Revealing stories from America's past
Calkins Creek Books introduces children to the many people, places, and events that shaped our country's history. Our picture books, chapter books, and novels—nonfiction and historical fiction for ages eight and up—combine original and extensive research with creative, energetic writing. History is key at Calkins Creek-front and center. Our authors transport their readers back in time to recognizable places with living and breathing people.
A starred review for Birmingham Sunday 
School Library Journal awards Larry Dane Brimner's Birmingham Sunday with a starred review.
"The author successfully blends the facts of the event with the intense emotions of the period in order to bring it to life. ...The book is beautifully designed, with good-quality, black-and-white photos, informative captions, and pertinent pull quotes. A worthy addition to any collection."
The August 1, 2009 edition of Kirkus Review features a review of Timothy Decker's For Liberty:
"In a few lines of terse prose illustrated with densely hatched black-and-white pictures, Decker lays out the causes of the tension between Bostonians and British troops, and then delivers a blow-by-blow account of events on that March night and the ensuing trials. Along with casting a grim tone over all, his dark, crowded illustrations capture the incident's confusion and also add details to the narrative."
The September 1, 2009 edition of Kirkus Review features a review of Cris Peterson's Birchbark Briigade:
"Peterson first provides a history of the military, political and economic development of the trade and then gives readers a snapshot of the lives of the Indians and voyagers who did the actual work. She relies on a wealth of primary-source material, from archival illustrations to quotes from players both large and small. ...The author's enthusiasm for her subject will communicate itself to readers, even those who never dreamed they'd be interested, making this the best kind of discovery."
Camping with the President by Ginger Wadsworth makes the list of Smithsonian Notable Books for Children 2009.
Pegi Deitz Shea's Noah Webster receives a 2010 NCTE Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children with Honor Book distinction.
The September 13, 2009 edition of The Denver Post features a review of Selene Castrovilla's Upon Secrecy:
"Paging students and teachers studying the American Revolution: Here's a lively, obscure story that will make you sit up. Castrovilla's slim book about the Culper spy ring may look like a picture book, but the text would be a great supplement for high school history classes… The research behind both text and illustrations is impeccable."
Joyce Moyer Hostetter's Comfort was praised in the May 2009 issue of School Library Journal:
"The continuation of this determined protagonist's story is even richer than the first installment. ... While readers of Blue will be instantly drawn into this sequel, Comfort stands alone, and newcomers will find much to appreciate in Ann Fay's attempts to come to terms with the confusion around her. Hostetter's beautiful story about rebuilding, with absorbing back matter about post-traumatic stress disorder and disability rights, is exceptional historical fiction."
