How do you bridge the gap between the life you remember as a child and a new life that circumstances have thrust upon you? Can the gap between living on one continent and adapting to life on another ever be fully embraced? Young Sammy is uprooted from his home in Zimbabwe and all that he has held dear. Some relationships are made stronger by the move. His aunt Maggie and the African, Morris who was born in the same province of Matabeleland, become his support. New friendships are forged. The deep compassion given by Jeffery, in California, helps him break through old resistance, especially with the troubling relationship with Maggie's friend, Peter. The path of finding peace and acceptance is the journey Sammy faces, that brings him full circle back to the home he was forced to leave. The heartfelt story of moving to South Africa and then to the United States--of finding forgiveness and learning to love--is one that many can relate to. Many, like Sammy, Maggie, and Morris, have chosen or been forced to leave the countries of their birth. Both sweet and painful memories carve the path to embracing what has been, while striving forward to create a brighter future.

A dynamic account of ornithological history in America’s heartland. Today, more than fifty million Americans traipse through wetlands at dawn, endure clouds of mosquitoes, and brave freezing autumn winds just to catch a glimpse of a bird. The human desire to connect with winged creatures defies age and generation. In the Midwest, humans and birds have lived together for more than twelve thousand years. Taking Flight explores how and why people have worshipped, feared, studied, hunted, eaten, and protected the birds that surrounded them. Author and birder Michael Edmonds has combed archaeological reports, missionaries’ journals, travelers’ letters, early scientific treatises, the memoirs of American Indian elders, and the folklore of hunters, farmers, and formerly enslaved people throughout the Midwest to reveal how our ancestors thought about the very same birds we see today. Whether you’re a casual bird-watcher, a hard-core life-lister, or simply someone who loves the outdoors, you’ll look at birds differently after reading this book.

A small town in Virginia goes to war with the Confederacy. A young woman joins the regiment to be with her true love. This powerful tale follows the lady as she participates in the major battles. We share her experiences and emotions during the conflict.

From the award-winning birder and author of Birds of Prey, an authoritative, information-packed guide to distinguishing North American birds. In this book, bursting with more information than any field guide could hold, the well-known author and birder Pete Dunne introduces readers to the “Cape May School of Birding.” It's an approach to identification that gives equal or more weight to a bird's structure and shape and the observer's overall impression (often called GISS, for General Impression of Size and Shape) than to specific field marks. After determining the most likely possibilities by considering such factors as habitat and season, the birder uses characteristics such as size, shape, color, behavior, flight pattern, and vocalizations to identify a bird. The book provides an arsenal of additional hints and helpful clues to guide a birder when, even after a review of a field guide, the identification still hangs in the balance. This supplement to field guides shares the knowledge and skills that expert birders bring to identification challenges. Birding should be an enjoyable pursuit for beginners and experts alike, and Pete Dunne combines a unique playfulness with the work of identification. Readers will delight in his nicknames for birds, from the Grinning Loon and Clearly the Bathtub Duck to Bronx Petrel and Chicken Garnished with a Slice of Mango and a Dollop of Raspberry Sherbet.

Illustrating the unique character of the state through a combination of facts, stats, and history, as well as the unusual and quirky! Beer, cheese, lakes, rivers, cabins, and cities. With a diverse geography, beautiful natural wonders, and vibrant cities, tourism naturally plays a major role in Wisconsin’s economy, and its nickname, “America's Dairyland,” speaks to the importance of agriculture. Of course, cheeseheads abound in Green Bay and throughout the state, as do the Effigy Mounds—burial mounds—in the form of animals or birds of the Woodland Indians. The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book takes an in-depth look at the state’s variety, along with its fascinating history, people, myths, culture, and trivia. Covering its industries, politicians, arts, media, culture, and, of course, sports dynasties and legends, it brings the state’s past and present to life. Learn about the earliest people in the Great Lakes area, the Paleo-Indian People, French explorers, traders, the Paul Bunyan “myth,” today’s numerous ethnic festivals, including Brat(wurst) Days, Polka Days, Cheese Days, and the Wisconsin Highland Games. Uncover surprising fun facts like Brett Farve's first forward pass for the Packers was caught by ... Brett Favre! From log-rolling, the state capital in Madison and its politics, famous breweries, major manufacturers Kohler Company, Johnson Controls, John Deere, Caterpillar Inc. and Harley-Davidson motorcycles to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Willem Dafoe, Georgia O’Keeffe, the infamous Jeffrey Dahmer, Al Jarreau, and other notable people and places, The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book answers to nearly 1,400 questions the Badger State’s unique and interesting history, people, and places, including: Why is Wisconsin called “Wisconsin”? How much snow falls in Wisconsin? What is the Wisconsin state dance? Which Native American tribes called Wisconsin home? Was there a Civil War POW camp in Wisconsin? How did log rolling become a sport? Why was the Oleomargarine Act supported by nearly every farmer in the Dairy State? What was the Day the Music Died? How many acres of State Forests does Wisconsin have? Was Paul Bunyan a real person? Where is the Pabst Mansion located? What is the most popular attraction in the state? How many beer festivals are there in Wisconsin? Where is Roundy’s headquartered? Which waterway is most important to Wisconsin? Which political party held sway in Wisconsin when the state was formed? What caused so much controversy in the redistricting of 2010? What is unique about Wisconsin’s capitol building? Where did the Green Bay Packers get their name? How much did each winning player make for playing in Superbowl I? How much milk does it take to make one pound of butter? How many towns in Wisconsin claim to be the UFO Capital of the World? The Handy Wisconsin Answer Book answers these and more intriguing questions about people, places, events, government, and places of interest! It's an informative and fun look at the Badger State, people, history, and culture.