Peter Roop

In 1803 President Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana territory from the French for $15,000,000. The purchase made President Jefferson's dream of extending the U.S. west of the Mississippi River come true. Now the much larger United States had difficult questions to answer: How would Louisiana be governed? How would it be divided into states? Would those states be free states or slave states? What would happen to the Native Americans? It would take...

Reconstructs a possible mission of the fourteen-year-old spy who carried messages to George Washington's camp in the buttons of his coat during the Revolutionary War.

In 1775 fourteen-year-old Samantha, who should be wearing dresses, knows that in britches she can out-hunt her twin and out-sail her older brother near their James River home, but can she use those skills against the British when the American Revolution begins?

Describes the history and customs connected with Halloween and includes riddles, activities, and instructions for making some masks and costumes.

Presents some basic facts about Christmas, along with jokes and riddles, Christmas crafts, and brief explanations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and a C. S. Lewis Noteworthy book: A rich history of the pilgrim experience, as recorded in real diaries Nearly four hundred years after the pilgrims left England in search of a better life, their stories still resonate with Americans today. In this account, the pilgrims' own writings of their adventures and hardships are brought to life for young readers.   This touching account shows the pilgrims'...

Can the advice of an eleven-year-old girl help get Abraham Lincoln elected president? As the election of 1860 nears, eleven-year-old Grace and her family are working hard to help Abraham Lincoln win. After seeing his image on a poster, Grace decides to write to him and suggest that growing a beard might win him more votes. Much to her surprise, Lincoln answers her letter, and she becomes a neighborhood celebrity.   When the president-elect's victory...

This fun-to-read, informative book is loaded with fascinating facts about the history and customs of Valentine's Day and presents jokes, riddles, interesting projects, and simple recipes – everything you need to appreciate and celebrate Valentine's Day!

This clever counting book from the award-winning authors of Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie, combines rhyme with a fun exploration of Maine sea life. Children will be singing it to themselves and asking for it to be read to them again and again.