Stepping Stones > History
Gold Rush Winter
By Claire Rudolf Murphy
Klondy and her mother are finally joining Klondy’s father in Alaska. But does Papa have time for a daughter? Or is he too busy hunting for gold? Claire Rudolph Murphy based Gold Rush Winter on the true story of Klondy Nelson, an Alaskan gold-miner’s daughter. Ms. Murphy lived for 24 years in Alaska and has written extensively about the state and its people and history. The author lives in Spokane, WA.
Hannah
By Gloria Whelan
Illustrated by Leslie Bowman
Nine-year-old Hannah would do almost anything to go to school with all the other children in town. But Hannah is blind and her parents keep her at home where she is "safe." Then Lydia Robbin comes to town. She's a strong-willed teacher who accomplishes a small miracle: she convinces Hannah's parents to send her to school. At first Hannah is overjoyed. But she soon learns that there are many obstacles--and people-- that stand in the way of her education. Hannah will need tremendous courage to prove to her classmates, her parents and herself that Miss Robbin was right to believe in her.
Night of the Full Moon
By Gloria Whelan
Illustrated by Leslie Bowman
The night of the full moon is approaching and Libby Mitchell cannot wait! Nothing will stop her from visiting her best friend, Fawn, at the nearby Indian camp and attending a special ceremony there. When soldiers rush in and order everyone at the camp to move off the land immediately—they mistake Libby for a member of the tribe! As each day passes, Libby wonders if she will ever see her family again..
White Bird
By Clyde Robert Bulla
Illustrated by Donald Cook
John Thomas, a boy who lives in the woods of Tennessee with his stern guardian Luke, leads a lonely, solitary life. One morning after a storm, he finds an injured bird and makes his pet. When another young boy steals White Bird, John Thomas sets out on his own to find his pet. A perfect first chapter book for fans of historical fiction.
The Shadow of the Wolf
By Gloria Whelan
Libby’s family moves to Northern Michigan where she is reunited with her best friend, Fawn, whose family now lives there with the Ottawa tribe. The girls’ happiness is short lived when they find out that greedy men are trying to cheat the Indians out of their land. Now Libby and Fawn must think of a way to stop them—before the forest is lost forever.
The Minstrel in the Tower
Written by Gloria Skurzynski
In this gripping medieval page-turner, Roger and his sister Alice are kidnapped and held for ransom in an ancient tower. To escape and find their uncle, the children must summon all their courage and imagination. "Designed as easy-reading material for middle-graders, this has the virtues of an attractive format and illustrations, a fast plot, and even a feminist fillip: Alice is the more intrepid of the siblings, Roger's gifts are for music and ventriloquism."—Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.
Next Spring an Oriole
Written by Gloria Whelan
"Historical fiction at an easy level is hard to find, and this pioneer story, narrated by 10-year-old Libby Mitchell on her journey from Virginia to Michigan in 1837, is smoothly written and appealing. The wagon trail is not easy, and Whelan is careful to include a taste of the hardships. She's also careful in her presentation of the Potawatomi Indians, who figure in the story when the Mitchells nurse one of their own children back to health. The story, though brief, is well developed."—Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.
Pioneer Cat
Written by William H. Hooks
Nine-year-old Kate Purdy is traveling from Missouri to Oregon by wagon train, and she’s worried about Snuggs—the pretty little cat who took a shine to her and decided to come along for the ride even though there are no pets allowed on the wagon train. No matter what happens, Snuggs the cat has to stay a secret!
Escape South
Written by Kim L. Siegelson
Illustrated by Shelley Jackson
Ben and his family are slaves to Mister Tom until they plan a daring escape in the middle of the night and go south to Florida, to Indian territory. They have a long and dangerous journey ahead. But maybe among the Seminoles, they will find a place of their own—and freedom.

 

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