Browse all books

Books in True Stories series

  • Zoo Station: The Story of Christiane F.

    Christiane F.

    Paperback (Zest Books TM, Jan. 1, 2013)
    This incredible autobiography of Christiane F. provides a vivid portrait of teen friendship, drug abuse, and alienation in and around Berlin's notorious Zoo Station. Christiane's rapid descent into heroin abuse and prostitution is shocking, but the boredom, longing for acceptance, thrilling risks, and even her musical obsessions are familiar to everyone. Previously published in Germany and the US to critical acclaim, Zest's new translation includes original photographs of Christiane and her friends.
  • Gunner: Hurricane Horse

    Judy Andrekson, David Parkins

    Paperback (Tundra Books, Sept. 14, 2010)
    Each book in the True Horse Stories focuses on a contemporary horse from a different part of the world, and each animal is, in his or her own way, a hero.PBJ Decks Smokin Gun (Gunner) is an American Paint Horse, one of the many of Heather Lott Goodwin's herd, and a valuable show animal that won the World Championship Paint Horse title. When Hurricane Katrina passed over the Goodwin property, it took with it the fences, the cattle, and several horses. Heather and her family lived in their horse trailer for six weeks and considered themselves lucky to have safe, comfortable shelter. After the storm, they searched for the animals and recovered many of them. But three months passed before they located Gunner, a hundred miles away. They were told he was in terrible shape and should be put down. Nevertheless, Heather drove on washed-out roads to bring him home, starving, dehydrated, and blind in one eye. With the help of a vet and her mother, she nursed him back to health. Amazingly, nine months later, he was well enough to compete again in the World Championship Paint Horse Show. Gunner's story is a testament to love and to determination.
    S
  • Titanicat

    Marty Crisp, Robert Papp

    Hardcover (Sleeping Bear Press, June 5, 2008)
    Young Jim Mulholland can't believe his good luck: He has signed on as a cabin boy to the world's finest ocean liner, the Titanic, and can't wait for the history-making voyage across the sea to America. As part of his duties Jim is in charge of the ship's cat, a beautiful tortoiseshell that also appears happy to be on board. He calls the cat by the ship's construction number, 4-0-1, certain that she will bring him good luck. And he's delighted when 4-0-1 shortly gives birth to a litter of kittens. But once the ship's trial runs are completed and it's ready to launch to sea, Jim notices that 4-0-1 is nowhere to be found. He's got to find her-the Titanic can't cast off without her lucky cat. Jim is faced with a decision that will affect the rest of his life.A newspaper journalist for 30 years, Marty Crisp often writes about the animals that hold a special interest and place in her heart. She has published many award-winning books for children and adults, including White Star, her book about a dog on the Titanic. Marty lives in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. Robert Papp's award-winning artwork includes hundreds of illustrations for major publishers across the United States, and his first children's book, The Scarlet Stockings Spy, was named an IRA Teachers' Choice in 2005. His other books with Sleeping Bear Press include The Last Brother and M is for Meow: A Cat Alphabet. Robert lives in historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
    L
  • The Story Behind Water

    Christin Ditchfield

    Library Binding (Heinemann, July 1, 2011)
    What is water? What are the three forms of water? How can we conserve water for the future?To uncover the hidden facts behind everyday things, explore the secrets of True Stories. True Stories reveals the surprising truth about a range of subjects. Discover everything you could wish to know, and some things you'll wish you didn't, about a huge range of topics!
    W
  • Dear Teen Me: Authors Write Letters to Their Teen Selves

    Miranda Kenneally, E. Kristin Anderson

    Paperback (Zest Books TM, Aug. 1, 2012)
    Dear Teen Me includes advice from over 70 YA authors (including Lauren Oliver, Ellen Hopkins, and Nancy Holder, to name a few) to their teenage selves. The letters cover a wide range of topics, including physical abuse, body issues, bullying, friendship, love, and enough insecurities to fill an auditorium. So pick a page, and find out which of your favorite authors had a really bad first kiss! Who found true love at 18? Who wishes he'd had more fun in high school instead of studying so hard? Some authors write diary entries, some write letters, and a few graphic novelists turn their stories into visual art. And whether you hang out with the theater kids, the band geeks, the bad boys, the loners, the class presidents, the delinquents, the jocks, or the nerds, you'll find friends―and a lot of familiar faces―in these pages.
    Y
  • War Stories: True Stories from the First & Second World Wars

    Paul Dowswell

    Paperback (Usborne Pub Ltd, Jan. 1, 2012)
    Collects stories of events during the first and second world wars, covering land battles, the naval Battle of Jutland, the last voyage of the Bismarck, the cracking of the Enigma code, and the Manhattan Project.
  • Easy True Stories: A Picture-Based Beginning Reader

    Sandra Heyer

    Paperback (Longman Pub Group, Jan. 1, 1994)
    * A couple feels something moving inside their mattress. Is it alive? What is it? * A man's winning lottery ticket -- worth half a million dollars -- is somewhere in the town dump. Can he find it in the mountains of garbage? * A woman searches 20 years for the daughter she gave up for adoption. Where does she discover her daughter? Easy True Stories, by Sandra Heyer, presents 20 new stories in the True Stories tradition: human interest stories adapted from newspapers and magazines. The stories -- some humorous, some poignant, some astounding -- are told as simply as possible. Most stories are less than half-page long, and they are written almost exclusively in the present tense. Nine pre-reading drawings introduce each unit visually and ease students into reading. Easy True Stories can be used as a first reader for students who have some experience with English. The True Stories series also includes: **Very Easy True Stories*All New Very Easy True Stories*All New Easy True Stories* Tru
  • Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize

    Kathy-jo Wargin, Zachary Pullen

    Hardcover (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2009)
    Almost everyone has heard of the Nobel Prize, a collection of prizes awarded for accomplishments in science, medicine, literature, and peace. But few people know about the man who established the award and for whom it is named, Alfred Nobel. Alfred Nobel was born in Sweden in 1833. A quick and curious mind, combined with a love of science and chemistry, drove him to invent numerous technological devices throughout his long life. But he is perhaps most well known for his invention of dynamite. Intending it to help safely advance road and bridge construction, Nobel saw his most famous invention used in the development of military weaponry. After a newspaper headline mistakenly announces his death, Nobel was inspired to leave a legacy of another sort. The Man Behind the Peace Prize tells the story of the enduring legacy of Alfred Nobel.Kathy-jo Wargin is the bestselling author of more than 30 books for children. Among her many awards for her work are an International Reading Association Children's Choice Award for The Legend of the Loon and an IRA Teachers' Choice Award for Win One for the Gipper. She lives in the Great Lakes area. Zachary Pullen's character-oriented picture book illustrations have won awards and garnered starred reviews. He has been honored several times with acceptance into the prestigious Society of Illustrators juried shows and Communication Arts Illustration Annual of the best in current illustration. Zachary lives in Wyoming.
    T
  • Little Squire: The Jumping Pony

    Judy Andrekson, David Parkins

    Paperback (Tundra Books, April 10, 2007)
    Little Squire was born in an Irish meadow on an early spring day. The colt was beautifully formed with strong, straight legs and a pretty head. But due to his small size, it was unlikely he would be more than a nice child’s riding pony. By the following spring, the yearling was separated from his mother and turned out to pasture with the other weanlings. Little Squire wasn’t happy to be away from his dam so he charged the high stone wall and cleared it easily. Little Squire had just shown an astonishing side of himself that would eventually bring him greatness. Over time, the young horse traded hands, crossed an ocean, and ended up on the American show-jumping circuit. That was when he met another diminutive Irish immigrant, Mickey Walsh. The two were inseparable until, at Mickey’s request, Little Squire was retired at the top of his game, and while he was still sound. He went out in a blaze of glory, though, ending his last performance with Mickey by jumping a six-foot-two fence — rider-less — in front of a packed arena. During the war-torn 30s, Little Squire had given people something to cheer about.
    Y
  • Shep: Our Most Loyal Dog

    Sneed B. Collard III, Joanna Yardley

    Hardcover (Sleeping Bear Press, April 1, 2006)
    Reliability, devotion and faithfulness: endearing qualities shared between people and their canine companions. Shep is the true story of a dog that became an inspiration to people around the world. Following the death of his owner in 1936, Shep watched as his body was placed on a train and shipped east. For more than five years, through rain and snow, Shep met every incoming train with hopes that he would see the man who had cared for him. Even today, people visit Fort Benton, Montana, to stand at the grave of a dog whose actions remind us of the true meaning of loyalty and heart.Sneed B. Collard III is the author of more than 45 books for young people including The Prairie Builders, The Forest in the Clouds, Butterfly Count and B is for Big Sky Country: A Montana Alphabet. Sneed lives in Missoula, Montana. Joanna Yardley has illustrated a number of award-winning children's books. This is her third book with Sleeping Bear Press. She is the illustrator of B is for Big Sky Country: A Montana Alphabet and P is for Peace Garden: A North Dakota Alphabet. Jo lives in Missoula, Montana along with her husband and son.
    Q
  • Regine's Book: A Teen Girl's Last Words

    Regine Stokke

    Paperback (Zest Books TM, Jan. 1, 2014)
    Regine’s blog about living with Leukemia gained a huge following, and eventually became this book. She writes openly about emotional and physical aspects of her 15-month struggle to recover, and explains how her disease impacts her life. In the course of her illness, Regine has photography exhibits, goes to concerts, enjoys her friends & family, and advocates for registering as a blood and bone marrow donor. She was a typical teenager with an amazing will to live; and the lessons she learned have relevance for all of us. She died at home on December 3, 2009 with her family and cat by her side.
  • The First World War

    Paul Dowswell

    Paperback (Usborne Pub Ltd, Dec. 1, 2007)
    Collects stories of events during the First World War, offering background information on the conflict and covering land battles, the naval Battle of Jutland, the zepplin campaign of the air war, and nursing.
    V