BooksClick on a title to read more. PLAYING SOLITAIRE (Dial, 2000)
Cover Illustration © 2000 by Tim O'Brien (Young Adult Novel, 103 pages) Playing solitaire is just about the only thing from before “the incident” that Ellie will allow to be a part of her new life. But the memories of her recent past continue to drift in and out of Ellie’s days and dreams whether she wants them to or not. Of course, they aren’t all bad. There are the few good times she and Mama had shared before the illness that took her away. But always, always creeping in when she least expects it, there’s Daddy. Not here but not gone. Out there … somewhere. Even starting her new life with Grandpa, even changing her last name can’t change the fact of Daddy. And what he did. And what he could still do. But when it comes to Daddy, Ellie has decided that only she – and not luck, chance or fate – will determine how the final hand is played. Lost in the War (Dial, 1998)
Published as The Longest War in Australia Cover design: Lynne Yeamans & Galen Smith. (Young Adult Novel, 137 pages) Thunder and lightning pierce the nighttime sky. Then a scream … Twelve-year-old Lisa Grey jumps out of bed and runs down the hall to her mother’s room. It’s difficult enough to deal with school – her first dance, her first crush, and studying the war that took away her father – without worrying about her mother’s nightmares, which are becoming more frequent and more disturbing. Though the war’s been over for years, memories of Vietnam are still haunting her mother. Will she ever find peace so they can be a family again? Sam's Wild West Christmas (Dial, 2000)
Illustrated by S.D. Schindler (Easy Reader, 40 pages.) A train is stopped on the tracks. “They took our presents!” a little girl sobs. So Sam and Rodeo Rosie follow the wrapping paper trail to the varmints’ hideout. Will Sam and Rosie be able to save Christmas? SAM'S WILD WEST SHOW (Dial, 1995)
Illustrated by Simms Taback (Easy Reader, 40 pages) Sam's Wild West Show rode into town. They came in buggies and wagons. They came on horseback and on foot. And they put on a rootin' tootin' show for the whole town. Then two outlaws named Flo and Bo rode into town. They were ugly. They looked mean. Everyone hid. Everyone but Sam. And Flo and Bo snickered when they saw the empty streets. But those pistol-packin' varmints just better watch out! STAYING COOL (Dial, 1997)
Illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Picture Book) Bumpitybumpity... whap whap whap... Curtis is working out, punching the speed bag, jumping rope. He is training at his grandfather's gym for the local Golden Gloves boxing tournament, because more than anything he wants to make his grandfather proud. Curtis wants to prove to his grandfather that he can get right back in the ring after losing. He wants to show his grandfather that he won't lose control when another boxer hits him too hard. But how can he stay cool when he has so much to think about? Ordinary Albert (HarperCollins, Australia, 1997)
Illustrated by Australian Picture Book of the Year Award winner, Pamela Allen. (Picture Book) Albert is happy to live an ordinary life but he would like something exciting to happen to him just once. He sets off walking to find that one exciting thing --not sure what "it" is. He does not know that a dragon is sleeping peacefully in a cave in the woods... Could this be "it"? BEAUTIFUL LAND: the story of the Oklahoma Land Rush (Viking, 1994)
Illustrated by John Gampert (Middle Grade Novel, 54 pages.) It's April 22, 1889, and Annie Mae's family is beginning a new life -- a life where they can farm for themselves instead of for someone else, where Pa won't have to carry suitcases at the hotel or unload freight from the railroad. Thousands of settlers surge across the border of the newly-opened Oklahoma Territory in a race to claim some farmland of their own. Annie Mae and her family have been waiting years for this chance -- but even if they find their beautiful land, will they be able to keep it? THE GOOD BAD CAT (School Zone Publishing Company, 1985)
Illustrated by John Sandford (Easy Reader, 32 pages.) The cat in this story is sometimes good and sometimes bad. It all depends on how you look at it. Other Books by Nancy Antle:(These books are out of print but might be found at your local library or sometimes from Bookfinder.com. See the link under Quick Links at right.) HARD TIMES: a story of the Great Depression (Viking, 1993)Illustrated by James Watling (Middle Grade Novel, 54 pages) It's 1933 and Charlie's family's luck has just run out. Oklahoma has been hit hard by the Great Depression and a long drought that have left a dusty wasteland where crops won't grow and jobs are scarce. Then the worst happens: Charlie's father loses his job and can't pay the mortgage. The family must pack everything they have into a rickety truck, pull up their roots, and move far away. But with his harmonica and a familiar song, Charlie keeps hope alive -- through hard times. TOUGH CHOICES: a story of the Vietnam War (Viking, 1993)Illustrated by Michele LaPorte (Middle Grade Novel, 54 pages) "You're just a killer hired by Uncle Sam." That's what the protesters tell Samantha's brother Mitch when he comes home from Vietnam. How could they ruin his homecoming? Samantha never wants to think about Vietnam again, and now these awful anti-war people -- including her older brother, Emmett -- are bringing the war closer than ever. As Samantha watches the effects of war on Mitch and the rest of her family, she realizes that the issues are not so simple. The war is far from over, and everyone has tough choices ahead. Review: "Antle's sensitive portrayal of the effects the Vietnam War has on one American family provides vivid insight into a turbulent historical period." Booklist |
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