A novel in verse about a young deaf boy during World War II, the sister who loves him, and the conscientious objector who helps him. Inspired by true events. Henry has been deaf from an early age-he is intelligent and aware of langauge, but by age six, he has decided it's not safe to speak to strangers. When the time comes for him to start school, he is labeled 'unteachable.' Becasue his family has very little money, his parents and older sister, Molly, feel powerless to help him. Henry is sent to Riverview, a bleak institution where he is misunderstood, underestimated, and harshly treated. Victor, a conscientious objector to World War II, is part of a Civilian Public Service program offered as an alternative to the draft. In 1942, he arrives at Riverview to serve as an attendant and quickly sees that Henry is far from unteachable-he is brave, clever, and sometimes mischievous. In Victor's care, Henry begins to see how things can change for the better. Heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful, Helen Frost's All He Knew is inspired by true events and provides sharp insight into a little-known element of history.
A dirty, skinny dog shows up in Sam and Katies neighborhood. They start to follow it,
and they dont like what they see: the Wilson sisters yell at the dog because it is digging
in their garden and the Tracy twins chase it on their bikes and throw things at it.
Sam and Katie want the dog to know theyll be its friends. They think it should have a
name. Most of all, they want it to like them.
But they make a big mistake, and after that, its hard to make things right. Because how
can you apologize to a dog? Especially one that wont come near you.
How they earn the dogs trust and help it find its place in their town, and how the dog
gets its name, make for a heartwarming story told in two voices using prose and poetry.
Anikwa and James, twelve years old in 1812, spend their days fishing, trapping, and exploring together in the forests of the Indiana Territory. To Anikwa and his family, members of the Miami tribe, this land has been home for centuries. As traders, James's family has ties to the Miami community as well as to the American soldiers in the fort. Now tensions are rising--the British and American armies prepare to meet at Fort Wayne for a crucial battle, and Native Americans from surrounding tribes gather in Kekionga to protect their homeland. After trading stops and precious commodities, like salt, are withheld, the fort comes under siege, and war ravages the land. James and Anikwa, like everyone around them, must decide where their deepest loyalties lie. Can their families--and their friendship--survive? In "Salt, "Printz Honor author Helen Frost offers a compelling look at a difficult time in history. "[Readers] will come away with heightened sympathy for non-combatants caught up in the course of violent change."-- The Wall Street Journal, "Sensitive and smart: a poetic vista for historical insight as well as cultural awareness." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Award-winning poet Helen Frost received the Michael L. Printz Honor for her acclaimed debut novel, Keesha's House. Written in free verse, Hidden is a compelling tale about an unlikely friendship between two girls. Darra Monson and Wren Abbott first cross paths when Darra's deadbeat dad is arrested for theft and kidnapping after he steals a car- unaware that Wren was sitting in the back. Years later, the girls- now teens- attend the same summer camp, and are forced to confront the fateful event that changed their lives.
Eighteen-year-old Muriel Jorgensen lives on one side of Crabapple Creek. Her family's closest friends, the Normans, live on the other. For as long as Muriel can remember, the families' lives have been intertwined, connected by the crossing stones that span the water. But now that Frank Norman-who Muriel is just beginning to think might be more than a friend-has enlisted to fight in the First World War, the future is uncertain. Muriel is opinionated about the war and women's suffrage, but she is surrounded by people who advise her to keep her opinions to herself. Now she must find a way to care for those she loves while becoming the person she is most truly meant to be. Written in beautifully structured verse by Printz Honor Book author Helen Frost, Crossing Stones captures nine months in the lives of two resilient families struggling to stay together and cross carefully, stone by stone, into a changing world.
Award-winning author Helen Frost takes us into the breathtaking Alaskan winter landscape in this thrilling adventure with a touch of fantasy. Twelve-year-old Willow-whose heritage is both Athabascan Indian and European-wants nothing more than to mush the sled dogs to her grandparents' home. After pressing her parents for some time, she is finally allowed to go alone. But when she commits a critical mistake, Willow wonders how she'll ever make things right again.
