Books published by publisher Wings Press (TX)

Offering a powerful-but-playful portrait of urban teens-especially teens of color-this collection of poetry is at once rife with contemporary issues as well as the timeless challenges of high school. Whether focusing on topics such as troubled families, racism in the streets, and depression or boy-girl obsession, the joys of graduation, sports triumphs, and personal achievement, Angela Shelf Medearis writes with wry humor and a direct honesty with which young readers will immediately identify. This is an excellent resource to engage adolescent readers and writers in a discussion of issues they will recognize from their own lives.

Matthew Dickerson takes his readers from tiny mountain streams in the southern Rockies of New Mexico to the mighty Colorado River at the head of the Grand Canyon, to the Hill Country of Texas, exploring these various waters that manage to hold cold-loving trout in the midst of the hot desert landscapes of the American southwest. This lovingly described journey brings us through Dickerson’s own life of discovery and his love of fly fishing, trout, and the rivers where trout live. Though neither an historical nor a scientific text, the writing is informed by both. The book is illustrated by original prints from Texas artist Barbara Whitehead.

In Blood Flower, passionate imagery married to music bursts from each line pushing out the boundaries of Uschuk’s earlier poems. It continues themes in Uschuk’s American Book Award winner, Crazy Love. The poems braid the startling, sometimes brutal stories of her Russian/Czech immigrant family during the McCarthy Era in a conservative Michigan farming community with stories of courageous individuals, especially women, who persevere to love, despite it all. Uschuk’s step-grandfather, father, brother, nephews, and first husband all suffered severe PTSD as combat veterans who returned home from wars that ravished not only their lives, but the lives of the women and children closest to them. This is the history not just of one family but of immigrants in this nation. These poems, although set in landscapes across the globe, commonly draw their imagery and healing from the natural world, the wild world, and the integrity of the human heart.

"[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.

Offering a powerful-but-playful portrait of urban teens—especially teens of color—this collection of poetry is at once rife with contemporary issues as well as the timeless challenges of high school. Whether focusing on topics such as troubled families, racism in the streets, and depression or boy-girl obsession, the joys of graduation, sports triumphs, and personal achievement, Angela Shelf Medearis writes with wry humor and a direct honesty with which young readers will immediately identify. This is an excellent resource to engage adolescent readers and writers in a discussion of issues they will recognize from their own lives.

What is paradise for a fourteen-year-old boy?For Conrad it’s definitely not dusty Los Angeles, where he’s stuck living with his mother and his cheeky little sisters.Paradise is the forest where his dad still lives, by the water where everything is beautiful, where he belongs.But for most of the year it’s out of his reach, just like his other heaven: a certain brown-eyed somebody at school. The things he wants most are in opposite directions, and he can only float between them like a space cadet going round and round an irregular orbit.Then again, a lot can happen in a year.

Silver winner of the 2019 Literary Classics International Book Award for Young Adult Fantasy"A well written and utterly charming coming-of-age tale. With excellent world-building in a realm where magic, elves, and unicorns exist, we are introduced to perfectly flawed and highly relatable characters."About AspiringA coven of witches plots to overthrow a kingdom. One brave woman stands in their way.At her mother’s death-bed, Elisabeth learns her mother’s illness is no accident and that her own life is in danger. Evil witches are plotting to take over the kingdom of Vendale. All alone, naive, and untrained, Elisabeth’s determination is all she has to confront her mother’s murderers as she discovers love at the same time. While Richard’s behaviour sends distracting mixed messages, Elisabeth finds herself stuck in limbo: she is treated like a child but is forced to make adult decisions. Meanwhile, the witches’ plot spins a fateful web around her. Can Elisabeth succeed in the face of insurmountable odds?This is the first part of a two-part story. Becoming, Part 2 of the Siblings' Tale will be available in August 2019.

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.