James Forten knew how important freedom was. He was a free African American born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When the American Revolution started in 1776, James was too young to help fight for freedom from British rule. But in 1781, at age fifteen, he took a job on the Royal Louis, an American ship. A British warship soon captured the Royal Louis. James was taken prisoner. The British often sold African American prisoners into slavery. What would happen to James? Would he ever see his family again?...

THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Recounts how Johnny Mickley, an eleven-year-old boy, helped his father to keep the Liberty Bell safe from the British during the Revolutionary War....

James Forten knew how important freedom was. He was a free African American born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When the American Revolution started in 1776, James was too young to help fight for freedom from British rule. But in 1781, at age fifteen, he took a job on the Royal Louis, an American ship. A British warship soon captured the Royal Louis. James was taken prisoner. The British often sold African American prisoners into slavery. What would happen to James? Would he ever see his family again? ...

Something isn't right in New Madrid, Missouri. Nine-year-old Marie sees hundreds of birds flying across the sky like a black cloud. The animals in the barn are restless. Then, early in the morning of December 16, 1811, an earthquake strikes. Chimneys across town tumble to the ground. Can Marie and her family find their way to safety?...