Special Collections
'My Name is America' Series
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The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce
by Ann RinaldiThis book is historical fiction. Many of the characters did exist. The story is of a 14 year old boy Jasper Jonathan Pierce and his voyage on the Mayflower. After arriving at Plymouth, Jasper has many adventures. The book is well done, and accurate in most details.
The Journal of William Thomas Emerson
by Barry DenenbergSet in Massachusetts, this is the story of a boy surrounded by the politics and violence of war, who becomes a spy for the rebel colonists.
The Journal of Augustus Pelletier
by Kathryn LaskyIn this novel, Augustus Pelletier, a 14-year-old half-French and half-Omaha Indian, joins Lewis and Clark on their journey from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean and keeps a journal of throughout the trip.
On This Long Journey
by Joseph BruchacCritically acclaimed author Joseph Bruchac's exciting JOURNAL OF JESSE SMOKE is now in paperback with a dynamic repackaging!In 1838 in Tennessee, the Cherokee Nation is on the brink of being changed forever as they face the Removal -- being forcibly moved from their homes and land, in part because of a treaty signed by a group of their own people. Sixteen-year-old Jesse Smoke has been studying at the Mission School, but it has been shut down and turned into a fort for the ever-increasing number of soldiers entering the territory. Now Jesse has returned to his home to live with his widowed mother and two younger sisters. All hope lies on the Cherokee chief, John Ross, who is in Washington, D.C., trying to delay the Removal. Then one night, family members are suddenly awakened, dragged from their homes, and brought at gunpoint to a stockade camp. From there, Jesse and his family are forced to march westward on the horrifying Trail of Tears during the long, cold winter months. It's a difficult journey west, and Jesse's not sure if he and his family can survive the journey.
The Journal of Jedediah Barstow
by Ellen LevineHaving lost his parents and sister in a river accident, Jedediah decides to make his way through a wild, new world to the Oregon Territory on his own.
The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds
by Rodman PhilbrickThis "journal" of Douglas Allen Deeds, an enthusiastic young farm boy traveling West with his family, tells the harrowing story of the Donner Party expedition. Photos & illustrations.
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung:
by Laurence Yep1881. A small village in China. A new emperor. The old problems such as hunger. Uncle Precious Stone declares that he is going to The Golden Mountain. After some time for preparation, he goes.
A few months later, Mama and Papa receive a request to send older brother. But they send Runt! He is the younger, smaller, more intellectual brother.
This is an exciting adventure! Although the journal is fiction, the events it portrays are based on history (American and Chinese) and culture. A fine book for a book report!
The Journal of Rufus Rowe
by Sid HiteWhen 16-year-old Rufus Rowe runs away from home to escape his cruel stepfather, he ends up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, just as the Rebel troops are preparing for a confrontation with the Union Army.
On Enemy Soil
by Jim MurphyThe Civil War JOURNAL OF JAMES EDMOND PEASE is now in paperback with an exciting repackaging!Ignorant to the bitter realities of military life, 16-year-old James enlists in the Union Army at the dawn of the Civil War. When his lieutenant assigns him to be the company historian of the G Company of the 122nd Regiment, New York Volunteers, he is initially at a loss as to what exactly he is supposed to record. As the days pass, James settles into his role, but he cannot take comfort in it. His country is divided by a bloody war, and his unit struggles through the hardships and turmoil. Through his journal entries, James poignantly captures the terror of battle, the drudgery of day-to-day life in the infantry, the loss of comrades, and the disillusionment of a young soldier.
The Journal of Sean Sullivan
by William DurbinIn 1867, 15-year-old Sean experiences both hardships and rewards when he joins his father in working on the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
The Journal of Joshua Loper
by Walter Dean MyersTwo-time Newbery Honor-winning author Myers writes about an African-American boy's struggles with his first cattle drive in 1871 and the racial prejudices of the day.
The Journal of Brian Doyle
by Jim MurphyIn 1874, Brian Doyle records in his diary how he ran away from his home in San Francisco, joined the crew of a whaling ship, and endured storms, hostile shipmates, and being stranded in the Arctic.
The Journal of Finn Reardon
by Susan Campbell BartolettiIn a fictionalized journal Finn tells of the year 1899 and the roll he played in the Newsboys strike. Contains historical notes and a few pages of picture descriptions at the end.
The Journal of Otto Peltonen
by William DurbinOtto Peltonen emigrates from Finland to Minnesota in 1906, where he and his father work long, dangerous hours in the iron ore mines. Otto's experiences strengthen his resolve to find freedom that his family sailed to America for.
The Journal of C. J. Jackson
by William Durbin"June 10, South of Oatman, Arizona
We headed toward the Black Mountains two hours before dawn. The foothills weren't bad, but once we hit the main slope, our truck ground to a halt. We unhooked the trailer and stood for a while. One look at the household goods scattered along the ditch made it clear what he had to do, but Mother didn't want to face it. Though it was hot as Hades, Daddy let her talk it all out.
Finally Mother nodded. The trailer was the first thing to go. Daddy and I eased it onto the road shoulder. Then we pried off the best boards and used them to reinforce the stake bed sides on the truck. Next, using the old nails for hooks, we hung up the pails and basins. Mother never blinked as we tossed away two crocks, three mattresses, and her bedspring. But when we picked up her cedar hope chest, she teared up bad.
Free of the trailer, Daddy revved up the truck and gave the hill another try, but she still gave out. "No-good, gutless engine," Daddy said, kicking at a tire. ..."
The Journal of Ben Uchida
by Barry DenenbergFor almost 11 months in the internment camp, 12-year-old Ben Uchida keeps a journal and he writes, "It never seemed to matter before, but now my face was the face of the enemy".
The Journal of Scott Pendelton Collins
by Walter Dean MyersEach harrowing day of battle in France convinces 17-year-old Scott Pendleton Collins that he may not survive. In desperation, he records his thoughts, fears, and hopes in a journal he has carried since his first days as a soldier in Basic Training at Fort Dix.
Down to the Last Out
by Walter Dean MyersNewbery and Coretta Scott King award-winning author Walter Dean Myers's baseball story THE JOURNAL OF BIDDY OWENS is now available in paperback, with an exciting repackaging!Seventeen-year-old Biddy Owens is part of the Birmingham Black Barons baseball team and dreams of becoming a major league baseball player. However, in 1948 most black players can only play for the Negro Leagues. Jackie Robinson has just recently integrated and is playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but the white owners are reluctant to add too many blacks to their rosters. The Birmingham Black Barons are some of the best players in the league. But as they travel around playing ball, Biddy realizes that not everyone is ready for blacks and whites to play on the same team. Can Biddy prove he's good enough to be part of the game his loves, no matter what color his skin is?
The Journal of Patrick Seamus Flaherty
by Ellen Emerson White"This journal is based upon actual events, but all names and certain unit and operational details have been changed, in order to protect the privacy of the Marines who actually served so bravely at Khe Sanh. Although every attempt has been made to present the story as accurately as possible, based upon public records, any resemblance to actual people (other than public figures such as President Johnson) is very much a coincidence. When recounting the actions taken by certain soldiers, students of the Vietnam War may recognize the people they represent. As a result, no identifying details whatsoever are given, when these particular incidents are recounted, based upon after-action reports and other sources. All Americans owe a great debt of thanks to the veterans of the Vietnam War -- and every other war.
Includes a history of Vietnam, war timeline, glossary, and related military information."
This is the companion book to Where have all the flowers gone? : the diary of Molly MacKenzie Flaherty (Dear America), already on bookshare.