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Books in Smithsonian Historical Fiction series

  • Li on Angel Island

    Veeda Bybee

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Aug. 1, 2020)
    Li, her mother, and her brother journey from China to America to join their father in San Francisco. But they are detained at the Angel Island immigration center, where Chinese Americans are subject to harsh treatment and questioning. Will Li be able to answer the detailed questions about her former home, and why she wants to come to America? Or will she fail the tests and be deported?
  • A Star Like Jesse Owens

    Nikki Shannon Smith

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Aug. 1, 2020)
    Matthew is a young African-American boy who dreams of becoming an Olympic runner like his hero, Jesse Owens. There's one big problem, though Matthew has asthma, which makes it hard for him to run. When his journalist father is assigned to cover the 1936 Olympics in Germany, Matthew jumps at the chance tag along. He has never been out of Ohio before, let alone to Europe. Will Owens's amazing Olympic victories inspire Matthew in his own chosen career?
  • Audrey and Apollo 11

    Rebecca Rissman

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Aug. 1, 2020)
    Science-obsessed Audrey is a fifth grader in Houston, Texas, who dreams of one day working at NASA, like her dad does. Dad, however, is nothing but discouraging. Audrey doesn't give up, though. She's created her own model rocket. When it doesn't fly, she figures out a way to fix it that ends up helping the Apollo 11 astronauts after they land on the Moon. Will Audrey's dad come around? And will Audrey have a future in science?
  • A Star Like Jesse Owens

    Nikki Shannon Smith

    Library Binding (Capstone Press, Aug. 1, 2020)
    Matthew is a young African-American boy who dreams of becoming an Olympic runner like his hero, Jesse Owens. There's one big problem, though Matthew has asthma, which makes it hard for him to run. When his journalist father is assigned to cover the 1936 Olympics in Germany, Matthew jumps at the chance tag along. He has never been out of Ohio before, let alone to Europe. Will Owens's amazing Olympic victories inspire Matthew in his own chosen career?
  • Archie Strikes Gold

    Brandon Terrell

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Aug. 1, 2020)
    Archie is traveling with his uncle Harold, a member of an entertainment revue hired by the renovated Dawson City Theatre, to perform for the Yukon gold rushers. While there, Harold befriends an older gentleman, Montgomery Wycroft, who is in the area panning for gold. Archie and his uncle opt to stay behind in Dawson City, joining Monty on his dangerous quest for gold, battling with both greedy gold-seekers and the unforgiving Canadian terrain. Will Archie and his uncle strike gold, or will they find something more valuable?
  • Mystery at Manzanar: A WWII Internment Camp Story

    Eric Fein, Kurt Hartman

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 2008)
    During World War II, 15-year-old Tommy Yamamoto and his family are forced into the Manzanar internment camp for Japanese Americans. While there, an elderly internee is attacked, and one of the camp's guards is charged with the crime. Tommy sets out to solve the crime and discovers some unlikely suspects.
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  • Li on Angel Island

    Veeda Bybee

    Library Binding (Capstone Press, Aug. 1, 2020)
    Li, her mother, and her brother journey from China to America to join their father in San Francisco. But they are detained at the Angel Island immigration center, where Chinese Americans are subject to harsh treatment and questioning. Will Li be able to answer the detailed questions about her former home, and why she wants to come to America? Or will she fail the tests and be deported?
  • Graphic Flash: Captured Off Guard: The Attack on Pearl Harbor

    Donald Lemke, Ronda Pattison, Claude St. Aubin

    Library Binding (Stone Arch Books, Jan. 1, 2008)
    While camping out, Hank and his best friend James hear loud explosions. Pearl Harbor is under attack! James wants to hide out, but Hank wants to capture the battle on his trusty camera. Will this he risk his life for the snapshot of a lifetime?
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  • Secret Weapons: A Tale of the Revolutionary War

    J. Gunderson, Jesus Salvador Aburto Martinez

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 2008)
    The British are coming! Fourteen-year-old Daniel wants to join the militia and fight against the redcoats. His father wants him to stay in Concord, Massachusetts, and help run the blacksmith shop. Daniel thinks the job is pointless, until he finds a secret stash of weapons in the shop's back room. Now, he must protect the weapons from the British, or the American Revolution could be over before it begins.
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  • After the Challenger: A Story of the Space Shuttle Disaster

    Robert Marsh, Marcelo Baez

    Library Binding (Stone Arch Books, Jan. 1, 2009)
    Half graphic novel. Half traditional text.
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  • Ropes of Revolution: The Boston Tea Party

    J. Gunderson, Brent Schoonover

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Jan. 1, 2008)
    The Sons of Liberty are planning a protest on British taxes. Theyโ€™re going to dump shiploads of British tea into Boston Harbor. Fifteen-year-old Benjamin and his friend, Joseph, want a part of the action!
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  • Fire and Snow: A Tale of the Alaskan Gold Rush

    J. Gunderson, Shannon Townsend

    Paperback (Capstone Press, Jan. 1, 2007)
    The rivers of Alaska are flowing with gold, so Ethan and his family leave their comfortable home to seek their fortune. They must brave an avalanche, cross an icy river, and battle a deadly fire before they can decide if the hunt for treasure is worth the risk. Written in graphic-novel format.
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