Breaking News!!!! ---- The Buffalo Soldier has been named a Notable Book by NCSS/CBC (National Council of Social Studies/Children's Book Council). It also just received the Storytelling World Award (Honor) in Category 2 for pre-adolescent readers. And, it was a Texas Institute of Letters Award finalist (only 3 finalists).

Latest news on forthcoming books:
1) THE BUFFALO SOLDIER -- Fall, 2006 -- Click here for more details:
2) BEST HORSE ON THE FORCE- now in paperback -- Fall, 2006 -- Click here for more details:
3) IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALAMO -- coming in paperback -- 2008 -- Click here for more details:

I am happy to announce that my next picture book will be on the topic of Buffalo Soldiers, those extraordinary African-American men who served in all-black regiments of the United States Army after the Civil War and onward until the segregation of units was abolished during the Korean War. In spite of hardships and discrimination, they served the United States Army with dignity and courage. Eighteen Buffalo Soldiers won the Congressional Medal of Honor during the Indian Wars. My book focuses on the time period from 1866-1898 and includes a detailed historical note.

ILLUSTRATOR -- This book is illustrated by the award-winning artist, Ronald Himler, whose career has spanned 30 years and includes close to 80 books, including my own book, VOICES OF THE ALAMO. Mr. Himler is a stickler for historical detail and loves the Southwest, so his illustrations are marvelous.

STORYLINE -- Told from the point of view of a former slave, the narrative begins in 1865 when he is fifteen and the Civil War ends. He is set free, but finds that he cannot make a living, so he joins the US Army. Each spread describes an event in the life of a typical Buffalo Soldier, in this case a Cavalryman who served in Texas, Arizona, the Dakotas, and even Cuba in the Spanish American War. He learns how to be a soldier, learns how to read and write, helps build forts, stretch telegraph lines, survey for railroads, protect settlers, mail carriers, and stage coaches. He fights in the Indian Wars and later in the Spanish American War in Cuba in 1898. The story ends in 1945 when the narrator is an old man of 92.

RESEARCH--For research (in addition to reading dozens of history books), I travelled to the rugged west/southwestern parts of Texas where the main frontier forts were located during the Indian Wars (1866-1891). These included Fort Concho, Fort Davis, Fort McKeavett, and Fort Stockton.

PUBLICATION DATE: Release date for THE BUFFALO SOLDIER is September, 2006
(Pelican Publishing Co.)
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I am happy to announce that my very first chapter book is being brought back to life and will be released in paperback this Fall. This book for grades 2 - 4 was originally published in hard cover by Henry Holt & Co in 1991. The old dust jacket, which depicted two boys dressed in cowboy costumes (don't ask!!) has been replaced by a more contemporary scene. The story takes place in Houston and centers around two boys, Brandon and Wayne, who help at the Mounted Police horse stables. When a practical joke on a young rookie cop goes terribly wrong, the boys must find a way to exonerate their favorite police horse, Skyjacker. This book was very popular among boys, as well as girls who love horses. If all goes well, there will be a couple of sequels (Pelican Publishing, Fall 2006)
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IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALAMO ( Harcourt & Co.) Paperback release - 2008.
In this award-winning YA historical novel, a 15 year old Mexican soldier, Lorenzo, recounts the whirling storm of events into which he is swept in 1835-36. From being conscripted against his will into General Santa Anna's army to enduring gruelling marches, horrific battles and personal tragedies, Lorenzo finds himself in the middle of events that forever changed history for both sides of the Texas War for Independence from Mexico.
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