Books in Black History series

Move over Project Runway. Get ready to chuckle your way through centuries of fashion dos and don'ts! In this humorous and approachable narrative, kids will learn about outrageous, politically-perilous, funky, disgusting, regrettable, and life-threatening creations people have worn throughout the course of human history, all the way up to the present day. From spats and togas to hoop skirts and hair shirts, why people wore what they did is an illuminating way to look at the social, economic, political, and moral climates throughout history.

In the mid-1880s, the first black regiments of the US Army were nicknamed "buffalo soldiers" by Native Americans, a name that stuck. In the nearly 85 years of service that followed, buffalo soldiers served on the western frontier as well as in conflicts in Cuba, the Philippines, and Mexico. These courageous men became known for their discipline, among other admirable qualities. Sadly, they continued to face great prejudice in their own country despite stellar military records. Photographs of the soldiers, accounts of their exploits, and a timeline highlighting important moments of service further reveal the bravery of these troops.

This fun book of quirky failures and famous flops will keep kids laughing while they learn the importance of messing up in order to get it right. Science, architecture, technology, entertainment -- there are epic fails and hilarious goof-ups from every important field. Silly side features help to analyze the failures: "Lesson Learned," "It Could be Worse!," "Losing Combinations," and a "Fail Scale" help readers navigate the different kinds and scopes of the mistakes made. Read to learn what went wrong, what went right, and what kids can learn from each failed attempt.

Black History traces the timeline of this proud culture from its origins and the American Civil War, to the Civil Rights movement that still exists today. The series also discusses important events and accomplishments, and reveals some startling information about the struggle for human and civil rights. Short biographies on civil rights leaders, authors, artists, and other powerful African-Americans are also included.

In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel into space. This alone was a remarkable achievement, but Jemison accomplished so much more. She was a doctor, an engineer, a Peace Corps volunteer, a teacher, and the founder and president of two technology companies. In this lively biography, readers will discover the life of this amazing woman, from childhood through her time at NASA to her accomplishments after leaving the space program. Colorful photographs enliven the text, and sidebars and captions enrich the main text.