Freedom My Son

"In the follow-up to ... A Stolen Life, [kidnapping survivor] Jaycee Dugard tells the story of her first experiences after years in captivity: the joys that accompanied her newfound freedom and the challenges of adjusting to life on her own"--Provided by publisher.

Celebrate the freedom to read with this timely, empowering middle-grade debut in the spirit of The View from Saturday or Frindle. When twelve-year-old June Harper's parents discover what they deem an inappropriate library book, they take strict parenting to a whole new level. And everything June loves about Dogwood Middle School unravels: librarian Ms. Bradshaw is suspended, an author appearance is canceled, the library is gutted, and all books on the premises must have administrative approval. But June can't give up books . . . and she realizes she doesn't have to when she spies a Little Free Library on her walk to school. As the rules become stricter at school and at home, June keeps turning the pages of the banned books that continue to appear in the little library. It's a delicious secret . . . and one she can't keep to herself. June starts a banned book library of her own in an abandoned locker at school. The risks grow alongside her library's popularity, and a movement begins at Dogwood Middle--a movement that, if exposed, could destroy her. But if it's powerful enough, maybe it can save Ms. Bradshaw and all that she represents: the freedom to read. Equal parts fun and empowering, this novel explores censorship, freedom of speech, and activism. For any kid who doesn't believe one person can effect change...and for all the kids who already know they can!

My Own Way is a poem and a picture book that introduces very young children to the wonder of gender diversity. Why feel limited to his or hers, blue or pink, football or ballet?

Freedom, My Son took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. A place people referred to as the city that never sleeps. The birthplace of Jazz and the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans can be an exciting place to live, but for this mother, it was a struggle just to get by day after day. Jolene had endured domestic violence for ten years. She had hoped that by getting out while she could and while her children were young enough, it would make a difference in their lives and save them from experiencing the horrible ordeal. She was wrong, because Freedom, My Son will show you how children could be exposed to violence at such a young age and how it would carry into their adulthood. For every mother, Freedom, My Son is a reflection of all of our lives. This remarkable book will show the grief, losses, and coping with the reality that we sometimes deal in life with unbearable pain. The cycle began with her mother that lived a violent life with her father. Jolene thought that this was a normal way for husbands and wives to live. She thought that if she could get her children out of that relationship early, it would make a difference, but her son was watching and learning with each fight and fuss. He was taking mental notes and seeing how much control his father had over his mother and the fear she carried. In his mind, he believed that violence was a good thing, and he would always have control. Freedom, My Son tells the story of the authors own experiences of domestic violence and how it affected the male child of her family. Not only domestic violence is addressed, murder suicide is an issue as well. As you read this story, the author hopes that if any woman has a child that is involved in an abusive marriage or relationship, she can see how it has an effect on the children. Readers, listen to the warning signs of your children like violent behavior, giving up on life, their actions in school, or aggressiveness toward their mother. Then you need to get out or get help. I hope this book, Freedom, My Son, will be in every bookstore in the United States and abroad.

Biography of Joan Trumpauer Mulholland follows her from her childhood in 1950s Virginia through her high school and college years, when she joined the Civil Rights Movement, attending demonstrations and sit-ins. She also participated in the Freedom Rides of 1961 and was arrested and imprisoned. Her life has been spent standing up for human rights.

In 1915, the United States experienced the 9/11 of its time. A German torpedo sank the Lusitania killing nearly 2,000 innocent passengers. The ensuing hysteria helped draw the United States into World War I—the bitter, brutal conflict that became known as the Great War and the War to End All Wars. But as U.S. troops fought to make the world safe for democracy abroad, our own government eroded freedoms at home, especially for German-Americans. Free speech was no longer an operating principle of American democracy. Award-winning author Ann Bausum asks, just where do Americans draw the line of justice in times of war? Drawing thought-provoking parallels with President Wilson’s government and other wartime administrations, from FDR to George W. Bush, Bausum’s analysis has plenty of history lessons for the world today. Her exhaustive research turns up astonishing first-person stories and rare images, and the full-color design is fresh and stunning. The result is a gripping book that is well-positioned for the run-up to the World War I centennial. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Pastor, author, and father Walter Wangerin Jr., along with his adopted son, Matthew, tell the story of their own lifelong relationship and how they survived times when brokenness and bitterness seemed inevitable. It is the story of Matthew's desperate search for independence and his father's own search for authentic fatherhood.

A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist. Henry Brown doesn't know how old he is. Nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays. All the time he dreams about freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom.

There were signs all throughout town telling eight-year-old Connie where she could and could not go. But when Connie sees four young men take a stand for equal rights at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, she realizes that things may soon change. This event sparks a movement throughout her town and region. And while Connie is too young to march or give a speech, she helps her brother and sister make signs for the cause. Changes are coming to Connie’s town, but Connie just wants to sit at the lunch counter and eat a banana split like everyone else.

"BRAVE BOOKS is empowering today's youth with conservative values so that the next generation will be filled with strong and discerning leaders."--Back cover.