A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) In this “searing work of historical fiction” (Booklist), Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Sharon M. Draper tells the epic story of a young girl torn from her African village, sold into slavery, and stripped of everything she has ever known—except hope. Amari's life was once perfect. Engaged to the handsomest man in her tribe, adored by her family, and fortunate enough to live in a beautiful village, it never occurred to her that it could all be taken away in an instant. But that was what happened when her village was invaded by slave traders. Her family was brutally murdered as she was dragged away to a slave ship and sent to be sold in the Carolinas. There she was bought by a plantation owner and given to his son as a "birthday present". Now, survival is all Amari can dream about. As she struggles to hold on to her memories, she also begins to learn English and make friends with a white indentured servant named Molly. When an opportunity to escape presents itself, Amari and Molly seize it, fleeing South to the Spanish colony in Florida at Fort Mose. Along the way, their strength is tested like never before as they struggle against hunger, cold, wild animals, hurricanes, and people eager to turn them in for reward money. The hope of a new life is all that keeps them going, but Florida feels so far away and sometimes Amari wonders how far hopes and dreams can really take her.

"The immigrant with whom we are primarily interested was Georg Christoff Oechslen. Tradition has it that his family had lived in Alsace for a generation or two already after leaving Schaffhausen, and that his father had been impressed into the Army of Frederick William I ... [he] was born about 1705-1706 ... arrived in Philadelphia on October 2, 1727 on the ship "Adventure" ... apparently lived in the vacinity of Philadelphia for a few years, joining in that extensive excursion of the "Pennsylvania Germans" to Loudoun County, Virginia ... He was married about the same time, but whether in Pennsylvania or Virginia is not known, nor is the maiden name of his wife known, other than that she was called Catherine"--Page 18. Descendants eventually adopted the surname Exline and Axline. Descendants lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Colorado, Kansas, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, California and elsewhere

Most often remembered for her gestures, expressive eyes, and body language on the screen, ZaSu Pitts was an unusual actress (and also an excellent cook: she often gave homemade candies to her coworkers, and her collection of candy recipes was published posthumously). This affectionate study of both her private life off-screen and her public persona details how the multi-talented actress become one of filmdom's favorite comediennes and character players. The book includes many rare photographs.