Handsprings 2024: Virtual Bookstore

Based on the true story of one family's struggle for voting rights in the civil rights-era South, this moving tale shines an emotional spotlight on a dark facet of U.S. history.

On his first train ride, Michael meets a new friend from the "whites only" car--but finds they can hang together for only part of the trip--in the last story in a trilogy about the author's life growing up in the segregated South.

Celebrate seventy-five years of the NBA in this exciting and beautifully illustrated middle grade account of the legendary athletes, coaches, and teams that changed basketball forever and created a national phenomenon enjoyed by millions today.

A lush and lyrical biography of Harriet Tubman, written in verse and illustrated by James Ransome, winner of the Coretta Scott King medal for The Creation.

The final novel in the award-winning Finding Langston trilogy from Coretta Scott King Author Honoree and Scott O'Dell Award medalist Lesa Cline-Ransome.

Here is the story of how two musical prodigies from very different backgrounds grew up, were brought together by the love of music, and helped to create the jazz style known as swing.

From award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome and acclaimed illustrator Raúl Colón comes the sensitive, informative, and inspiring picture book biography of the remarkable mathematician Katherine Johnson, one of the NASA "human computers" whose work was critical to the first US space launch.

The "informative, resounding" (Booklist, starred review), and "inspiring" (The Horn Book, starred review) story of a groundbreaking civil rights leader John Lewis comes to life in this compelling and beautifully told, "excellent" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) nonfiction picture book by the award-winning team Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome.

When eleven-year-old Langston's father moves them from their home in Alabama to Chicago's Bronzeville district, it feels like he's giving up everything he loves.

An interracial friendship between two teenaged girls goes tragically wrong in this powerful historical novel set in the Jim Crow South.

Education means true emancipation in this powerful story set in the rural post-Civil War South, written and illustrated by an award-winning author/artist team.

Venus and Serena Williams are two of the greatest tennis players of all time. Some say they're two of the greatest athletes of all time. Before they were world famous, they were little girls with big dreams.

He was born "Black, poor, and lucky." The glowing story of "Satchmo"--the great jazz musician, Louis Armstrong.

Behind every bad boy is a story worth hearing and at least one chance for redemption. It's 1946 and Lymon, uprooted from his life in the Deep South and moved up North, needs that chance.

"History shines" (School Library Journal, starred review) in this inspirational, "vibrantly colored, boisterous, and well-paced" (Booklist, starred review) picture book biography of trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman in Congress and the first woman and African American to enter the Democratic presidential race, by award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome.

This powerful and inspiring collection features 21 female trailblazers in their sport, perfect for fans of Women in Sports and Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls!

From the award-winning author of Before She Was Harriet comes another work of lyrical beauty, the story of Henry David Thoreau and businessman Frederic Tudor--and a changing world.

Three women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free--or cost them everything they have--in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement.

A window into a child's experience of the Great Migration from the award-winning creators of Before She Was Harriet and Finding Langston.

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome, readers learn about the amazing life of Claudette Colvin--and how she persisted.

Brassy, smokey, melodious. There's nothing like the saxophone. This incredible work from the award-winners behind Before She was Harriet includes a poster of jazz music's greatest talents.

In this stirring and powerfully illustrated story, an enslaved young man uses his ability to read and write to educate others in the pursuit of freedom.

The inspirational, true story of how Frederick Douglass found his way to freedom one word at a time.

How did a poor boy named Edson--who kicked rocks down roads and dribbled balls made from rags--go on to become the greatest soccer player of all time? Here is the story of the boy who with great determination, lightning speed, and amazing skill overcame tremendous odds to become the world champion soccer star Pelé.

Take your novel to the next level. You've finished a few manuscripts, read books and articles on writing, taken some classes, attended conferences. But you still struggle with plot, or suspect that your plotting needs work. This book can help.

Set in ancient Egypt, this story of drama and intrigue brings an ancient world to life.

Condemned to be thrown into the Well of Sacrifice, Eveningstar must find a way not only to save her own life but to rescue her family and her city from the tyrannical grasp of Great Skull Zero.

Whether you're just starting out or have some experience, this book will make you a better writer – and encourage you to have fun! The fascinating world of Kid Lit awaits!

James Ransome's glorious art celebrates jazz icon Sonny Rollins and how he found an inspired spot to practice his saxophone when his neighbors complained.

The unbeatable team of Deborah Hopkinson and James E. Ransome present a riveting brick-by-brick account of how one of the most amazing accomplishments in American architecture came to be.

Mama's away one night, and her son can't sleep. He tries to relax by counting stars, but the more of them he sees, the more determined he is to count every single one...

An award-winning retelling of the Biblical creation story from a star of the Harlem Renaissance and an acclaimed illustrator.

This jazz-inspired reinvention of The Nutcracker is a worthy tribute to the dreamlike wonder and magic of the Christmas season.

A young girl's beloved uncle is a talented barber without a shop who never gives up on his dream in this richly illustrated, stirring picture book.

In this inspiring story in the tradition of American black folktales, an enslaved brother and sister are inspired by a majestic and mysterious bird to escape to freedom in this dramatic and unforgettable picture book.

Discover the early life and legacy of groundbreaking American writer Toni Morrison in this beautifully illustrated and "awe-inspiring" (School Library Journal, starred review) nonfiction picture book biography.

A young slave girl witnesses the heartbreak and hopefulness of her family and their plantation community when her brother escapes for freedom in this brilliantly conceived picture book by Coretta Scott King Award winner James E. Ransome.

Jaiden and Skye, an escaped blue dragon, encounter each other and a close, friendly relationship develops as the blue dragon with the young man's help escapes servitude towing a Dragon Train. But can the pair free her family and escape to a far northern land where dragons may live free?

Dragon Train Rebellion picks up the story two years after the end of Dragon Train (Book 1). The Blues, Silver and Gold Dragons of Septrion hoped to free all dragons and stop the abuse. But when humans abduct Skye and Caerulus' children, the time came to stand up for Dragon Freedom!

Jaiden's simple act of freeing Skye, the blue dragon, along with her family became a movement to free all dragons. And that escalated to a rebellion. Now, all-out war seems to be the only solution.

Written for ages 8 to 108, this heart-warming and thoughtful story concerns the adventures of Trixie the Brown Dog as she goes from a hoarding situation with 23 dogs--including her 8 puppies--to life as a rescue dog with her new family.

Trixie’s adventure, fun and drama continue as she becomes more confident and bonds with her people.

A highly illustrated middle-grade series that celebrates new friendships, first crushes, and getting out of your comfort zone.

Book #2 in this highly illustrated middle-grade series explores what it means to be a team player.

The highly illustrated Derby Daredevils middle-grade series by writer Kit Rosewater and illustrator Sophie Escabasse continues in Book 3, Tomoko Takes the Lead, as shy Tomoko and the team attend roller derby summer camp in nearby Dallas, Texas.

From nonfiction stars Diane Stanley and Jessie Hartland comes a beautifully illustrated biography of Ada Lovelace, who is known as the first computer programmer.

From the team behind the acclaimed Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science comes a delicious and "lively" (Booklist, starred review) nonfiction picture book biography about pioneering chef Alice Waters who kickstarted the organic food movement.

When she finds out about a terrible plot that threatens the kingdom, Bella sets out on a journey that will lead her to a destiny far greater than she could have imagined.

From master storyteller Diane Stanley comes a spellbinding tale, based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, of two princes—one chosen, one lost—and a mysterious girl on a magical island, all caught in a great web of destiny.

In this spirited new version of a classic fairy tale, we meet a determined heroine with a mind of her own. Can she help it if everyone she invites over is too bossy or too boring or too snobby or too rough? What Goldie desperately wants is a friend she can love with all her heart. And one day, she finds one who's just right.

Against the fascinating tapestry of Frances history during the Hundred Years' War, Diane Stanley unfolds the story of the simple thirteen-year-old village girl who in Just a few years would lead France to independence from English rule, and thus become a symbol of France's national pride. It is a story of vision and bravery, fierce determination, and tragic martyrdom.

A heartfelt and magical middle grade novel in the tradition of Tuck Everlasting and Bridge to Terabithia, about family, wishes, and the power of true friends to work magic.

In this magnificent addition to a distinguished series that includes Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, and Bard of Avon: The Story of William Shakespeare, award-winning author-artist Diane Stanley blends wonderful storytelling with gorgeous illustrations to convey the stunning scope of Leonardo da Vinci's genius in a book that has won many awards and earned two starred reviews.

With her thoroughly researched, lively narrative and superbly detailed illustrations, Diane Stanley has captured the life of the artist Michelangelo, who towered above the late Renaissance--and whose brilliance in architecture, painting, and sculpture amazes and moves us to this day.

Can Franny and her friends Cal, Brooklyn, and Prescott un-ravel the Allbright Academy's secret, or will they, too, succumb to its eerie perfection?

Kids all over the country are acting strangely after reading the latest books in the mega-popular Chillers series. Franny is determined to track down the mysterious author and find out once and for all if the books really are causing all the trouble. After all, a book can't be that dangerous, can it?

As a new wave of protests sweeps the nation and the world, young readers will be inspired by these accounts of activists who refused to be ignored.

In Diane Stanley's merry rethinking of the traditional tale, Rumpelstiltskin and the miller's daughter are wed...and then sixteen years later their only daughter is stuck in the same dilemma: She's been locked in a room full of straw to spin for a greedy king! She could call for help from her father, but this fairy-tale heroine has some canny plans of her own.

The country is at war, terrorists strike at random, widespread rationing is in effect, and the power grid is down. But thirteen-year-old Sky Brightman is remarkably untouched by it all--until a string of mysterious arrests begins and Sky's new friend, Kareem, becomes a target.

The time by the lake is everything perfect about a childhood summer...and maybe it also holds the answers Max needs. Give this tender middle grade novel to readers who love the mystery, friendships, and touches of magic in novels by Rebecca Stead and Laurel Snyder!

Don't miss The Silver Bowl, which received three starred reviews, was named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews and Book Links Lasting Connections, and was an ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice.

Readers who love the adventure in Megan Whalen Turner’s Newbery Honor novel The Thief will be captivated by Molly’s dangerous magical quest in this thrilling sequel to Diane Stanley’s novel The Silver Bowl.

The thrilling story that began with the acclaimed novels The Silver Bowl and The Cup and the Crown comes to a spectacular and surprising conclusion in The Princess of Cortova.

Wouldn't it be great to be part of that famous Thanksgiving feast at Plymouth Plantation back in 1621? Then join the Time-Traveling Twins as they sit down to an enormous FOUR-DAY feast, complete with puddings, pompions, pottages, and, of course, turkeys.

Celebrate 400 years of Shakespeare's legacy with this repackage of award-winning author Diane Stanley's tribute to the world-famous playwright William Shakespeare.

In their lovingly researched, incisively written biography, illustrated with a lushness and attention to period detail of which Dickens would have approved, Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema illuminate his inspirations, his impact on nations of readers, and his gleaming genius that has only brightened with time.

In this latest of their "distinguished storybook biographies" ( "New York Times" ), the authors' meticulous text and Ms. Stanley's majestic illustrations capture the brilliance of Cleopatra's life.

In this welcome reissue, celebrated author and illustrator Diane Stanley and her husband, Peter Vennema, paint an impressive portrait of the remarkable queen who loved her people so dearly and ruled them so well. Elizabeth's forceful personality, colorful court, and devoted subjects come vividly to life in this stellar picture-book biography.

In a picture-book biography acclaimed for both its accuracy and beauty, Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema describe how Shaka, a brilliant military strategist, rose from humble beginnings to lead a mighty people nearly two centuries ago.

The remarkable true story of how former slave Isabella Baumfree transformed herself into the preacher and orator Sojourner Truth, an iconic figure of the abolitionist and women's rights movements.

Fatima Tate wants to be a baker AND enjoy some innocent flirting with her hot friend Raheem--but her strict Muslim parents would never approve of either...

Featuring a dual narrative of the key moments of Dr. King's life alongside a modern class as the students learn about him, Carole Weatherford's poetic text encapsulates the moments that readers today can reenact in their own lives.

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award for Young Adult Literature. A gripping middle grade biography of Charlotte Salomon, and an ode to how art can capture both life’s everyday beauty and its monumental horrors.

The story of one family's journey north during the Great Migration starts with a little girl in South Carolina who finds a rope under a tree one summer.

A clever twist on Sleeping Beauty for emergent readers.

Do you have little ones in your life struggling to live with a new brother or sister? Now is the time to meet Munchkin and her little sister Buttercup!

This moving and eloquent set of poems, brought to life by vivid and colorful artwork from Michele Wood, offers a timeless witness to the hardship endured by America’s slaves. Each poem is supplemented by a historical note.

Enslaved African Americans longed for freedom, and that longing took many forms–including music. Drawing on biblical imagery, slave songs both expressed the sorrow of life in bondage and offered a rallying cry for the spirit. Like a Bird brings together text, music, and illustrations by Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Michele Wood to convey the rich meaning behind thirteen of these powerful songs.

A touching story about Japanese American children who corresponded with their beloved librarian while they were imprisoned in World War II internment camps.

Dave and his team--Sherpa sirdar Chhering Dorjee, assistant guide JJ Justman, base-camp manager Mark Tucker, and the eight clients who had trained for the privilege to attempt to summit with Dave Hahn--spent weeks honing the techniques that would help keep them alive through the Icefall and the Death Zone. None of this could have prepared them for the earthquake that shook Everest and all of their lives on the morning of April 25, 2015. Shook tells their story of resilience, nerve, and survival on the deadliest day on Everest.

Henri Standing Bear is a beautiful quarter horse born on a New Mexico cattle ranch. He lives his days as a working cow horse until a horrific accident changes his life. How does he move forward after pain and loss? His story is one of resiliency and finding purpose.

Alis and her parents make the long journey from England to settle the New World. But it doesn't go as planned and Alis, her parents, and the others of their small community soon find themselves at odds with the Roanoke tribe. As tensions rise between the settlers and the Native peoples, twelve-year-old Alis forms an impossible friendship with a Roanoke named Kimi. Despite language barriers, the two become as close as sisters, risking their lives for one another until Alis makes a decision that will change her life forever.

In this riveting coming-of-age survival story in verse perfect for fans of Alan Gratz, a fire lookout-in-training must find her courage when a wildfire breaks out on her watch.

Hoping to strike it rich, two brothers escape an abusive father and set out on a treacherous journey to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush.

A traveling medicine show promises to cure all, but two kids learn it takes more than faith in the miraculous to fix things that are broken.

Publishing in time for the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, here is a beautiful read-aloud about animal families preparing for an impending storm in their bayou habitat.

The true story of two women who raced against time—and each other!

According to legend, Will Cody (later known as America's greatest showman, Buffalo Bill) rode for the Pony Express at the age of fifteen. His most famous ride, recounted in this lyrical verse story, covered 322 miles, required 21 horses, and took over 21 hours to complete.