Joyce Hansen Knihy

The year she is in fifth grade, Doris meets a special friend in her Bronx neighborhood.

Amir struggles to adjust to his new life with the Smiths, his caring foster parents, and feels a sense of disconnection, especially since his youngest brother doesn't recognize him. Despite the warmth of his new home, Amir's discomfort stems from the loss of his family after their parents' death. His longing to reunite with his other siblings amplifies his feelings of isolation, as he seeks a sense of belonging and connection in his new environment.

Twelve-year-old Patsy keeps a diary of the ripe but confusing time following the end of the Civil War and the granting of freedom to former slaves

In a sequel to THE GIFT-GIVER, Doris reluctantly starts helping Yellow Bird, the class clown, with his reading problem. To her surprise, Doris finds that in caring for and helping Bird, she develops a new friend.

Determined to change his life, Marcus enters Langston High School ready to embrace a fresh start, free from his past of selling drugs. He reflects on the guidance from his loved ones and recognizes the importance of education. However, his resolve is tested by Eddie, his adversary, who threatens to derail his plans for a better future. Having moved from the idyllic St. Cruz to the challenging environment of the Bronx, Marcus confronts both internal and external struggles as he seeks redemption and a new path.

In this classic Coretta Scott King Honor Book, a young enslaved man makes a daring run for freedom, then battles to free his people.  "Authenticity rings throughout this outstanding novel depicting events and places in rural South Carolina in the 1860s and representing the diversity of persons, experiences, and opinions during the Civil War. The double-edged title refers to trust and decisions as well as to the escapes of African Americans from bondage. This historical novel accurately documents the military participation of blacks in the Civil War."  (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books) Obi had never forgotten the sounds of his mother's screams on the day he was sold away from her. Making plans to run away to find her was a secret game he played with his friend Buka, an old African who lived at the edge of the farm. When the Civil War began, Obi knew it was time to run—or be sold again. If he was caught, he'd be killed...or worse. But if he stayed, he might never know freedom. This classic historical fiction for ages 9 to 12 is a strong choice for sharing in the classroom or at home, especially for students studying topics including the Civil War, African American participation in the war, and the history of slavery in the United States.