James Lincoln Collier

Born of poor Jewish immigrant parents in Chicago in 1909, Beny Goodman joined the local synagogue band at the age of ten with two of his brothers. As he was the smallest of the three he was given a clarinet. Within a decade he was a musical legend, constantly in demand for radio shows and guest appearances with America's leading jazz orchestras. In 1934 he formed his own band, and by the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman was hailed as the undisputed `King of Swing'. James Lincoln Collier brilliantly recreates the colourful popular music world of the 1920s and 1930s, when the music industry was just expanding, radio was the great source of musical entertainment, and swing bands were first finding national audiences. He also offers perceptive insights into the character and music of a man whose magic transformed the Depression years into the Swing Era.

The sequel to the Newbery Honor classic My Brother Sam Is Dead by bestselling author James Lincoln Collier Tim has lost both his father and his brother, Sam, to the Revolutionary War. And for what? The war continues, with fighting and bloodshed all around him, no closer to peace. As the violence grows, Tim and his mother struggle to stay neutral, but Tim's anger is unrelenting. Haunted by memories of his brother's final moments, Tim is starting to realize that eventually, everyone must take a side. But which side should pay the price for his brother's death: the British or the Rebels who led Sam into the line of fire? Each played a part in Sam's death, so it's up to Tim to decide how to avenge his brother. Will he be able to get the justice his brother deserves, or will he have to accept the fact that Sam's death was the ultimate price for freedom?In an all-too-timely sequel, Newbery Honor author James Lincoln Collier picks up the story of My Brother Sam Is Dead in another powerful examination of patriotism, family, and what it means to be an American.

When Billy hears that gold is hidden in the mountains, he escapes from the orphanage, taking Possum with him. The two runaways embark on a journey through the Western frontier in search of the gold.

When Sam Meeker leaves his home in Redding, Connecticut, a town loyal to the king, to fight with the rebel army, he places his family in a very difficult position.

"A vibrant, sweeping analysis of the roots of American self-indulgence" --"Kirkus Reviews" "This ringing, provocative jeremiad cuts a path through a haze of self-indulgent thought and action in the "me first" society." --"Publisher's Weekly" "Wonderful...a delight to read, even exciting...There are few books that inspire real enthusiasm. This is one of them." --"The Philadelphia Enquirer"

Bring history to life with compelling stories, sweeping scope, and a welcoming sense of diversity Historical fiction helps students connect to their middle school social studies classes Reading skill instruction and cross-curricular connections improve comprehension of historical fiction Strong multicultural flavor reflects the rich tapestry of our shared American heritages Jamestown's American Portraits, a saga of American families and friends, traces the history of America from the founding of Jamestown to the Civil Rights Movement. This is a unique, enriching series designed to teach reading strategies appropriate for historical novels used in middle school reading, language arts, or social studies classes. Reading Level 5-8 Interest Level 6-8

Johnny made a promise to his father, who was wounded fighting for the South. He promised to take care of the family and not run off to fight. Without Pa, Johnny's family can barely scrape by. But when there's an offer to take his mules and wagon on a bold mission to supply the Rebel troops, Johnny can't resist. Then he's captured by a Yankee--Cush, a runaway slave. Johnny doesn't like taking orders from a black. But he's got no choice. He's bound for prison camp, tormented by his broken promise and wondering what will become of his family and himself.

Duke Ellington is considered to be one of the great genius' of jazz--its major composer and leader of probably the most significant of all jazz bands. Yet, other than his own not-very-revealing autobiography and a collection of reminiscences of his band members, there has never been an indepth biography of this preeminent figure in twentieth century music and entertainment. Here at last is the definitive critical biography of both the man and his music. James Lincoln Collier, author of the highly acclaimed Louis Armstrong: An American Genius, has produced a fascinating work which tells the full story of Edward Kennedy Ellington, from his childhood as the pampered and adored only son of a middle-class Washington black family to his death in 1974, hailed as America's greatest composer (according to the New York Times obituary) and mourned at his funeral by more than 10,000 people. Collier describes Ellington's charisma--his sense of being special even from childhood, when he would announce to his cousins I am the grand, noble, Duke; crowds will be running to me, ...the formation of his band, including some of the greatest names in jazz history, among them, Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Cootie Williams, Lawrence Brown, and Paul Gonzavles...his arrival at the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem in the 1920s...his involvement with his manager Irving Mills, who manipulated and cheated him and even put his name on some of Ellington's songs, but who made him famous...his relationship with his family, including his troubled relationship with his son, his marriage and many affairs (including involvements with some of his own musician's women). But most of all, the book is about the creation of the music, from classic songs like Sophisticated Lady to the sacred concerts of Ellington's last years. Collier maintains that it is not necessary to see Ellington as a composer in the narrow sense of the word but as something just as important: an improvising jazz musician. His instrument was a whole band.This is a controversial book--not all will agree with Collier's assessments--but it will enthrall jazz buffs as well as anyone interested in a fascinating life and times.

Young Daniel Arabus and his mother are slaves in the house of Captain Ivers of Stratford, Connecticut. By law they should be free, since Daniel's father fought in the Revolutionary army and earned enough in soldiers' notes to buy his family's freedom. But now Daniel's father is dead, and Mrs. Ivers has taken the notes from his mother. When Daniel bravely steals the notes back, a furious Captain Ivers forces him aboard a ship bound for the West Indies--and certain slavery. Even if Daniel can manage to jump ship in New York, will he be able to travel the long and dangerous road to freedom?

Willy Freeman's life changes forever when she witnesses her father's death at the hands of the Redcoats and returns home to find that the British have taken her mother as a prisoner to New York City.Willy, disguised as a boy, begins her long search for her mother and luckily finds a haven at the famous Fraunces Tavern. But even with the help of Sam Fraunces and her fellow worker, Horace, Willy knows that to be black, female, and free leaves her open to danger at every turn. What will tomorrow bring?

When Sam Meeker leaves his home in Redding, Connecticut, a town loyal to the king, to fight with the rebel army, he places his family in a very difficult position.

A complete guide to teaching My Brother Sam is Dead. Includes an author biography, background information, summaries, thought-provoking discussion questions, as well as creative, cross-curricular activities and reproducibles that motivate students.