174 Cider Mill Rd.
Mt. Sidney, VA 24467
leonhardt.alice@verizon.net
Alison Hart has been writing since she was seven years old when she wrote, illustrated and self-published The Wild Dog. (A book she still shows young readers to prove that it's never too early to be an author) Today she is an adjunct college instructor teaching reading and writing as well as the author of over twenty mysteries and historical suspense novels for young readers. "I honed my craft writing Nancy Drew mysteries and quickly developed a love of strong characters who are thrown into suspenseful situations; in other words, I love writing books that keep young readers glued to the pages."
Research is another passion, and old journals, letters and memoirs are her favorites, often sparking ideas for future books. "When I read a diary written long ago, I feel an incredible connection to the past, a connection that I hope to bring to my own books. Well-researched historical fiction should bring to life the people, events and struggles of the past and make them relevant and real for today's young readers."
Bell's Star
Book Two in the "Horse Diaries" series
March 2009, Random House, Ages 7 and up ISBN-10: 0375852042 ISBN-13: 978-0375852046
"Bell's Star is a brown Morgan colt who was bred for hard work, yet he longs to run free with his human friend, Katie, on his back.
But when Star helps rescue a runaway slave girl, his ideas about freedom may change forever. Here is Star's story . . . in his own words."
Gabriel's Horses
Book One of the Racing to Freedom trilogy.
April 2007, Peachtree Publishers. Ages 9 and up. Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-15645-398-6
www.peachtree-online.com
"During the dangers of the Civil War, a young Kentucky slave dares to dream about becoming a famous jockey.”
"The boy's first-person, present-tense narrative brings close the thrilling horse racing – on the plantation, at the race course, and in the war – and the African American history in all its complexity."
-Booklist
- 2009-2010 nominee Young Hoosier Book Award (Indiana)
- 2009-2010 nominee Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri)
- 2009-2010 nominee Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award
- 2009-2010 nominee West Virginia Children's Book Award
- 2008-09 Texas Bluebonnet Master List
- 2008-09 Keystone State Young Adult nominee
- 2008 Kansas State Reading Circle nominee
- 2008-09 Flicker Tale nominee
- Junior Library Guild selection
GABRIEL'S TRIUMPH
Book Two of the Racing to Freedom trilogy.
October 2007 Peachtree Publishers. Ages 9 and up. Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-15645-410-5
www.peachtree-online.com
"In addition to enjoying an engaging story, readers will learn about horse racing as well as the plight of African Americans, both enslaved and free, during the Civil War era. In short, it is entertainment and education in one sleek package."
-Children's Literature
- 2008-2009 nominee Kansas State Reading Circle
- Junior Library Guild Selection
GABRIEL'S JOURNEY
Book Three of the Racing to Freedom trilogy.
April 2008 Peachtree Publishers. Ages 9 and up. ISBN: 978-1-56145-442-6
www.peachtree-online.com
"Gabriel joins the Union cavalry and fights for freedom at the Battle of Saltville during the Civil War."
- Junior Library Guild selection
Anna's Blizzard
October 2005, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 8 and up. Hardcover ISBN:1-56145-349-8
www.peachtree-online.com
"Anna's Blizzard is an inspiring story about a young girl braving the elements to survive the Schoolchildren's Blizzard of 1888.”
-Children's Literature
"Anna is a strong, appealing heroine, and the story is suspenseful.”
-SLJ
" . . . readers should identify with Anna and admire her spunk.”
-Kirkus
"This book is reminiscent of the Little House on the Prairie series, and offers a good historical point of view in a more concise and simpler version than the Wilder books.
This enjoyable read is recommended for early readers and especially for reluctant readers."
-ForeWord
- 2008-2009 nominee Nebraska Golden Sower Award
- 2006 IRA Teacher's Choice
- WILLA Finalist
A Spy on the Home Front: A Molly Mystery
2005, American Girl/Pleasant Co.Publications, Ages 9 and up.
$10.95, Hardback ISBN:1-58485-996-2
$6.95, Paperback ISBN: 1-58485-988-1
"In "A Spy on the Homefront", ten-year old Molly is visiting her grandparents in the summer of 1944 when the son of a neighboring German immigrant family is accused of anti-American activities. His family faces the specter of being sent to an internment camp. Molly and the accused young man's 10-year-old sister embark on a sometimes harrowing Nancy Drew-like sleuthing effort in hopes of clearing his name. In the mark of a good mystery, their adventures take a new twisting turn each time things seem to slow down.
Hart's tale is a thought-provoking history lesson that looks particularly at how government can turn on citizens in the guise of wartime security. Yet it never bogs readers down in historic detail to the detriment of the unfolding drama."
-The Capitol Times
Danger at the Wild West Show
2003, American Girls/Pleasant Co. Publications. Ages 8 and up.
Hardback $10.95 ISBN: 1-58485-718-8
Paperback $6.95 ISBN: 1-58485-717-X
"This entry in the "History Mysteries" of American Girl vividly portrays the Wild West Shows of the late 19th century. Rose Taylor practices hard with her sharpshooter brother Zane to become a trick rider for Levi Frontier's Wild West Show. Eager and curious, Rose befriends a host of characters, from the Sioux Chief White Bear who performs in order to support his tribe on the arid reservation to the namby pamby Oliver, who loves studying and is scared of horses. When brother Zane is accused of shooting a politician, Rose uses logic and a few clues from her Sioux friends to free her brother from jail by proving who shot General Judson. In this exciting tale the reader is introduced not only to the excitement of the wild west shows but also to the political reality of the Western land grabs and the sufferings of the Indians forced off their homelands and onto reservations."
-Children's Literature
Fires of Jubilee
2003, Aladdin, Ages 9 and up. $4.99 ISBN: 0-689-85528-1
"Fires of Jubilee is a compelling book of historical fiction that captures the flavor of the most dramatic time in your nation's history. Alison Hart has crafted a work that will satisfy and educate young readers as well as their parents. Scenes in the book give an accurate portrayal of slavery in the uplands of Virginia, and of the dreams and aspirations of a girl named Abby."
~John Heatwole, Historian and Author of "The Burning-Sheridan's Campaign of Destruction in the Shenandoah Valley".
". . this novel offers an interesting look at a sad time in the nation's history. The characters are depicted as real people with faults as well as good points. The book will give some readers a better grasp of the effects of the war on everyone."
-School Library Journal
"This historical fiction mystery will hold a young reader's attention from beginning to end."
Children's Literature
Rescue: A Police Story
2002, Random House Children's Books. $3.99 Ages 7 and up. ISBN: 0-679-89366-0
"Using names of actual peace officers from the Staunton Virginia Police Department, Hart creates a fictitious botched bank robbery both to tell an exciting tale and to show readers the inside workings of a real police squad. …. There's plenty of tension to excite readers as well as much about the strategies and equipment a police force uses to handle crises. Context specific vocabulary words appear in boldface or italics, then are listed in a glossary that includes a definition of each word as well as a sample sentence. To further enhance learning, the book employs interesting and relevant sidebars and photos. A minute-by-minute adventure that is both informative and compelling."
-Booklist
Return of the Gypsy Witch
2003, Aladdin Ages 8 and up. $4.99 ISBN: 0-689-85527-3
"Allie, 12, longs to work on cases with her 28-year-old half sister, Kat, who runs their recently deceased dad's detective agency. When a mysterious man employs the private investigator to hold his briefcase for him, Allie is suspicious, and when he becomes a hit and run victim, she tries to convince her sibling that something is fishy. . . The rest of the case unfolds as the sisters pursue the clues, learn that the hit-and-run was no accident, and find themselves in peril. This fairly fast-paced mystery has trendy writing and lots of dialogue and will entertain readers not yet ready for Wendelin Van Draanen's "Sammy Keyes" novels."
- School Library Journal
"It's a classic good-PI, bad PI comic duo, with Kat following procedure and Allie never missing a chance for comic mischief."
-Booklist
- Honor Book Award 2004 Society of School Librarians International
Shadow Horse
1999, Random House Children's Books. $4.99 Ages 10 and up. ISBN: 0-375-80263-0
"The well-drawn setting and believable subplots add depth to the story."
-Hornbook
"Hart does an excellent job making her characters real, and she gives us a good look at what families are supposed to be about, finding the courage to stand up for what we know is right, and the importance of trust. This would make an excellent book for the library, the classroom, or the home."
-Kliatt-starred review
"This book won't need much space, since it will be grabbed by young mystery enthusiasts and horse-story fans alike."
-School Library Journal
- 2000 Edgar Nominee
- 2003-2004 Association for Indiana Media Educators Read-Aloud Books to Good to Miss
