A Children’s Book Review Seven Middle Grade Books for African American History Month Pick Fans of Elijah of Buxton, Trouble Don’t Last, and Stealing Freedom will be drawn to this tale of the incredible journey of an abused twelve-year-old white girl and an escaped slave girl who run away together and form a bond of friendship while seeking freedom. Every day is a misery for a nameless, motherless Southern girl who is treated cruelly by her pa and brothers. Her life changes forever when a runaway slave named Zenobia turns to her for help and shelter. Longing for her own freedom, the girl decides to run away, and she and Zenobia set off on a harrowing journey. Along the way, Zenobia names the girl Lark, after the bird, for her ability to mimic its song. Running by night, hiding by day, the girls are pursued by Lark’s pa and brothers and by ruthless slave catchers. Brightwell, another runaway slave, joins them, and the three follow secret signs to a stop on the Underground Railroad. When the hideout is raided and Zenobia and Brightwell are captured, Lark sets out alone to rescue her friends. A CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book of the Year An International Reading Association Best Chapter Book of the Year A Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Master List Selection A Great Stone Face Book Award Nominee A New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment Book Award Selection A Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards Selection "Lush, detailed, total-immersion storytelling."--Kirkus Reviews "Distinguished by lively descriptions and dialogue."--Publisher's Weekly "A gripping historical novel . . . heart-stopping, heart-racing and eventually heart-easing.--Library Voice "Powerful debut novel."--International Reading Association "An essential read for those interested in American history."--San Louis Obispo Tribune "A gritty, engrossing tale.--Slo Coast Journal

When a diphtheria epidemic hits her 1840 village, thirteen-year-old Jessie discovers it is actually a 1996 tourist site under unseen observation by heartless scientists, and it's up to Jessie to escape the village and save the lives of the dying children.

A freshman art student from Manhattan spends her first year away from home in New England.

It's 1838, and James has made a secret plan to escape Master Graham’s farm–and slavery. James tells his dog Zeus he has to stay behind: he’s simply too noisy to bring along on a dangerous nighttime journey. But when two white men capture James soon after he runs, he’s grateful his faithful hunting dog didn’t obey. Zeus has followed behind, and the scrappy hound rescues James from his captors. An author’s note describes the real life inspiration behind the book: James Smith, a slave who escaped with the help of his dog and went on to become a farmer and Baptist minister.

Remember how you once could spend hours watching the busy, small inhabitants of your childhood garden--the ones that burrowed, scampered, or buzzed? Every young person is a naturalist at heart. And remember how exciting it was to have more colors than just the basic eight in the crayon box? Even the names of those wonderful hues were fun to say aloud: scarlet, sapphire, chartreuse. In The Little Green Island with a Little Red House, acclaimed illustrator, naturalist, and garden writer Sharon Lovejoy melds gentle rhyme and winsome illustrations to introduce young readers to the little beige bat, the scarlet newt in the yellow boot, and many other creatures that share her island home.

"To inspire and motivate conscious lifestyle choices, to promote kindness and compassion for all living beings and to raise environmental awareness for a sustainable future, veteran raw vegan runner Janette Murray-Wakelin and Alan Murray ran around Australia, 15,782km, 366 marathons each in 366 days. On January 1, 2014, as they ran their 366th marathon, they set a new World Record for the most consecutive marathons, as the oldest and only couple to run around Australia, fuelled entirely on fruit and vegetables and wearing barefoot shoes. Having previously cured herself of cancer, Janette Murray-Wakelin is living proof that anything can be achieved when living a conscious lifestyle."--

"When you're running out of ink, the only person that can refill you with those things is you." In running out of ink, we are introduced to author Jen DeSanctis, who has struggled with mental health, relationships, death, substance abuse, and more. We see a narrator who has a joy and zeal for life faced with obstacles, beginning in the second grade. DeSanctis witnessed the butterfly effect of one moment starting at seven years old. She emphasizes how one moment can change everything. Ultimately, after accumulating struggles, she hit her lowest point on the night she calls "running out of ink"; it could have been the end, but it wasn't. DeSanctis explores the life challenges and losses which led to the loss of self, and her determination to fight through the darkness and find herself again. running out of ink, in poetic form, is a beautiful memoir that explores the fact that only you can save yourself. Jen DeSanctis illustrates that, despite your past, you can be re-born. Move forward. Take back control. Now is the time to re-write your narrative.