Capital Days: Michael Shiner's Journal and the Growth of Our Nation's Capital

By Tonya Bolden

“Details the story of Michael Shiner, a slave in nineteenth-century America . . . this excellent title offers a uniquely personal look at history. A must-have.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

Capital Days introduces young readers to Washington, D.C., during the early to mid-19th century. Spanning more than 60 years, the story of Michael Shiner (c. 1804–1880) highlights a period of immense change in our country and its capital. Covering the burning of the city during the War of 1812, the rebuilding of the Capitol and White House, the raising of the Washington Monument, and on through the Civil War, the end of slavery, and numerous other “capital days,” this book offers readers fresh insights and background on how our nation's capital came to be. The book includes excerpts from Shiner’s diary, other primary sources, archival images, and a timeline. Much as she did in Maritcha and Searching forSarah Rector, award-winning author Tonya Bolden expertly examines the intricacies of American history through the lens of one relatable person’s life.

“A broad, tantalizing glimpse of history in the making.” —Booklist

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jan 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781613126875

Tonya Bolden

Tonya Bolden is a critically acclaimed award-winning author/co-author/editor of more than two dozen books for young people. They include Finding Family which received two starred reviews and was a Kirkus Reviewsand Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year; Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl, a Coretta Scott King honor book and James Madison Book Award winner; MLK: Journey of a King, winner of a National Council of Teachers of English Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children; Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty, an ALSC Notable Children's Book, CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, and winner of the NCSS Carter G. Woodson Middle Level Book Award. Tonya also received the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC's Nonfiction Award. A Princeton University magna cum laude baccalaureate with a master's degree from Columbia University, Tonya lives in New York City. www.tonyaboldenbooks.com

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