Kimberly Bulcken Root

Hugh is a very poor but incredibly clever orphan with big dreams. Tired of having nothing, he decides it is high time to pack his small bag and set out to seek his grand fortune in the bustling, wealthy city. He knows there are brilliant opportunities waiting for him just down the road. All he has to do is get there, and his entire life will change for the better. But there is one massive obstacle standing squarely in his way: a wide river and a very stubborn toll-taker guarding the only bridge. The toll-taker demands a shiny coin, and Hugh does not have a single penny to his name. Refusing to turn back, Hugh must rely on his sharp wits and smooth talking to figure out a clever trade or a tricky solution. He has to solve this tricky puzzle and prove that a smart brain is far more valuable than a pocket full of gold.

Some people thought he was eccentric, wandering the rugged frontier with little more than the clothes on his back and a sack full of seeds. But Johnny Appleseed was a man with a beautiful vision for the expanding American West. Believing that the earth belongs to all living creatures, Johnny traveled for miles across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana to plant vibrant groves of apple trees. Discover the fascinating true story of an unconventional pioneer whose quiet dedication, deep respect for nature, and simple acts of planting changed the landscape of a nation forever.

All her life, Oona has traveled the cold roads as a tinker's daughter, dreaming of a warm home of her own. Though she has nothing, she moves from village to village, offering a helping hand wherever there is trouble or sadness. When the Great Famine strikes and food runs out, Oona must leave the only community she knows. Drifting to sleep under a thorn bush on a snowy Christmas Eve, her lifetime of quiet kindness is about to be rewarded. Wake up with Oona to discover a wonderful holiday miracle where the fairies of Ireland finally make her greatest dream come true.