Slavery in American children's literature, 1790-2010

Sample

Neil Robinson

Set in the Nova Scotian settlement at Waipu, Northland, in 1860. Set against a montage of bushmen working the virgin kauri forests of Northland, merchants and street-wise opportunists in the young town of Auckland, and sea-faring traders of goods, men and human souls in the tropical islands of New Caledonia and the New Hebrides. This is the story of young Donald McKinnon, on his rite of passage, attempting to question the methods and ideas of the minister, Norman McLeod. He struggles with the expectations and values of his Presbyterian community, as he learns to express his love for the 'beautiful and good' Jessie McKay.

Sample

Aleksandr B. Kamenskii

Russia's eighteenth-century drive toward modernity and empire under the two "greats" - Peter I and Catherine II - is fully captured in this new work by one of Russia's outstanding young historians. Kamenskii develops three themes: Russia's encounter with European civilization; the transformation of "Holy Russia" into a multinational empire; and the effects of efforts from above to modernize Russia selectively along Western lines. Writing in a clear, crisp style, the author enlivens his narrative with observations from contemporary literary figures and political commentators that illuminate the significance of the events he describes. In preparing this first history of eighteenth-century Russia to be written in many years, Kamenskii has drawn on the work of several generations of historians from many nations. His goal - gracefully achieved - has been to produce a readable, one-volume synthesis revealing the events and processes that were of greatest importance in transforming Russia into one of the world's most lasting empires.

Sample

Valerie Tripp

Josefina who hopes to become a "curandera," or healer, like Tía Magdalena, is tested just before her tenth birthday when a friend receives a potentially fatal snakebite.

Sample

Deborah Rudacille

Chronicles the history of animal research as a means to find cures for illnesses and test the safety of consumer products, and examines the continuing opposition by animal protectionists.