The True Story of a Real-Life Hero

It’s World War II. Darkness has fallen over Europe as the Nazis spread hatred, fear and war across the globe. But on a quiet city corner in the Netherlands, one woman fights against the darkness.

In her quiet watchmaking shop, she and her family risk their lives to hide Jews, and others hunted by the Nazis, in a secret room, a “hiding place” that they built in the old building.

One day, however, Corrie and her family are betrayed. They’re captured and sent to the notorious Nazi concentration camps to die. Yet even in that darkest of places, Corrie still fights.

This is her story–and the story of how faith, hope and love ultimately triumphed over unthinkable evil.

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No one escapes the challenges of childhood, but we can conquer them! Highlighting noted “at-risk” youth in the Bible and sharing his own story of growing up in poverty amid crime and violence, Rev. Romal Tune details how obstacles can become opportunities through faith. In God’s Graffiti, he will help you:

•Stop past pain and failure from hindering your future
•Value good and bad experiences and use them as building blocks for success
•Deal with your anger and fear to become emotionally whole and healthy
•Restore broken relationships and see the victory in God

Both practical and inspirational, this Bible study celebrates men and women in Scripture who left troubled pasts behinds to claim purpose-filled futures!

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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. After breaking or tying more than sixty records in hockey, it’s no wonder that Wayne Gretzky is known as “”The Great One.”” Born in Brantford, Ontario, on January 26, 1961, in a nation obsessed with the sport, he threw himself into the game practically from the time he first laced up a pair of skates. When he retired from the NHL in 1999, he had led several teams to Stanley Cup victories, competed in the Olympics, and changed the way hockey was played forever. Known for his love for family and as a truly decent human being, Wayne Gretzky is revealed as more than a sports legend in this easy-to-read biography.

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“Novosel’s autobiographical narrative of self-determination inspires and delights, in large part because it isn’t a lofty tale of grandiose achievement but a humble one; he merely wants, and earns, a chance to show what he’s got.”  – Publisher’s Weekly

“The perfect book to help you inspire your kids and grandkids… while re-inspiring yourself!” – Rick “Shaq” Goldstein, author of 669 reviews for Amazon

Based on actual events, FIELDHOUSE is a story of embracing adversity through challenges, teamwork, perseverance, grit, determination, and a positive attitude!

Fieldhouse follows Scotty Novosel on his journey to play basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks. What he lacks in size he makes up for in heart, but countless obstacles and a devastating setback push his dream further and further out of reach… With incredible persistence, positive energy, and help from a cast of endearing characters, Scotty discovers just what it takes to transform vision into reality!

In March 1995, Scott Novosel started for the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 8 Championship game. For the next 20 years, through endless determination and a mantra of never giving up, Scott completed the all ages graphic novel FIELDHOUSE with the help of the Eisner Award nominated artist Sam Sharpe. Together the duo produced an instant classic! The story of the making of the book was featured on Sports Illustrated.

Find out why parents, teachers, librarians, parents, and grandparents are declaring FIELDHOUSE a “MUST READ!

(Scott Novosel)

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Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag breaks or is no longer needed? In Njau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way. One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred.

The bags accumulated in ugly heaps alongside roads. Water pooled in them, bringing mosquitoes and disease. Some bags were burned, leaving behind a terrible smell. Some were buried, but they strangled gardens. They killed livestock that tried to eat them. Something had to change.

Isatou Ceesay was that change. She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community. This inspirational true story shows how one person’s actions really can make a difference in our world.

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In this first view of China adoption from a child’s perspective, eight-year-old Ying Ying Fry returns to her orphanage to remember what it is like and to write a story so that other adopted children will understand where they came from. Kids Like Me in China combines real-life photos with the forthright observations and complex feelings of an adopted child as she meets caregivers and befriends children in the city where her life began. This book will inspire all adopted children to take charge of their own life stories.

Eight-year-old Ying Ying Fry is a Chinese American girl growing up in San Francisco. But her story didn’t begin there. Like lots of kids she knows, Ying Ying spent her first months in China–in a birth family she cannot remember and an orphanage in Changsha, Hunan province, where her American parents adopted her when she was a tiny baby.

When Ying Ying goes back to visit Changsha, she can’t wait to see her orphanage caregiver–someone who knew her and loved her when she lived in China. Meeting Li Ayi is just the beginning, as Ying Ying discovers points of connection with all the orphanage children–babies, toddlers and school-age kids. Outside the orphanage she visits children at home, at playgrounds and at school, and these friendships too help her see her life story in a new light. A child of two countries, Ying Ying is determined to claim both as her own.

Kids Like Me in China combines real-life photos with the forthright observations and complex feelings of an adopted child as she ponders what her early life might have been like. The first view of China adoption from a child’s perspective, Kids Like Me will inspire all adopted children to take charge of their own life stories.

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When author/illustrator Lita Judge found hundreds of tracings of feet in her grandmother’s attic, she was intrigued and moved to share the story behind them.

One Thousand Tracings tells that story. In the aftermath of World War II a family in America established contact with a family in Germany and to help them sent them supplies, including shoes. The German family was extremely grateful and asked if their American friends would help others in Europe. Soon shoe tracings from all over the continent started pouring in to the modest Midwest farm. The network of families helping from the U.S. started to grow so that ultimately hundreds of people on both sides of the Atlantic were touched by this remarkable process.

Illustrated with a combination of paintings and collages of original photographs and foot tracings, this moving story is a granddaughter’s tender tribute to her grandparent’s who organized this relief effort.  By sending hope and kindness they began healing the wounds of war. It is powerful reminder of the importance of humanitarianism during wartime.

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Please see the book – ANN SILVER: Deaf Artist Series ISBN: 978-0985698232 by Empyreal Press (empyrealpress.com) for an updated version (new in October 2014) using much of the information from this book. This book is now a collector’s item as it is the original book about the life and art of Ann Silver. The book gives you entré into the life and art of an incredible woman who has done much with her life. She has traveled the world. She has met several presidents and prime ministers. She has charmed her way into situations and into places few would imagine possible for anyone. To say that she is a remarkable person is to miss the mark. While barely 20 and an undergraduate, along with a few others, she started the Deaf Art Movement. By 25 her artwork had been published in over 10 books. By 40 she had created an international symbol of sign language interpreting, and had her design work published on over 2000 book covers. By 45, after rededicating her life to studio art, she had completed over 150 pieces and defined a new art genre: Deaf Pop Art. She has taken more photographs of famous people using the ILY sign than most people can name. She found herself in Japan and within days of her arrival was living with a Deaf host family and being interviewed on Japanese TV. She has chutzpah, wit, and style in her 5 foot frame. When I tell you she has been Deaf from birth, I expect some readers will be more impressed. As Silver would say, “Pfft. Get over yourself.” Being Deaf is a part of her, like being born Jewish or being born a lesbian. It isn’t amazing that she’s done what she’s done because she’s Deaf. She is just amazing. This book is an art biography because it is about her art, but it is also about her life. It reads in chronological format, starting with her birth and leads the reader through various stages in her life and artwork up to the present.

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By popular demand, the 100th Who Was…? subject is Steve Irwin!

Steve Irwin did not have a typical childhood. Born in Melbourne, Australia, on February 22, 1962, he was raised on the wildlife park his parents owned. He cared for the animals and especially loved reptiles–he got a python for his sixth birthday! At nine years old, Steve was already helping his father wrestle small crocodiles. He became a crocodile trapper after graduating high school, catching the creatures before dangerous poachers could. Steve met his wife, Terri, at his family’s park, and instead of a honeymoon, the pair filmed a wildlife documentary that led to the creation of the well-known series The Crocodile Hunter. Tragically, Steve was killed on September 4, 2006 while filming a documentary when a stingray attacked, piercing his heart. He was forty-four years old. However, his life’s work obviously still strikes a chord with kids who voted him the winner of the 100th Who Was…? title.

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Lolek is a celebration of the childhood of Pope John Paul II. He was a little boy who, despite tragedy and oppression in his young life during World War II, was a shining example for his peers and adults alike. Pope John Paul II was a world class freedom fighter, campaigning for world peace as a human rights advocate and defender of the oppressed. During his combat against world poverty, he taught that every life is precious no matter one’s nationality or religious belief, whether one is rich or poor, young or old. One of Lolek’s greatest achievements was the downfall of Communism in Europe. He encouraged people to feel their own power, and the power of faith led to the freedom of half a continent. Children 4-12 years.

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Princess Gabby Girl and the Sparkly Dress is a story about a little Princess who loves to dance around the palace and discovers a gorgeous, sparkly, magic dress and Miss Marvelous in the magic mirror.  She finds happiness comes by sharing and caring for others. Her good deeds cause her dress to shine brighter but she is told by Miss Marvelous it will get dark if she forgets.  She is so happy when her dress is sparkling but as soon as she focuses only on herself the dress becomes dull and dingy. She begins to forget all about her promise to Miss Marvelous.  Her frustration grows as her dress continues to get darker and it appears to be beyond repair.  The Princess gives up on trying to fix the dress and then with the help of Miss Marvelous she realizes that her true sparkle and true happiness comes from helping others.  Once again she lights up her home, her village and her world!

The theme of the book is based around Matthew 5:14-16.  The message of those verses, “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see.” resonates though this beautiful book.

This is a lovely message and a fun way for kids to think about spreading kindness.  It also, encourages readers to find their own happiness in helping others and sparkling in their own world.  Kids, Parents & Grandparents will love this delightful, unique and creative message!

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In 1940, Fala came to live with President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the White House. On sunny days, the little dog played in the grass outside the Oval Office. He attended important meetings with the president s advisors. At night, the president and Fala often dined together.

But as the world slipped further into war and America was drawn into the conflict, life at the White House changed. Fala stayed up late into the night with President Roosevelt. He accompanied the president on journeys across the country and around the world and waited with him for the return of American servicemen and the end to a terrible war.

Author Elizabeth Van Steenwyk offers young readers a glimpse into American history and the life of a U.S. president through the story of a loyal dog. Michael G. Montgomery s full-color illustrations capture the indomitable spirit of Fala and the nation and president who loved him.

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“Big Mike” Clemons is known for many things—touring as a drummer with Usher, Israel & New Breed, Mary J. Blige, and others—as well as producing music and helping others make a name for themselves. However, most people don’t know how this once overweight musician not only became well known, but also embraced a healthy lifestyle that has forever changed him. In My Life In Story, get to know the real Mike Clemons as he tells it like it is, sharing triumphs and failures in a candid and fascinating narrative.

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Why am I still alive? Why was I spared?

One night in 1944, Luba Tryszynska’s questions were answered when she found fifty-four children abandoned behind the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. Luba knew if the Nazis caught her she could be executed.

But they are someone’s children. And they are hungry.

Despite the mortal dangers, Luba and the women of her barracks cared for these orphans thro-ugh a winter of disease, starvation, and war.

Here is the true story of an everyday hero and the children who gave her a reason to live.

My name is Luba Tryszynska-Frederick and this is my story. I never thought of myself as a particularly brave person, certainly not a hero. But I found that inside every human being there is a hero waiting to emerge. I never could have done what I did without the help of many heroes. This story is for them, and for the children. –Luba Tryszynska-Frederick

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Clarissa “Clara” Barton was a shy girl who grew up to become a teacher, nurse, and humanitarian.  At a time when few women worked outside the home, she became the first woman to hold a government job, as a patent clerk in Washington, DC. In 1864, she was appointed “lady in charge” of the hospitals at the front lines of the Union Army, where she became known as the “Angel of the Battlefield.” Clara Barton built a career helping others.  She went on to found the American Red Cross, one of her greatest accomplishments, and one of the most recognized organizations in the world.

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The daughter of a drunken mill worker, Mary Slessor wonders how God can possibly use her. But God is preparing her for more than she knows. With His power and a personality to match her fiery red hair, Mary stands up to African chiefs, adopts abandoned children, and slowly begins to change the hearts of the African people. Prayer and determination pave Mary’s path to trusting God and becoming one of the most cherished missionary “mothers” in the history of Scotland and the world.

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Did You Know …

John Quincy Adams owned a pet alligator? Ulysses S. Grant received a ticket for riding his horse too fast down the streets of Washington, D.C.? Gerald R. Ford briefly worked as a fashion model?

You are invited on a totally unique journey through presidential history with Juliette Turner, the National Youth Director of Constituting America. Through fun cartoons, quotes, great graphics, and Juliette’s quirky sense of humor, you’ll discover tons of fun new facts about the presidents of the United States and the role of the executive branch. These aren’t just a bunch of old men in suits! Many of them were ordinary people like you who overcame trials in order to become America’s leader, and all of them entered the political arena with the goal of protecting the country they loved. Written for kids by a kid, Juliette’s passion and excitement breathes new life into American history and the role of one of the most powerful positions in the world.

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Written for readers age 10 and up — enjoyed by adults!

C.T. and his companion were lost in the African jungle. All the warning others had given the two missionaries rushed into C.T.’s mind. He had the uneasy sensation of being watched. C.T. shivered as he stared into the dense foliage surrounding him. He was exposed on all sides, clearly visible to anything or anyone concealed in the jungle.

Endowed with rare determination and a wry sense of humor, C.T. Studd unceasingly pursued a life devoted to God. A star English cricket player in his youth, C.T. did nothing halfway. When challenged by near tragedy and the words of an atheist, the wealthy young man became a missionary of exteme devotion.

Serving in China, India, and finally Central Africa, C.T. Studd was the first missionary to reach numerous tribes deep in the congo. Together with the mission he founded, Worldwide Evangelization Crusade, this man who refused to retreat opened a way for Africans to hear the gospel for years to come.

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Over the course of American history, there have been only four presidents who have been forced to sacrifice their lives for their country at the hands of an assassin. These great men have not been forgotten, and their stories are told here in fascinating detail for history lovers of all ages. But those four presidents are not the only ones who have been close to death in the line of duty to the American people. This book, A Children’s Illustrated History of Presidential Assassination, delves into all of the major assassination attempts throughout the history of the United States, in vivid detail, illustrated by Erin Kubinek.

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It’s Christmas Eve 722, and Kristoph, a young orphan boy, is accompanying the missionary priest Boniface through the German countryside. They are hurrying to reach the next village by nightfall when they come upon a group of people in the forest worshiping an oak tree and preparing to sacrifice the son of the village chieftain. To prove that the oak is powerless and that there is only One True God, Boniface miraculously fells the giant tree with a single ax stroke. In its place stands an evergreen. Calling it “the tree of the Christ Child,” he instructs the men to mend their lives and take the tree home where it will shelter “loving gifts and lights of kindness.” Now rescued, the son of the village chieftain invites Boniface and Kristoph to share Christmas with his family …around another evergreen that Kristoph cuts down for their own celebration.

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Taylor marched up to the woman behind the front desk and went into gear. “Hi! I’m Taylor Swift! I’m eleven and I want a record deal!” She handed the woman her CD. “Call me!” she said and flashed her a cheery smile.
“She thought I was cute,” Taylor said when she was back in the car. “The usual Go away and come back when you’re eighteen.”
Taylor stared out the side window as her mother drove slowly down Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee. As they passed by the famous Bluebird Cafe, she said, “Someday I’m going to sing here.”

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In the sixth installment of GymnStars, the award-winning children’s biography series chronicles the career and personal life of Simone Biles, the young gymnast who shattered numerous gymnastics’ records en route to becoming a three-time world champion and an Olympic favorite.

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Christmas is eagerly awaited by Lulu, a young girl living in a small Wisconsin town during the Great Depression. Anticipation is transformed into anxiety when Daddy loses his job, doubts about Santa flicker, and that Shirley Temple doll seems further away than ever. Mama reveals her own brutal Christmas as an orphan, adding new worries. But it’s Lulu’s deep faith and vibrant hope that keeps her looking forward to each new day and the glorious gift of Christmas. In her touching memoir, Ludmilla Bollow, an award-winning playwright and novelist, recounts the year before her family’s toughest Christmas. There’s a haunting encounter with freaks at a circus sideshow, the heartbreaking loss of the town’s recluse who was committed to finding true love, a disastrous Thanksgiving at Grandma’s, and, of course, the long-awaited Christmas! Lulu’s spirit of love and joy radiates throughout this emotional recall of family life during hard times.

(Ludmilla Bollow)

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For those who may have wondered what happened to Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath families, here is the story of one such family during and after the Great Depression. This book is a memoir, told in a series of short stories–all based on true events–of one boy’s struggle with poverty and near deafness. It reaches out to young adults and all those who labor in the fields of education, counseling and social justice.

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In 1977, graduate student Irene Pepperberg walked into a pet store and bought a year-old African grey parrot. Because she was going to study him, she decided to call him Alex–short for Avian Learning EXperiment. At that time, most scientists thought that the bigger the brain, the smarter the creature; they studied great apes and dolphins. African greys, with their walnut-sized “birdbrains,” were pretty much ignored–until Alex. 

His intelligence surprised everyone, including Irene. He learned to count, add, and subtract; to recognize shapes, sizes, and colors; and to speak, and understand, hundreds of words. These were things no other animal could do. Alex wasn’t supposed to have the brainpower to do them, either. But he did them anyway.

Accompanied by Meilo So’s stunning illustrations, Alex and Irene’s story is one of groundbreaking discoveries about animal intelligence, hard work, and the loving bonds of a unique friendship.

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Before Texas was Texas, it was a lot of things to a lot of different people. Comanche, Choctaw, French, Spanish, Mexican and more laid claim to Texas soil as their own, and no one wanted to share. The fights and alliances that arose out of the colonization of Texas shaped the state’s future. Find out all about the beginning of the state and the colonists who helped pave the way for the Texas we now know. Saddle up with Betsy and George Christian for an interactive, fun chapter in Texas history for kids that challenges them to ask questions about the history they’re told and the world in which they live.

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