My Books
I have LOTS to choose from. Click on any of the titles or covers below for more about the book. Enjoy!
Now in Paperback!
From the Award-Winning National Geographic "Remember" Series
Through compelling narrative, first-person accounts, archival images, detailed maps, and a timeline of key events, the Remember series paints a vivid and unforgettable portrait of pivotal events in American history.
REMEMBER LITTLE ROCK: The Time, the People, the Stories
National Geographic Books • 2009 (hc) • 2015 (pb)
Foreword by Terrence J. Roberts, Ph.D., of the Little Rock Nine
The riveting, dramatic story of the 1957-58 desegregation crisis at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas told through eyewitness accounts, contemporary photographs, and my own interviews with participants on both sides of the racial divide.
• Winner of 2011 Arkansiana Award from the Arkansas Library Association for the best juvenile book representing Arkansas heritage and culture
• Starred Review, School Library Journal
REMEMBER THE ALAMO: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories
Foreword by Richard Bruce Winders, Ph.D., Alamo Curator & Historian
The famous battle presented in its true context as a heroic and pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution, incorporating recent historical evidence and a rich array of eyewitness accounts. Illustrated with 19th century paintings and photographs that bring old Texas to life, along with contemporary, historically accurate depictions of key events in the 13-day siege.
• Winner of 2007 June Franklin Naylor Award from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for the best book for children on Texas history
REMEMBER LITTLE BIGHORN: Indians, Soldiers, and Scouts Tell Their Stories
National Geographic Books • 2006 (hc) • 2015 (pb)
Foreword by John A. Doerner, Chief of Interpretation, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
The most controversial battle of the American frontier from a fresh perspective based on the latest historical and archaeological research, with a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts and authentic historical images.
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People (National Council for the Social Studies / Children's Book Council)
• American Library Association Notable Book
A Battle of Genius in Renaissance Florence
THE FEUD THAT SPARKED THE RENAISSANCE: How Brunelleschi and Ghiberti Changed the Art World
Filippo Brunelleschi built the massive dome of the Florence cathedral, rediscovered the laws of mathematical perspective, and redefined the role of the artist in society. Yet Brunelleschi might never have reached his full potential had it not been for his lifelong rival: the gifted and canny sculptor, Lorenzo Ghiberti. This lush, imaginative history offers a delightful tour of Quattrocento Florence in an age of towering genius and bursting creative energy. Adult readers.
A convincing account of one of the defining moments in art and history.
—Kirkus Reviews
Just for Lovers!
WILD LOVE and other sensual poems from the Ancient Greek: Suitable for Quoting, Flirting, and Tantalizing
Blue Monkey Studio • April 2015
Written & Translated with Corrado Sesselego
Poetry is the language of love, and no poets approached their subject with more passion, power, and unfettered abandon than the poets of ancient Greece. Their love poetry—selected and presented here in new, accessible English translations—has a raw sensuality mixed with tender subtlety that reflects a land where gods and goddesses lusted and loved with the same wild abandon as did the humans who worshipped them. This is love without judgment, love without rules. This is love because love and only love can sustain the lover’s life.
A Perennial Favorite – Still in Print after 30 Years
PRIDE OF PUERTO RICO The Life of Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente, the great right fielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is a legend for his commitment and humanity on and off the field. This biography traces his journey from the muddy fields of Puerto Rico to the heights of baseball stardom, battling prejudice and injury along the way. Clemente got his 3,000th hit at the end of the 1972 season, but he would never get another. An inspiring story for young sports fans. Ages 8-12.
• Included in Best Books for Children.
New from the All About America series
This cool new series from Macmillan/Kingfisher present key periods that shaped America through colorful, action-packed two-page spreads — with main text, lots of sidebars, specially-commissioned illustrations, and original artwork from each period. A fun read for ages 8 and up or anyone else who wants to cruise through American history.
A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS
Kingfisher • February 2012
AMERICAN INDIANS
Kingfisher • November 2011
This unusual volume portrays the lives of the Indian people before the Europeans arrived, and then follows the changes in their traditional lifeways as they responded to pressures from the white newcomers. Includes vivid illustrations of their homes, clothing, weapons, and other aspects of their rich cultures.
GOLD RUSH AND RICHES
Kingfisher • June 2011
The boom and bust story of the California gold rush, from James Marshall's chance discovery of a few shiny flakes to a massive migration of gold seekers who changed America forever. Also follows the tale of the continuing search for riches to the Comstock Lode of Nevada, the Klondike Stampede of the Canadian Yukon, the gushing oil wells of "black gold," and the industrial mining operations of modern America. Illustrated with a mix of archival images and colorful original art that depict the rough and tumble life of the forty-niners.
New Educational Publishing from National Geographic
AMERICAN FOLKTALES series
These five folktale collections represent the people and land of five regions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West. Each book includes four different types of folktales: a tall tale, a Native American story, an ethnic story, and a regional story. The series is rated at a 4th grade reading level, and is intended to provide content-based literature to complement regional social studies.
The Back Shelf
The books listed below are currently out-of-stock indefinitely (OSI) or out-of-print (OP) with their original publishers. Some are still available in special editions, and I have indicated those where appropriate. These are all wonderful books, and I urge you to seek them out and read them if they interest you. Many can be found at your local library and/or purchased through used booksellers. Click on the title or cover image for more complete information. Thanks for your interest!
THE SOUTHWEST: Gold, God, & Grandeur
Photographs by George H. H. Huey.
TRAIL OF THE WILD WEST:A Reexamination of the American Frontier
TRUE TALES OF THE WILD WEST
From Lewis and Clark descending the Columbia River and Jedediah Smith wandering the desert to the California gold discovery and the first ride of the Pony Express, young readers will travel through time and see the events of the Wild West through the eyes of those who were there. Meticulously researched, yet told in an accessible narrative style, these ten stories reveal a gritty, surprising, and exciting world beyond the stereotypes of television and movies. Illustrated with 60 archival images. Ages 10 and up.
SPIRITUAL LEADERS
Facts on File • 1994
BIG MEN, BIG COUNTRY: A Collection of American Tall Tales
Illustrated by James Bernardin
GIANTS! Stories from Around the World
Illustrated by James Bernardin
LITTLE FOLK: Stories from Around the World
Illustrated by James Bernardin
BIGFOOT AND OTHER LEGENDARY CREATURES
Illustrated by William Noonan
THE METHOD
THE SLUGGERS CLUB: A Sports Mystery
HEAD FOR THE HILLS! The Amazing True Story of the Johnstown Flood.
HOOP DREAMS
WHO INVENTED THE GAME?
Written with Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
ANDY LAKEY: Art, Angels, and Miracles
Written with Andy Lakey
EVERY DAY'S A MIRACLE
EXPLORING THE GREAT RIVERS OF NORTH AMERICA
National Geographic Society • 1999 • Special Publication
GREAT FIGURES OF THE WILD WEST
Facts on File • 1992
Vivid biographical profiles of eight legendary figures whose names read like a Who's Who of the Wild West: Sitting Bull, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill, Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Belle Starr, Geronimo, and Judge Roy Bean. Ages 10 and up.
This was one of my first books and inspired a fascination with the American West that led to many other books on the West for both adults and younger readers. And yes — I was as puzzled by the pink cover when this was first released as you probably are looking at it now. It was part of a series, and I guess it was time for pink!
THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE (World History Library)
An overview of an age that transformed the western world. Ages 12 and up.
While researching and writing this book I became fascinated with the story of Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti — which led to my adult narrative nonfiction book, The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance. Just one of many times throughout my career when one book has led to another.