American Stories for Gutsy Girls is a multi-author series featuring stories of girls from diverse backgrounds in America's past.
The Four Seasons of Florence Wallace
What does it take to move beyond the past and present to grow a future?
This historical novel about a Black orphan girl grappling for a solid place in Civil War-era New York City will inspire tweens to dream big, rise above society's limitations, and find their way by being a place for others to belong.
Against her wishes, Florence finds herself at the Colored Orphan Asylum in New York City, along with her younger sister, Eva. Believing her Mama will come back for her, Florence perseveres. She finds hope and purpose in newfound friends, in the words of female abolitionists and suffragists, in memories of her father's confidence in her, and in a sunflower patch in the back of the orphanage's garden. But when the Draft Riots occur, the orphanage is destroyed in a fire, leaving Florence to wonder if the dreams of a colored girl are even worth pursuing.
Readers will appreciate Florence's honesty and struggle with doing the right thing as they cheer her on in discovering what she truly wants and in committing to following the challenging road to her dream.
Part of the Own Voices historical series American Stories for Gutsy Girls, this dramatic, heartwarming novel from Kirstie Myvett . . .
- Transports children into the past and gives them insight into the life of Northern Blacks during slavery with a compelling story full of mystery, mishaps, and meaning;
- Encourages tweens to be a friend in every circumstance and to bring others with them as they succeed;
- Shows children that no matter what expectations the world has for them, they can follow their own dreams;
- Is perfect for fans of Jacqueline Woodson, Kekla Magoon, Lesa Cline-Ransome, and Christopher Paul Curtis; and
- Includes black-and-white illustrations.
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Meet the Author
Kirstie Myvett is the author of several books for children, including The Praline Lady (2020), What You Never Knew About Rihanna (2025), and The Moss Picker (2026). Kirstie's work has also appeared in Country Roads Magazine.
Kirstie is the co-founder of KidLit in Color, a blog that amplifies BIPOC and indigenous voices in the publishing industry. Kirstie believes that representation matters in all places and spaces, especially in the pages of books. When Kirstie isn't writing, she's spending time with her family in the unique city of New Orleans.
Five Days at the Hotel Adams
The Hotel Adams holds many secrets-Ruth and Luisa must unravel them before they go up in flames.
From Hispanic author Hailey Alcaraz, this historical tale of arson, sleuthing, and finding friendship in unlikely places is based on the real Hotel Adams fire of 1910. It's up to two Latina girls to turn their knack for being overlooked and underestimated into their greatest strength as they unravel a complex web of suspects, clues, and motives.
Ruth and Luisa live very different lives within the dusty desert town of Phoenix. Ruth is the only child of a political official. She spends her days stuffed into scratchy dresses and smiling prettily in the ballrooms of the Hotel Adams. Luisa is a young housekeeper. She looks at the Persian rug and thinks, I also know what it feels like to be walked over, barely noticed, and covered in other people's dirt. The girls stumble into a partnership when they overhear a plan to set fire to the hotel, a political hot spot for the growing western town. As they race to figure out who is behind the plot--and how to stop them--they must not only overcome what other people expect from them but what they've grown to expect from themselves.
Part of the Own Voices historical series American Stories for Gutsy Girls Five Days at the Hotel Adams . . .
- Transports children into the past with a compelling story full of secrets, subterfuge, and sisterhood;
- Encourages tweens to look for friends in unexpected places;
- Is perfect for fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan and Erin Entrada Kelly; and
- Includes black-and-white illustrations.
Enjoy this fast-paced adventure story in which two girls race against the clock to stop a crime as they learn that good always comes from trying your best--even if the outcome is the last thing you expected.
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Meet the Author
Hailey Alcaraz began her writing career in the sixth grade as a kid reporter for Time for Kids magazine, and has been addicted to storytelling ever since. Born in California and raised in Arizona, she's a Southwest girl through and through who loves stories about fellow multicultural girls finding their way in the world. Hailey is the author of the young adult novels Up in Flames and Rosa, By Any Other Name. She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband, two daughters, and a precocious German Shepherd. Connect with her online at haileyalcaraz.com and @alcarazbooks on social.
Chloe Through the Cracks
Coming Summer 2027
This historical novel about a neurodivergent girl’s resilience, compassion, and self-discovery following the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco will inspire readers to embrace their authentic selves and welcome others’ different ways of experiencing the world.
After a massive earthquake destroys her home, Chloe Taggart is yanked out of her highly structured world of birdwatching, drawing, and homeschooling and into a refugee camp that assaults her senses with noise, dirt, new experiences, and chaotic living conditions. Separated from her parents by the disaster, Chloe is faced with the seemingly impossible tasks of caring for her brother, cooking, doing laundry, and speaking up for herself and others who are underestimated. Can Chloe manage primitive tent living and be a good friend to those who need her or will she become overwhelmed and shut down?
Part of the Own Voices historical series American Stories for Gutsy Girls Chloe Through the Cracks ...
- Transports children into the past and gives them insight into the experiences of a neurotypical child before modern psychology;
- Encourages tweens to be their own brand of unique and embrace their interests and individual perspective;
- Is perfect for fans of Ann Clare LeZotte’s Show Me a Sign, Rob Harrell’s Wink and Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; and
- Includes black-and-white illustrations.
Enjoy this heart-engaging and eye-opening coming-of-age story that shows everyone is capable of something amazing and persistence pays off.
Meet the Author
Mona Hodgson is an Arizona Girl, taco Tuesday fan, a Neuroendocrine Cancer survivor, a Jesus follower, and the author of 43 Children's Books and Inspirational, Historical Romance. Thirty-one children's books and twelve historical novels and novellas for adults, including Bedtime in the Southwest, I Can Talk to God, Yo Puedo Hablar con Dios, Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional, The Princess Twins books, The Best Breakfast, and The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek novels.
