth. His search for the truth leads to Palatore – a mysterious world where everyday, ordinary words have amazing power to heal or destroy. To survive the journey and return with a cure, Cael will need to step from the shadows and with the help of new friends take a stand against an age-old enemy bent on his family’s destruction.

On September 12, 2000, I had a dream that woke me up in the middle of the night. A voice, without form, said, “Write the story of your mother’s life.” At the time, I thought that would entail recounting the unique adventures of her early life on a homestead outside Calgary, Canada. Little did I know that her story would instead begin with a stroke that marked the beginning of her passage into the last stage of life. I never imagined that Mom would have to deal with the issues of assisted living and nursing homes, broken hips, and strokes. She had always suffered from high blood pressure and had weathered several heart attacks years ago. I was certain that her death, when it came, would be quick and clean.What lies ahead is the story of my journey with Mom through the last stage of her life, a journey into assisted living and her eventual death. I made a commitment to myself to join her in this as deeply as possible. I had no idea how this decision would force me into depths of my own character I never knew existed. My coping mechanisms were often rendered useless. I had no road map for a journey ruled by the unpredictable and offering no escape from the reality of death.

?Makes you feel the pain and joy of an Appalachian Trail thru-hike . . . In vivid colors, David paints a picture of his memorable journey.??Larry Luxenberg, president of the Appalachian Trail Museum SocietyIn 2003, David Miller left his job, family, and friends to fulfill a dream and hike the Appalachian Trail. AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is Miller?s account of this thru-hike along the entire 2,172 miles from Georgia to Maine. On page after page, readers are treated to rich descriptions of the valleys and mountains, the isolation and reverie, the inspiration that fueled his quest, and the life-changing moments that can only be experienced when dreams are pursued. While this book abounds with introspection and perseverance, it also provides useful passages about safety and proper gear, showing a professional hiker?s preparations and tenacity. This is not merely a travel guide, but a beautifully written and highly personal view into one man?s adventure and what it means to make a lifelong vision come true.

On September 12, 2000, I had a dream that woke me up in the middle of the night. A voice, without form, said, "Write the story of your mother's life." At the time, I thought that would entail recounting the unique adventures of her early life on a homestead outside Calgary, Canada. Little did I know that her story would instead begin with a stroke that marked the beginning of her passage into the last stage of life. I never imagined that Mom would have to deal with the issues of assisted living and nursing homes, broken hips, and strokes. She had always suffered from high blood pressure and had weathered several heart attacks years ago. I was certain that her death, when it came, would be quick and clean. What lies ahead is the story of my journey with Mom through the last stage of her life, a journey into assisted living and her eventual death. I made a commitment to myself to join her in this as deeply as possible. I had no idea how this decision would force me into depths of my own character I never knew existed. My coping mechanisms were often rendered useless. I had no road map for a journey ruled by the unpredictable and offering no escape from the reality of death.