Jim Murphy Boeken

An account of Robert Louis Stevenson’s twelve-day journey from New York to California in 1879 to see his ailing fiancé provides the opportunity to experience a cross-country journey firsthand. Drawn from Stevenson’s journal,  Across America  offers a unique and fascinating primary-source account of transcontinental train travel. Interwoven with descriptions of traveling companions, other emigrants, and their collective experiences, Across America weaves together the broader story—the building of the transcontinental railroad and the settling of the West. Stevenson’s journey becomes the dramatic and moving window through which to experience the effect of the railroads on the territories they crossed; the disruption and destruction of Native American life they caused; the slaughter of the buffalo; as well as portraits of the towns that quickly came and vanished as the construction crews moved on. Through Stevenson’s memoirs, one also experiences the excitement of hope and the lure of the West. Illustrated with numerous period maps, drawings, photos and engravings that bring the story of westward expansion uniquely to life. NCTE Orbis Pictus Award * The Jefferson Cup Award * An ALA Notable Children’s Book

This guide offers a lively exploration of Philadelphia's notable figures and historical landmarks, presenting them in a fast-paced and quirky manner. Readers will discover intriguing stories and lesser-known facts about the city's heroes and significant sites, making it an engaging resource for both locals and visitors. The book combines humor and history, providing a fresh perspective on Philadelphia's rich cultural heritage.

Engaging with American history and culture, this poetry collection showcases a diverse range of styles and subjects. The poems feature both straightforward narratives and experimental forms, exploring iconic figures like Elvis Presley and Holly Golightly. The collection employs various poetic structures, including the intricate sestina and rondau, as well as loose blank verse and syncopated free verse, reflecting a rich tapestry of American voices and experiences.

The collection features ten extraordinary tales from real-life adventurers, each story promising to be larger-than-life, hilariously entertaining, and bizarrely captivating. These narratives delve into the unique experiences and challenges faced by the adventurers, showcasing their remarkable journeys and the unexpected twists that reality can offer. Readers can expect a blend of humor and wonder as they explore the wild and unpredictable nature of these true accounts.

Follows a typical day in the life of a family of Hypsilophodons, a smaller, lesser-known dinosaur whose great speed aided its survival.

The fire of 1871 left Chicago a wasteland with nearly 100,000 homeless people, but they were able to rebuild the city.

The first humorous book in the Dear America series follows an Italian girl's immigrant family as they move from New York City to a utopian community in the frontier West.While traveling in 1883 with her Italian American family (including a meddlesome little sister) and other immigrant pioneers to a utopian community in Idaho, fourteen-year-old Teresa keeps a diary of her experiences along the way.

Following her father's death from a disease that swept through her Nebraska town in 1881, teenaged Sarah Jane must find work to support herself and records in her diary her experiences as a young school teacher.

Exploring the interplay of beauty and loss, Jim Murphy's collection delves into contemporary anxieties with profound depth. The poems combine elegiac tones with influences from Zen, jazz, and popular music, creating a rich tapestry of emotion. Each line resonates with echoes of terror and celebration, inviting readers to experience moments of silence and light. Murphy captures the essence of the present, urging us to savor each poem, which lingers in the mind long after being read.

This engaging story, complemented by captivating illustrations, aims to inspire confidence in children as they face life's challenges. Suitable for readers of all ages, it encourages resilience and positivity, making it a valuable read for both young and old alike.