Joaquin Miller dedicated this book to "my dear little daughter...for whose pleasure and instruction I have many times dug up the most of these stories from out the days of my boyhood." In his preface he claims to prefer true stories to made-up ones. And he always defends bears, which he thinks have gotten an undeserved bad reputation from the general populous. Miller strives here to pass on a respect for the variety and wisdom in the lives of real bears. But perhaps we should offer one caution: throughout his life Joaquin Miller gained a reputation for being a supreme liar!

The tales of King Arthur and his Knights are of Celtic origin. The Celts were the people who occupied Britain at the time when the history of the country opens… It is believed that King Arthur lived in the sixth century, just after the Romans withdrew from Britain… the stories came to be handed down from father to son, in Brittany (whose people are of the same family as the Welsh) as well as in Wales and England… [story-tellers altered the stories to suit their times down through the centuries] …and so in their altered and historically inaccurate form they have reached us at the present day...

The original story of the Nutcracker, weird and wonderful by one of the masters of horror and weirdness.

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to go to boarding school and play on the school team, in this second volume of the Baseball Joe series. Joe is a wide-awake country boy who enjoys playing baseball. We follow his career in the series, and his adventures, as he and hometown chum Tom Davis enroll in Excelsior Hall and join the school nine, are recounted here. When not on the diamond, Joe is saving lives and assisting his father against foes who are once again trying to steal Mr. Matson's machinery patents...

A crack American flying troop has been sent to France, where they await further instructions. They are concerned that their extensive talents will not be put to good use in the war. Major Cowan introduces Lt. McGee as the British instructor for the crew. It turns out the Brit is actually an American, born in the U.S., even though his parents were British. McGee and Larkin are flying partners. Out on a mission, McGee spots a small enemy plane in a searchlight, probably intent on dropping flares to mark targets for bombers...

The Elder or Poetic Edda is a collection of Old Norse poems dating from the thirteenth century CE. Though no two translators or editors seem to agree on precisely which poems should be included in this collection, the Elder Edda is the most important source for Norse mythology and legends of northern European heroes. The later "Younger" or Prose Edda, gathered or transcribed by Snorri Sturluson in about 1220 CE, is the other such source, largely drawing on and even directly quoting from the poetic material of the Elder Edda...

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to become a professional baseball pitcher. The Baseball Joe series follows his career as he seeks to attain his goal. In this volume, Joe follows the wishes of his parents and attends college, and seeks to join the Yale University varsity baseball nine. Much to his disappointment, he finds that he cannot immediately do so, due to a Yale rule barring Freshmen from placement on the varsity. We follow his college adventures through his first and second years, with emphasis on his trials in making the team in year two, including the attempts of a rival pitcher to keep him off the team...

Grace Harlowe continues her adventures in Europe, during World War I. She faces many perils and suffers heart ache, but still puts all of her effort into the war, driving her ambulance to help the injured American soldiers.

Never was there a more clever young aviator than Dave Dashaway, and all up-to-date youths will be will surely wish to hear about about him. In this, the last volume of the Dave Dashaway adventure series, Dave, with the assistance of his loyal chum Hiram Dobbs, makes several daring trips, and then enters a contest for a big prize. An aviation tale thrilling in the extreme. Written by Weldon J. Cobb under the Stratemeyer Syndicate pseudonym "Roy Rockwood."

A tale of the Riverpark Academy for cadets, in which there is growing discontent leading to a revolt against the academy's leaders. The rebellion takes the form of an unauthorized "holiday" in which a number of cadets leave the grounds for a some fun, including attending a circus. The story follows one cadet's descent into dishonor and disgrace, and how he strives to become an honorable boy again. - Summary by Donald Cummings

Ann Hawkshaw's fourth and final collection was published privately and named for her young grandson, Cecil Wedgwood. Written for children, the volume alternates prose with poetry and is lighter in tone than her earlier work, although poems such as 'The Discontented Stream' and 'The Ambitious Water-Lily' are tinged with a sense of waste. The final piece in the collection, 'In Memoriam', is a moving elegy on childhood death, which alludes to Hawkshaw's loss of three children including Cecil's mother who died shortly after his birth. - Summary by Phil Benson

Grace Harlowe with the Yankee Shock Boys at St. Quentin finds Grace an active participant in that most brilliant single achievement of the war, the breaking of the Hindenburg Line.

The romance entitled "The Achievements of the Ingenious Gentleman, Don Quixote de la Mancha," was originally written in Spanish by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra in the 17th century. It has been read and enjoyed by men and women of the most diverse tastes and conditions. The story is so simple that every one can understand it, and yet it has in it so much wisdom that the wisest may derive pleasure from it. It touches the sense of humor in every heart. It moves to pity rather than ridicule, and to tears as well as laughter...

When her parents go to India for two years, 9 year old Jenny is cared for by her aunts. Aunt Abby is caretaker in a large many-roomed house, where Jenny meets and hears the stories of many interesting occupants. The owner of the house is remote in both location and character. She visits only occasionally, but what was her story, and how will she react to Jenny's presence? - Summary by Carod

Polly Pepper loves to tell stories, but there just isn't enough room in the other books to include her stories! So, since "the author has received from mothers and other persons interested in the Pepper Family, so many requests for the Stories told by Polly Pepper ... this initial volume of Polly’s earlier stories has been prepared in obedience to these requests" . So curl up at Polly's feet, in front of the warm fire, and enjoy the Stories Polly Pepper Told to the Five Little Peppers in the Little Brown House! - Summary by Rachel

Gertrude Chandler Warner, known mainly for her "Boxcar Children" series of mystery books, published this small book of Astronomy, Constellations, and the stories behind them in 1918. It follows the story of a little girl named Helen, and her friend Dr. Lorry as she learns about stars through stories, games, and more.

This 1957 book contains thirteen pre-space-exploration stories for young readers. Some of the details show their dated composition but the sense of adventure will still hold attention for the young. - Summary by david wales

Penny Parker is a teen-aged sleuth and amateur reporter with an uncanny knack for uncovering and solving unusual, sometimes bizarre mysteries. The only daughter of widower Anthony Parker, publisher of the "Riverview Star," Penny has been raised to be self-sufficient, outspoken, innovative, and extraordinarily tenacious. Her cheerful, chatty manner belies a shrewd and keenly observant mind. Penny was the creation of Mildred A. Wirt, who was also the author of the original Nancy Drew series . Wirt became frustrated when she was pushed to "tone down" Nancy Drew and make her less independent and daring...

Thirty-one little evening devotionals, simple enough for the child audience for which they were written, but also inspiring for adults needing spiritual refreshment.

This is a volume of five short stories for Children. Each of them contains a cute little learning experience and a happy end. - Summary by Carolin

Sprinkled with literary quotes and little jests, this is a history of and guide to playing Euchre, with a short portion on playing 5-card draw poker. Some of the major differences between the described game and modern Euchre include the following: Today, a game is generally played to 10 points, rather than 5 . This will also change the "playing to the Bridge" discussion in this work. Today, only the 9, 10, J , Q, K, and A cards are used . Today, when a player announces they are playing alone, their partner cannot take the privilege of playing alone away from them...

This pussycat is out to have some adventurous fun in this enjoyable fairy tale for boys, girls and parents. Summary by Lynda Marie Neilson

Through travelogues, lifestyle descriptions and cultural notes the reader will visit China, Japan, India, Korea, parts of the Holy Land and Turkey as they were in the early 20th century. Summary by BettyB

In this third installment from the “Ragged Dick” series by Horatio Algers, Jr., the reader is reacquainted with some old friends and meets young Mark Manton. Mark is a match boy plagued by bad luck and an even worse guardian. But, with new friends, hard work, and smart choices, Mark may just find his luck taking a turn for the better. summary by tfaulder

This is a fantasy story about a little girl, 5-years old, who is the given the ability to converse with animals. - Summary by april6090

Join a journey through the Holy Land and Syria as it existed in the early 20th century. Visiting and learning of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Palestine and other fascinating and sacred spots of this truly historic region. Summary by BettyB.

Delightful and touching this wonderful little story should appeal to both the young and young at heart. Having lived happily with their grandmother in a large country home all of their young lives Babs 5, and Teddy 7, suddenly find themselves uprooted to become the temporary charges of an uncle and rather selfish 'society' aunt as they await the return of their parents from INJA. Babs is fearless and her pranks, her embarrassing frankness and many complaints about what she claims are unnecessary rebukes from the adults in her life will make you smile and sometimes break your heart. Enjoy! - Summary by Celine Major

Another of the charming Mary Frances books, this one 'Among the Kitchen People', where young girls are encouraged to be mother's helper's in the kitchen, as Mary Frances wants nothing more than to be useful. She learns how to make tea, toast and boiled eggs, among other things, as she enjoys adventures with her many friends, including Mantel Clock, Auntie Rolling Pin and Yellow Bowl. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to become a professional baseball pitcher. The Baseball Joe series follows his career as he seeks to attain his goal. In this fourth volume, Joe accepts a contract to play baseball professionally, and leaves Yale to play on the Pittston team for the Central League, a "bush league" in the professional baseball hierarchy. Joe's career is helped by "Pop" Dutton, a famous pitcher now down on his luck, and hindered by a rival pitcher on the team, while at home, Joe's father is blinded by a chemical accident, and requires an expensive operation, which, if successful, will regain his sight...

Sixteen Christmas stories or essays.

The book is about a typical boy named Wendell, who lives in Boston and likes fairy stories and baseball MUCH more than fractions. Any more than this would be a spoiler! - Summary by Nan Dodge

St. Nicholas was a popular magazine aimed at young folks in the late nineteenth – early twentieth century. Its articles were usually well-written and often by authors who became famous later on. This collection of articles published in 1920, aimed at the youth market, can be easily enjoyed by adults as well. - Summary by David Wales