Illinois Authors

For the first 128 years of our country's history, not a single woman served in the United States Senate or House of Representatives. All of that changed, however, in November 1916, when Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first woman elected to Congress -- even before the Nineteenth Amendment gave women across the U.S. the right to vote. Beginning with the women's suffrage movement and going all the way through the results of the 2012 election, Ilene Cooper covers more than a century of U.S. history in order to highlight the influential and diverse group of female leaders who opened doors for women in politics as well as the nation as a whole.

Golden Books, New York : 2000.

Bobby is a shy boy until he gets a beagle puppy named Lucy, who helps him to make new friends.

Golden Books, New York : ©2000.

When his beagle Lucy runs off chasing a big orange cat, Bobby must overcome his shyness in order to find them again.

Entering his beagle, Lucy, in a contest to be "spokespet" for Pet-O-Rama helps shy, nine-year-old Bobby get over his anxiety about speaking in front of groups of people, from his third-grade classmates to the contest judges.

Random House, New York : ©2011.

Lucy, the beagle, does not mind her humans very well until third-grader Bobby joins a soccer team, Lucy becomes the mascot, and the coach gives Lucy obedience training.

Random House, New York : ©2012.

Halloween is near and Bobby has a great idea for costumes for himself and his dog, Lucy, but when he brings Lucy's costume to school for show-and-tell it disappears, and Bobby suspects the unfriendly new student took it.

Bobby Quinn has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving--his grandmother's visit, an adopted baby brother or sister on the way--but what he's most thankful for is his beagle Lucy, who hasn't been acting like herself lately--

With still unnamed twin baby sisters at home, Bobby, owner of an boisterous pet beagle, is worried that his parents will have no time to celebrate Christmas.

Feiwel and Friends, New York : 2011.

When seventh-grader Bette finds an angel coin she puts it in her pocket and forgets it but soon the mysterious and kind Gabby moves into her building and helps her face her major losses, and then the coin connects her with three classmates who all find new ways to believe in themselves.

HarperCollins, New York : 1995.

When Buddy interviews family and friends on videotape, he learns surprising things about his family and himself.

From a shy and fearful child, Eleanor Roosevelt grew up to be not only First Lady of the United States, but one of the most influential women in U.S. history. Hers is a remarkable story of doing the thing you think you cannot do in order to work for change and to better the lives of others. Come learn about Eleanor, who challenges everyone - no matter his or her talents or gifts - to live a useful and fulfilling life.

An illustrated history of Jerusalem's controversial Temple Mount, a site sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike--

Bullseye Books, Alfred A. Knopf, New York : 1991.

As she takes ballet lessons and participates in a school play, a timid fourth-grader confronts her fears and learns a lesson about friendship.

Bullseye Books : New York : 1991.

A shy fourth-grader becomes more assertive as she dances the lead role at a recital, suggests a community project in class, and starts to wear her new glasses.

Bullseye Books, New York : 1991.

When her best friend moves away, shy fourth-grader Frances McAllister must make new friends, and in so doing learns to stick up for herself.

Viking, New York : ©1997.

Karen's dreams, which years ago foretold the death of her father, are now warning her of another impending tragedy.

Dutton Children's Books, New York : 2003.

A description of the childhood and youth of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president of the United States.

When Jake goes to kindergarten, a bully teases him about sucking his thumb, but Jake discovers that everyone--even bullies--needs some help being brave.

Harry N. Abrams, New York : 2002.

Explains the origins and meaning of the major Jewish holidays, describes how they are observed, and suggests related crafts and recipes.

Puffin Books, New York, NY, U.S.A. : ©1993.

Personal problems for both Alison and Jamie threaten to disrupt their performances in the new television series "Sticks and Stones."

Random House Children's Books, New York : ©2011.

When Lucy the beagle goes to a lake with Bobby and his family, she does not want to go in the water and, instead, has an adventure on her own.

When Mom and Lucy the beagle go to school to deliver Bobby's forgotten lunch, Lucy gets loose.

Puffin Books, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : 1993.

Temperaments clash on the set when veteran child actress Jamie and sheltered rich girl Alison are cast as the stars of a new television series.

Viking, New York, N.Y. : 1996.

Five friends from summer camp renew their relationship over the holidays with a trip to New York City.

Presents the life of the African American talk-show host, describing her rise from poverty to her current status as one the country's most financially successful television personalities.

Bt Bound, 2006.

When the cast of "Sticks and Stones" takes to the road for a publicity tour, the uneasy truce between the two stars is threatened by Jamie's ego and Alison's stage fright.

Viking, New York : 1996.

The Holiday Five's return to Camp Wildwood may be spoiled when it appears that three of the girls may not be able to attend after all.

Puffin Books, New York : 1996, ©1995.

Tired of her mother urging her to diet, twelve-year-old Maddy finds the motivation to lose weight after meeting a handsome new student.

F. Watts, New York : 1984.

A biography of one of the first leaders of the campaign for women's rights who helped organize the women's suffrage movement.

Random House Children's Books, New York : 2009.

Tim starts the Annoying Team to get back at the third-grade bully, but things get out of hand as the group's activities expand.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1997.

Details the important archaeological discovery of the ancient manuscripts known as the Dead Sea Scrolls and discusses efforts to translate them, the battle over their possession, and the people who have figured in their history.

Grandpa explains that the golden rule is a simple statement on how to live that can be practiced by people of all ages and faiths, then helps his grandson figure out how to apply the rule to his own life.

Jonathan doesn't want his father to think he's a quitter, but middle school basketball--under the lash of a gung-ho coach--is turning out to be anything but fun.

Puffin Books, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : 1992.

Having alienated her best friend Robin, eleven-year-old Veronica has no one to turn to for sympathy and support when it appears that her divorced father might remarry.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1988.

After helping her supposed best friend Veronica found the sixth grade's secret club, the Awesome Kennedy Girls, Robin accidentally gets on her wrong side and discovers how bossy and cruel Veronica really is.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1992.

Formerly "Hippo Hubbard" of the sixth grade, Gretchen slims down but feels uncomfortable receiving compliments and attention from her classmates.

Morrow Junior Books, New York : ©1987.

No matter how hard she tries, Carrie fails to impress her attractive, new fifth-grade teacher who favors the more popular members of the class and either ignores or criticizes Carrie and her new friend Luke, the class nerd.

Penguin Group, New York : 1995, ©1994.

Feeling out-of-place when she visits her father's new family, Kathy decides to spend Christmas with the close-knit family of Erin, one of her friends from summer camp.

Puffin Books, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. : ©1995.

Lia makes four new friends at summer camp, but when they come to her house in Maple Park, Illinois, at Halloween, she worries that they will discover that she is not so popular in her seventh grade class.

Alison and Jamie continue to find that being television stars has its downside, as Jamie gets grief about her dramatic weight loss and Alison gets weird fan mail from a menacing secret admirer.