Books in American Storytelling from August House series

"With affectionate humor, Stivender explores a nostalgia for the historic elements of Catholic culture in the United States." -Publishers WeeklyIn his Apologetics class at Monsignor Bonner High School, Ed Stivender, designated clown, crossed Father McGinnis once too often. His punishment: a debate whose topic was The Existence of God. His assignment: the argument against it. What's a good Catholic to do when a task sets the two great directives of his upbringing―to affirm his faith, and to perform well in the classroom―in opposition? Young Edward's solution would foretell his future as a performing storyteller who recalls with affection the challenges of growing up Catholic. In a cycle of twelve autobiographical stories, Stivender details with wit, humor, and precision a faith journey through the obstacles change imposes.

Did you ever look carefully at a spider's web? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder and lightning? Why do dogs chase cats? Why does it look like there's a man in the moon? In this delightful recording of tales from around the world, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does. Four of the stories are told by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, authors of the companion book, How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read and Tell. Because the authors ....

Did you ever look carefully at a spider's web? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder and lightning? Why do dogs chase cats? Why does it look like there's a man in the moon? In this delightful recording of tales from around the world, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does. Four of the stories are told by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, authors of the companion book, How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read and Tell. Because the authors ....

At once funny, tender, and wise, these stories transport the readers to their own metaphorical islands. "Before geography lessons and off-island travel enlightened us, we children assumed that all people lived as we did. We thought the world was made up of islands, each having its own merry-go-round. What a pity we were wrong.” So begins this collection of fifteen beautiful stories, each a window into Susan Klein's distinctive experience growing up on Martha's Vineyard. The island was then a sleepy community animated by the annual Bass and Bluefish Derby with its exaggerated fishing lore, full-day beach parties where family buried barrels of hot rocks, sausage, linguica, onions and seaweed in the sand to steam cook―and the nation's oldest merry-go-round, a creaking wonder of murals, glitter, and brass rings. In one story young Susan packs coffee and sugar with her mother to send to relatives in Germany while learning about life in the old country. In another, she walks barefoot through a raging thunderstorm with eccentric Aunt Fanny.

Winner of Storytelling World Award & NAPPA Gold Award (Storytelling)A winding highway, children fighting in the back seat, parents suggesting diversionary games and holding onto their own hopes and fears for the vacation ahead: it's not an uncommon scene. However, it is Donald Davis's genius that turns a lackluster family vacation into a week to remember.The 1950s-era plastic seat covers were not the only thing to leave a lasting impression. In her spontaneous (and desperate) invention of games like Cow Poker and See Rock City, Mother keeps the rules one step ahead of the back-seat contestants, until one-too-many choruses prompt a detour the family never forgets.School Library Journal wrote, "The narrative moves gently, smoothly, and charmingly with the cadence of a master storyteller. Suitable for YAs who are looking for historical fiction or who have short story assignments, this book is also the perfect accompaniment for sitting in a favorite rocking chair while sipping homemade lemonade."

A doctor making a house call through a snowstorm to care for a young girl is guided by her dog, only to find that the dog was buried the month before. A ghostly herd of cattle reenacts a stampede on the anniversary of their slaughter. A cat pays a final visit to his mistress moments after his death. Werewolves, sea monsters, and other creatures round out this collection of ghostly tales. Using interviews with witnesses, first-person accounts, folklore archives, and printed sources, Nancy Roberts suggests in these varied stories that people do not have a monopoly on thinking and feeling.

Twenty-three original, horrific tales of vengeful spirits and nefarious supernatural creatures are made all the more sinister by comfortable, contemporary settings. Innocent beginnings a tiny spot of blood on a hand-embroidered pillowcase, a summer camper's prank played on his counselor, and a hotel night clerk's failure to place a wake-up call all result in surprising and chilling endings. But what else would one expect from a writer proclaimed the Queen of the Cold-Blooded Tales?