Book Description

A vivid portrait of a unique leader who both experienced and influenced the great social and political changes of the first half of the twentieth century. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Outstanding literature
Winston Churchill: Soldier, Statesman, Artist, is an outstanding, and easy to read book for young adults. It is very detailed and not hard to follow along. It basically describes the entire life of Winston Churchill starting even before he was born. It is an amazing book, yet does get dry at points. ... Read more

Book Description

The Parthenon. It was ravaged by the early Christians, occupied by the Turks, and looted by the British. Wars were fought all around it. Plato and Socrates, Phidias and Pericles contemplated philosophy, art, drama, and democracy on its steps. And today its proud, ruined columns stand high above the city of Athens, Greece, the last sentinels of what's often considered to be the most important architectural achievement in the world. The Parthenon is without rival in regard to its beauty, purity of design, and tumultuous history. It grew out of war and strife, political uprisings and financial difficulties, and remains a symbol of what humanity -- at its very best -- is capable of accomplishing.

Lynn Curlee, who won a Robert F. Sibert Informational Honor Book award for Brooklyn Bridge, explores the tremendous history behind one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the Parthenon. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Once there was a little girl--an orphaned African princess--who narrowly escaped death by human sacrifice in a West African village in 1850. A British sea captain named Frederick E. Forbes saved her life by talking King Gezo of Dahomey into giving the girl to Queen Victoria of England as a gift: "She would be a present from the King of the blacks to the Queen of the Whites." As impossible as this tale sounds, it is a true one. Award-winning author Walter Dean Myers--piecing together her story from letters he found in a rare book and ephemera shop in London--paints a hauntingly detached portrait of the small African princess whom the heroic captain named Sarah Forbes Bonetta.

We follow her charmed but unlucky life as the Queen's protégéethrough a succession of British middle-class households, beginning with the Forbes home. Because of her celebrated association and frequent visits with the Queen, Sarah grows up in an unusual position of privilege, education, and celebrity. On the flip side, she is keenly aware that her decisions are not her own, and as a rescued orphan under the Queen's protection, her life's path is dictated by those acting in what they perceive to be her best interests. It is hard not to feel that it was cruel of her protectors to wrench her (more than once in her life) from the adopted family she adores, and eventually to encourage her to marry a West African businessman whom she clearly stated she could never love, and who would take her away from her adopted country. As the epilogue states, "She was both unfortunate in her losses, and fortunate that those losses were not greater.... She seemed to find a measure of comfort wherever she was, but was destined to be apart from the world in which she lived." This story, rich with historic prints, photographs, newspaper clippings, excerpts from Queen Victoria's diary, and Sarah's letters, is both fascinating and tragic. We have Myers to thank for rescuing this fine woman again--this time from the forgotten shelf of a London bookstore. (Ages 11 and older) ... Read more

Reviews (11)

What I Think!
The book, At Her Majesty's Request was the most wonderful book I've read because it tells the story of how Sarah Bonetta overcomed so many problems. First w/ the horror of watching her parents being killed, and then almost being sacrificed by the slave holders because of who she was and where she lived.Then when she was saved by a white man whom she couldn't even understand becase she spoke a different language.And then soon after that she learned how to speak english and then she became friends w/ the Queen of England, Queen Victoria.So the book to me was very heart-warming and I hope you love the book too! Go Wells Wolverines!

A reader from Dallas, Texas
When deciding to buy some books for my kids in elementary school to read, I was intrigued by the title of this book, and I chose it. Reading this book for me was an exhiliarating experience, and I would highly recommend it. The author tried to do justice to the life and history of this admirable African or should I say Nigerian princess (I am biased here), and for the Yoruba folks, she was an Egbado. Her ancestory can be traced to present day Abeokuta, Nigeria.

This book encapsulates the moving story of an African princess, who escaped death from a wicked king in the present day Republic of Benin (Dahomey) courtesy of a British Naval Captain (Frederick Forbes) during the early part of the 19th century. Captain Forbes brought her to England when she was about 6/7years old, where she had a first taste of the British Aristocrats and became known as Sarah Bonetta Forbes. She then had to be sent to Sierra Leone (West Africa) due to illness, having been thought to be unable to withstand the cold weather. In Sierra Leone, she was an astute student in the Female Institution there, and she maintained contact with Queen Victoria. She also met with the famous First African CMS Bishop, Samuel Ajayi Crowther. After about 4 years in Sierra Leone and now about 12 years old, Queen Victoria requested that she be sent back to England. She lived in England until she was about 19 years old. Reading her letters and her experience in England, gave me a personal satisfaction, as I had insight into a potential scholar the world did not really get to know. Sarah undoubtedly was an extremely bright kid, and Captain Forbes conceded that she was ahead of her contemporaries including the caucassian kids she schooled with. After much reluctance, she got married to a West African Business man, Mr Davis. Her marriage then took her back the second time to West Africa where she finally settled in Lagos (Nigeria). She lived and lectured here in another Female Institution until she was about 37/38 years, and had 3 children. Her first child Victoria was named after Queen Victoria, who was also her God-mother. Sarah Bonetta Davis as she became known had a tragic end, dying of Tuberculosis on a Portugese Island, where she was sent to recover. I wonder what happened to her husband Mr Davis and her three children. I think any information available on them and subsequent descendants would certainly complete the story. I congratulate the award winning author of this book, Walter Dean Myers for a job well done.

It was ok............................
first of all: I was going to give this book 3.5 stars, but since thats not an option, I figured, why not stretch the truth a little. OK, Now.....This book was OK I guess. It kinda has a hard story line to follow though, cuz one year shes leavin Africa, within 2 years shes goin back, sumtime later she comes back, sumtime she is forced to get married, the she has a kid. Now, doesnt that kind of (emphasis on kind of) sound confusing. Its also definatly a childrens book. I read it in 5th grade and Im decidin to review it now (dont ask).

Why Isn't Hollywood Calling???
If any literary giant needs to have his work adapted to film, it is Myers. As one of the premier writers of fiction for juveniles, the author has added another significant piece to his long line of classics. This one tells the story of a little-known African princess who comes under the wing of England's legendary Queen Victoria.

Not only does the book reveal the horrors of the African slave trade, the atrocities that some tyrants inflict on their enemies, and the class system that pervades much of a "civilized" society, it is a marvelous tale of a girl who overcomes such obstacles and becomes the darling of English society.

Although Sarah's life is brief, it is a memorable one as the character grows from frightened child to a loving mother.
I am recommending that all my students read this book as well as others by Myers. Now, if only someone in "Tinsel Town" would discover this fine author.

I'd much rather see his stories on the big screen than any about a teenaged wizard.

Good book!
I think this is a very well written book. I think that Walter Dean Myers is an amazing writer and that it is great he found this fantastic girl that many have never heard of. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Best book ever!
When I read the book "Witnesses To War" I couldn't put the book down. I was disgusted by the true Nazi persecution. The book is about collections of the true life stories during the holocaust and the Nazi persecution . One of the stories I liked the best was about the Polish children being tested for Germanization because it was twisted that the Nazi's could capture a child .The parents were helpless. I liked this book a lot because I am interested in the holocaust . It's well written and makes you want to read more aobut the holocaust.

A fuller picture of persecution in WWII
I was impressed by this book because it presents the suffering of people in WWII without staying completely focused on the Jews. The Nazis were willing to murder anybody, who, for any reason, did not fit in to their ideology or view of the world. With this book, there is a more clear demonstration of that - yes, a couple of the stories are about Jewish children, there is also a story concerning the plight of a Polish child, one about a gypsy girl, and a child's view of the horrendous occurence at Lidice, Czechoslovakia. The stories about the Jewish children are also varied; one escaped via the Kindertransport, one story was about girls hidden in a convent, and another whose father was featured in a very famous photo that made it out of Germany to tip people off to the kinds of things happening there.

My main gripe about the book is fairly minor. I enjoyed the pictures and the background given to each story, but every once in awhile I felt that the text was patronising. Mind you, this is targeted towards a juvenile audience, but if one believes that the children that will be reading this book are mature enough to deal with this type of material, they probably are not in too terrible need of some of the simpler explanations, and I found these a bit distracting from the focus of the text.

Overall, it is a very good book that serves a subject that is often neglected.

Witnesses to War
The book I read was Witness to War by Michael Leapman. This book was about eight true-life stories of children that were sent to concentration camps, and others who the Germans tried to make into German citizens. The German police and army shipped off some kids to different places so they did not get caught. A lot of the Jewish people that got sent to camps were well-respected people in a society of German. Most of the people in this book are Jewish but one of the kids is a gypsy. I think this book was very good. It is very odd that people can treat others so cruel.

History through the eyes of those who were there as children
I picked this book up from my local book store with great curiosity. I am doing a History GCSE and am especially interested in WW2, and how it affected everyday people like myself. This book looks at the war through the eyes of children. Not only Jewish children but Polish and Gypsy children too. Some parts of the book drew tears to my eyes. I was shocked at some of the horrific things these children endured. I noticed when reading the details about this book, that it is supposed to be suitable for children aged 9-12 years old. I my self am 15 and the other review writer is in college. I have a younger brother aged 11 and I do not think that this book would be appropriate for him! Some of the text would be too difficult for someone his age and a lot of the things mentoined he would not understand (I doubt if he even knows what a concentration camp is! ). Also some of the things talked about are a little too advanced for his peer group. To say I thouroughly enjoyed the book makes me sound slightly morbid, but it was a deeply touching book. Poeple who have read THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK will most likely find this of interest also.

Victims Who Are Seldom Heard
I read this book and I thought it was quite interesting... I'm a History major in college and one of my fields of expertise is World War II. I really appreciated this book because it covered some things I've always been curious about, such as Germanization and victims who were not Jewish, but victimized because they were "physically unfit" or "racially impure." You hear very little about the terror of Germanization because until recently, almost non of the Germanized children spoke about it at all. Non-Jewish victims had trouble too because either they were employed in jobs that were censored (art and religion to name a few) or because they were handicapped or because they were members of little-known cultures. The Holocaust should never be forgotten! Never! I am a quarter Polish. My grandma was born in Poland but came to America in 1922. I've always been glad that we got out of Europe long before the war ever started. What would've happened to us? ... Read more

Book Description

Kidnap! is a fast-moving mystery adventure set in Ancient Rome – where it is up to you to unmask the man who has kidnapped the emperor’s son. There are clues to spot, suspects to follow and questions that need answers…

…answers that can be found earlier in the pages of The Romans- a fact-filled record of life in those fascinating times – with full-color illustrations reconstructing life in the past, and photographs of the evidence the Romans left behind.

Book Description

In 1952, Danish workmen digging in a peat bog made an astonishing discovery. Their shovels struck the head of a dead man, his face flattened by the weight of the peat and his skin as brown as the earth in which he lay. Who was he and how had he come to be there? Scientists examined him and learned the answers to these questions and many more, including how he died and even what he ate on his last day. In this fascinating glimpse into the world of the bog people, Deem explains to readers who those people were, how they lived, what they believed, and how peat bogs preserve bodies. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Mummy Review!!!
People go to a place were they think the mummies are baried and
they find some amazing mummies,like the girl who was sacraficed and had her head was shaved on one side and this one guy was hanged and was well proserved that you could see his face as it was when he died.

yuck!
This book is very interesting. It has [lots of descriptionsabout people -just what I needed to keep my attention. My favorite part [are allthe descriptions]. This book is interesting and you won't get it from your parents because they will be majorly grossed out... hopefully not YOU! I recommend this book to kids who don't like to read much because this one will keep you awake for weeks.

Bringing bog bodies back to life
A mummified corpse and eerie bog haunt the front cover of this non-fiction treasure, beckoning readers inside to discover what "Bodies from the Bog" are all about. Deem chose his subject wisely, for children are known for their fascination with the unknown, in this case, the mysterious world of people who lived up to 5,500 years ago. Reporting on natural mummies and other artifacts that have been discovered in the bogs of Germany, Denmark, England, Ireland, and the Netherlands, Deem explores the scientific processes that go into researching and preserving the bodies, also describing how peat acts as a natural "mummifying" agent. Grauballe Man, for instance, discovered in Denmark in 1952, disclosed what his final meal had been through the contents of his intestines, the wounds causing his death enabled archeologists to infer that he had been a human sacrifice. Deem's research took him to almost all the museums currently exhibiting bog bodies and connected him with Dr. Wijnand Sanden, considered today's premier bog body expert. Deem brings bog bodies back to life with his engaging and accessible text. Accompanying captivating photographs, though sometimes grotesque, were taken by Deem himself. For example, by two close-up photographs of Tollmund Man, Deem writes, "The Tollmund Man had been hanged. Despite the circumstances of his death, the face of the Tollmund Man is still peaceful and at rest." The photographs, including text-enhancing photo-captions, will captivate middle-school-age readers as well as adults. ... Read more

Book Description

Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden delights in the wondrous discoveries of lonely Mary Lennox as she slowly helps bring an abandoned garden back to life. It also delights in good food and a robust appetite, and the health and strength they can bring. Written at a time when many children were going hungry and even starving, Burnett's beloved story celebrates the magic of fresh air, new milk, homemade currant buns, and hearty, simple fare.

Inside the pages of this cookbook are recipes for Mary's favorite foods, in and out of the garden, from porridge to roasted potatoes and eggs, all inspired by The Secret Gardenand all adapted by chef and culinary historian Amy Coder from traditional Victorian recipes. Ms. Coder has supplemented these simple, wholesome recipes with fascinating tidbits on Victorian foods and Victorian eating customs. The result is a scrumptious tribute to Burnett's classic novel, a fascinating glimpse into the cooking customs of a historical period that is now long past, and a step-by-step guide to making delicious, tasty treats to enjoy in your own secret garden. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

What did Mary and Collin eat?
Did you ever wonder how the food Mary and Collin ate tasted? This book answers that question with over 40 recipes and lots of fun facts straight from the Victorian age. Try Mulligatawny soup from India, Tattie Broth like Dickon would have eaten, and enjoy an authentic English tea. These recipes are not only fun to make, but they taste good too! You will love this book! ... Read more

Book Description

The first "manned" hot-air balloon is about to take off! But what are those noises coming from the basket?

Based on the (POSSIBLY) true report of a day in 1783, this si the story of (PERHAPS) the bravest collection of flyers the world has ever seen, as (SORT OF) told to Marjorie Priceman. ... Read more

Book Description

Like the other Greenleaf Guides, the Guide to Rome sets the study of Rome in a Biblical context. How do the various figures match up to God’s standards o0f justice or righteousness. Suggested supplementary readings include selections from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, The Aeneid, Macaulay’s City, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent for teaching older (and some younger) children
Extremely helpful resource for teaching my children history. Our children are 13, 12 and 8, and I used the discussion questions pretty much straight out of the book for the older two. For the younger one, I wrote fewer, more concrete questions (such as, "how old was [so and so] when he moved to [wherever]). Other than that, the most useful feature of the Guide was the list of extra readings and resources for each lesson. The one downside with this Guide, and true of the others as well, is the lack of scheduling help (how many lessons per week, how to group them, and so on). I found some great help on the Greenleaf Website. The editor, Rob Shearer, posts the scheduling of his own classes. Take a peak at his Ancient Civilization schedule yourself ....

"Must Have" Guide to the Famous Men of Rome
This study guide is an indispensable companion to Famous Men of Rome. The guide gives questions for every chapter, vocabulary words, ideas for projects, and suggestions for great books to expand the study. Our family has loved our "Famous Men" studies.

Famous Men of Rome
This book tells the story of Rome through individuals. I believe that by teaching history through real people, the children will be able to retain more of what they learn. I found the reading about a 5th -6th grade level, but this would also be usable for the high school level. This book also has a study guide that has questions and vocabulary as well as activities. ... Read more

Book Description

Henry Morgan, who was born in Wales in 1635 and died in Port Royal, Jamaica, in 1688, was an unusual sort of leader. Inspiring the respect and admiration of his fellows, he led them to undertake daring raids on Spain's possessions in the New World; yet he commanded neither an army nor a navy. Nor was he a political ruler, although his exploits affected the power politics of Europe and earned him a knighthood. In plain language, Henry Morgan was a leader of thieves, a prince among a group of outcasts, desperadoes, and failed gentlemen known as buccaneers.Though movies and novels have romanticized them, the buccaneers were in fact a ruthless group who got their way by brutal means. Their motives were pure self-interest, yet they operated with the permission of certain European nations in order to break the Spanish monopoly in the West Indies. Vividly outlining the political and economic circumstances that allowed the buccaneers to flourish, and freshly evoking both life at sea and life in the colonies in the seventeenth century, Albert Marrin shows how Henry Morgan was a particular response to forces that are still with us. War, poverty, greed, bigotry, and oppression play themselves out, albeit differently, in our lives today.Albert Marrin is the chairman of the history department at Yeshiva University, and he has written many award-winning nonfiction books for young adults, including Commander in Chief: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War (Dutton). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fascinating, educating, and highly readable
I had heard of Henry Morgan and the buccaneers, but did not know much about them before I read this book. "Terror of the Spanish Main" presents a wealth of information in an entertaining and understanding way. Some of the parts that I found most interesting include the following:

1. What was London really like in the 17th century? (Marrin pulls no punches in describing the sights and odors that more sterile histories omit.
2. The democratic way in which the buccaneers and pirates organized their expeditions. The pirates were a "floating democracy."
3. The horrific tortures...described vividly in the book...that were "acceptable" more than 300 years ago.
4. How Morgan's life ended.

Numerous illustrations accompany the well-documented text. The book far exceeded my expectations, and I will read other books by this author.

A Great Biography
This is a great book about one of the most famous buccaneers of all time. This is a great book, I couldn't put it down. If you like good books, buccaneers, ineresting information, or all of the above, you will love this book.

Great Pirate book, but not really a book about Henry Morgan
This book was easy to read and packed with information. If you have an interest in pirates, this book will give you a fantastic overview.

If you are looking for specific, down-and-dirty details about Henry Morgan, however, this book might not be your best pick.

In essence, the author does an admirable job of showing what life, and especially life as a pirate, would have been like during the 1600s. In addition, there are detailed notes and a wonderful section of additional sources at the end of the book.

If you already have a good basic understanding of pirate life and want to know everything about Henry Morgan, however, consider yourself forewarned: I kept waiting for the specifics about Henry Morgan to show up. When they finally did begin to show up half-way through the book I found them to be of the "We don't really know for sure but this is a good guess of what he might have experienced" variety.

To be fair, for such a prominent historical figure, Morgan left few records, especially of his early years. I did find the information about his Uncles new, interesting and thought-provoking but felt the title suggested a more thorough treatment of the man himself.

Change the title and it would be a GREAT pirate book or pack it with EVERY detail you can find about Morgan and this would be the perfect pirate book. However, with Morgan figuring so prominently in the title I was a little disappointed to find the book contained so little new information about him. ... Read more