In 1904, when ten-year-old Samantha has trouble riding her new bicycle, her grandmother offers a surprising solution. Includes notes on the history of bicycles and bicycling.

All six books in an attractive slipcase.

Samantha organizes a talent show to support the library, but wonders what her special talent is. Includes historical notes on vaudeville as well as instructions for juggling scarves.

The two weeks before Christmas are filled with activity as Samantha finishes her homemade presents and makes peparations for visiting relatives

Samantha is a wealthy orphan growing up in 1904. Her grandmother is raising her as a proper young lady with the best of everything. Still, Samantha is lonely. When her Uncle Gard comes to visit with his friend, Miss Cornelia Pitt, and a special gift for Samantha, it doesn’t go well. Even worse, Samantha isn’t allowed to play with Nellie, the girl next door, because Nellie is a servant. So Samantha decides to help Nellie learn to read. Through her forbidden friendship with Nellie, Samantha learns some important things, too — about truth, friendship, and family.

"In this simple story belonging to the first level of Herbster Readers, young Herbie races his bike against Samantha."--Provided by publisher.

Life is chaotic. But we can choose to live it differently. It doesn’t always feel like it, but we do have the freedom to creatively change the everyday little things in our lives so that our path better aligns with our values and passions. The popular blogger and founder of the internationally recognized Simple Mom online community tells the story of her family’s ongoing quest to live more simply, fully, and intentionally. Part memoir, part travelogue, part practical guide, Notes from a Blue Bike takes you from a hillside in Kosovo to a Turkish high-rise to the congested city of Austin to a small town in Oregon. It chronicles schooling quandaries and dinnertime dilemmas, as well as entrepreneurial adventures and family excursions via plane, train, automobile, and blue cruiser bike. Entertaining and compelling—but never shrill or dogmatic—Notes from a Blue Bike invites you to climb on your own bike, pay attention to who you are and what your family needs, and make some important choices. It’s a risky ride, but it’s worth it—living your life according to who you really are simply takes a little intention. It’s never too late.