Books by Ryan G. Van Cleave

The Witness Trees: Historic Moments and the Trees Who Watched Them Happen: Includes a map to over 20 trees you can visit today

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

? “A gallery of stately trees around the world associated with times and events both historic and prehistoric….Moving and, as a way of connecting today’s readers to significant moments of the past, effective.”―Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
A 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Book (NCSS-CBC)
Nominee, 2024-2025 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards (MASL), Picture Book Category
Nominee, 2025 Utah Beehive Awards (CLAU), Informational Category

For generations, trees have silently witnessed history's most pivotal moments. Here are their stories.
??In the sweep of wind over grass,
near the pulse of rivers,
we stand,
monuments of bark
and age-curled green.
Above, an avalanche of stars.
Below, the ocean of earth.
Within, the uncounted lives
birthed, bloomed, and plucked
from the gardens we tend.
We survive.
We remember.
We witness.
In evocative verse and stunning artwork, Witness Trees is the story of the world's most enduring witnesses: the trees. From the Flower of Kent apple tree still standing in Sir Isaac Newton's yard, to the English oak given to Jesse Owens after facing down Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, to the California redwood saved from destruction by July Butterfly Hill, to the Callery pear tree still miraculously alive after the World Trade Towers fell, Witness Trees is a moving tribute to the world's most famous trees, many of which still need humanity's protection. Be moved, be inspired, be amazed by the quiet, reverberating voices of nature's sentinels: the witness trees.
For each tree depicted, there is information about that tree and the events it witnessed. Among the trees lovingly discussed are 20 treees you can visit today.
“Van Cleave’s decision to pull on both legend and historical fact works to the book’s advantage here, underscoring the idea that trees are witness not just to events in human history but also to the narratives we create around them in our attempts to shape an unpredictable world into orderly stories. The trees have no need for such order, anchored solidly into the earth, and the somber tone and poetic text have an aloof thoughtfulness―not coldly emotionless but distant enough to see an arc of wonder in the progress of the world.”―The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“’Our roots run deep―/ they grip history,/ a restless forever,’ open the incantatory first-person plural lines propelling this tribute….landscape illustrations comfortably portray historical and geographical scenes….By piling on examples, Van Cleave impresses upon readers trees’ enduring power.”―Publishers Weekly

Black History Heroes: Mae Jemison: Shooting for the Stars: The First Black Woman in Space (Black History Heroes, 2)

by Ryan G. Van Cleave, Chris Singleton

Featuring the life of former NASA astronaut, engineer, and physician Mae Jemison, the second title in the new Black History Heroes children's book series.
? "This empowering and engaging middle grade biography series about Black changemakers gets off to a strong start.....Strongly recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections."-School Library Journal, starred review
From Stanford and Cornell to the Peace Corps and from a trip on the space shuttle to an appearance on Start Trek, Mae Jemison's life continues to feature the hard work and dedication to science, healthcare, and care for others that brought her to the highest levels of a career in science. Written by former pro-baseball player, inspirational speaker, and author Chris Singleton.

An inspiration to millions, the life of Mae Jemison is indeed proof that Black history matters.
Black History Heroes shares the lives and inspirations of black men and women who changed the world,
yesterday, today, and for tomorrow.

Decide & Survive: Agent 355: Can You Win the Revolution? (Decide & Survive, 3)

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

A fast-paced, interactive adventure series for kids, featuring death-defying moments in history! This book features Agent 355, a female spy during the American Revolution.
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Agent 355 was one of the first spies for the United States. While the true identity of 355 remains unknown, here, young readers make decisions and determine their own survival by joining secret Agent 355 as the intrepid and brave American patriot spy. Along the way, readers can choose to thwart a counterfeiting scheme, warn General Washington of an assassination plot, or even save the day with Harry Potter's 11" wand.
The sky's the limit with your historical imagination!

Don't forget: YOU, the reader, are in the driver's seat! This time it's 1777 in Long Island, New York, and you're Myrtle Henderson's eleven-year-old niece. Stunned to discover your recently deceased mother was a member of the Culper Ring!, a group of spies so secret they don't even know each other! With each page turn YOU decide which way the story unravels.
This book like no other-to be used in a variety of ways-challenges puzzle-solving readers and ignites a love of history for life. The perfect gift or educational book, slyly written as an interactive narrative adventure, will delight and enthrall avid and reluctant readers with its energy and excitement.
As an added educational bonus, extensive backmatter includes a timeline, information about the lives of women in the American Revolution, and details about the real Agent 355 and the Culper code book.
About the Decide & Survive series:
Your Call to Adventure!
Dear Reader, this is your story.
You control how history happens through the choices you make.
Don't read this book from the first page to the last. Instead, follow the directions at the bottom of each page. When you're offered options, choose wisely because your decision could end in disaster as easily as triumph.
No matter how your story ends, feel free to start over and create a different story with a new outcome.
Adventure, mystery, danger, and fortune await. Good luck!

The Interactive Human Body: Explore the human body with flaps, wheels, levers, touch and feel, and more! (The Interactive Explorer, 3)

by Ryan G. Van Cleave, Juliana Eigner

Explore the human body like never before! Flaps, wheels, touch-and-feel spots, and other exciting interactive elements!
This dynamic book allows kids to learn about organs, systems, cells, DNA, and more in a creative, hands-on format that is irresistible! Watch food move through the digestive system, feel the texture of your intestines, split cells, spin DNA, and more in The Interactive Human Body, the innovative book that begs to be explored.
The third book in the award-winning Interactive Explorer series! Accolades for The Interactive Constitution:
A 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Book (NCSS-CBC)
Finalist, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards: The Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book
“Both history geeks and casual students should easily ratify this one.”―Publishers Weekly

Fred Flips

by Ryan G. Van Cleave, Fred Richard

Even before he could talk, Fred was flipping in his crib, giggling as his parents watched in awe. He was born to be a gymnast! But when Fred started training with other kids, he began to feel . . . different. Most of the gymnasts were girls. Fred was a boy―and not just any boy. He was a Black boy with skin so dark that even his friends joked, “Where’s Fred? He’s disappeared into the dark!” How could Fred learn to compete when he felt so different from everyone else?
In his first book, Olympic and World Championship medalist Fred Richard tells how he overcame bullying and learned to stand tall and stand out in his quest to become one of America's most famous male gymnasts. Boys and girls alike will be inspired by Fred's grit, determination, and a piece of advice from his father that changed everything: "Why just fit in when you can shine?"

City of the Big Shoulders: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Chicago has served as touchstone and muse to generations of writers and artists defined by their relationship to the city’s history, lore, inhabitants, landmarks, joys and sorrows, pride and shame. The poetic conversations inspired by Chicago have long been a vital part of America’s literary landscape, from Carl Sandburg and Gwendolyn Brooks to experimental writers and today’s slam poets. The one hundred contributors to this vibrant collection take their materials and their inspirations from the city itself in a way that continues this energetic dialogue.

The cultural, ethnic, and aesthetic diversity in this gathering of poems springs from a variety of viewpoints, styles, and voices as multifaceted and energetic as the city itself. Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz: “I want to eat / in a city smart enough to know that if you / are going to have that heart attack, you might / as well have the pleasure of knowing // you’ve really earned it”; Renny Golden: “In the heat of May 1937, my grandfather / sits in the spring grass of an industrial park / with hundreds of striking steelworkers”; Joey Nicoletti: “The wind pulls a muscle / as fans yell the vine off the outfield wall, / mustard-stained shirts, hot dog smiles, and all.”

The combined energies of these poems reveal the mystery and beauty that is Second City, the City by the Lake, New Gotham, Paris on the Prairie, the Windy City, the Heart of America, and Sandburg’s iconic City of the Big Shoulders.

Black History Heroes: Chadwick Boseman King of Wakanda: a Hero on and Off the Screen

by Ryan G. Van Cleave, Chris Singleton

Chadwick Boseman, King of Wakanda, A Hero On and Off the Screen, shows the power of grit, perseverance, and character in a dynamic biography for kids.

★ "This empowering and engaging middle grade biography series about Black changemakers gets off to a strong start.....Strongly recommended for juvenile nonfiction collections."--School Library Journal, starred review

★ "The book beautifully chronicles Boseman's struggles and triumphs....Readers will be enraptured with this magnificent tribute to the life of Chadwick Boseman, who was a true hero that anyone could look up to."--Booklist, starred review

2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner

From Howard University to the red carpet at the Academy Awards, from James Brown to the Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman was a talented and multi-award-winning actor and performer. Prior to his death from colon cancer in 2020, Boseman's rise to fame might have seemed overnight to some, but decades of hard work and dedication to his craft brought him to the highest levels an actor can achieve.

An inspiration to millions, the life of Chadwick Boseman is indeed proof that Black history matters.

Black History Heroes shares the lives and inspirations of black men and women who changed the world, yesterday, today, and for tomorrow. Written by acclaimed, former pro-baseball player, inspirational speaker, and author Chris Singleton

​

The Illustrated Edgar Allan Poe 25 Essential Poems

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

In this gorgeous collection, twenty-five of Poe's most beloved works are each illustrated with stunning, full-color collage artwork.

Poems include "The Raven," "The Bells," and many others. Brief commentary and helpful definitions accompany each poem, making The Illustrated Edgar Allan Poe among the most accessible--and beautiful--introductions to Edgar Allan Poe available.

From the Introduction:

SUGGESTION 1: Enjoy the poems. This seems far more important than trying to puzzle out what the author meant (or what other people believe the author meant).

SUGGESTION 2: Engage with the poems by asking questions....

SUGGESTION 3: Be your own boss. Read the poems in order or jump around as you see fit. Share them or savor them all by yourself. Say them aloud or whisper their words in your heart.

Poetry makes life better. There is NO wrong way to experience a poem.

So, read on, dear friend. And thank you for choosing poetry.

The Illustrated Emily Dickinson 25 Essential Poems

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

In this gorgeous collection, twenty-five of Emily Dickinson's most beloved poems are illustrated with stunning, full-color collage artwork.

Poems include "Hope is the Thing with Feathers," "I'm Nobody! Who are you?", "A Bird came down the Walk," "Success is counted sweetest," and many more. Brief commentary and helpful definitions accompany each poem, making The Illustrated Emily Dickinson among the most accessible--and beautiful--introductions to the Belle of Amherst available.

From the Introduction:

SUGGESTION 1: Enjoy the poems. This seems far more important than trying to puzzle out what the author meant (or what other people believe the author meant).

SUGGESTION 2: Engage with the poems by asking questions....

SUGGESTION 3: Be your own boss. Read the poems in order or jump around as you see fit. Share them or savor them all by yourself. Say them aloud or whisper their words in your heart.

Poetry makes life better. There is NO wrong way to experience a poem.

So, read on, dear friend. And thank you for choosing poetry.

The Interactive New Testament Learn the Life and Teachings of Jesus with Flaps, Wheels, Maps, and More!

by David Miles, Ryan G. Van Cleave

Cherished and revered stories of the New Testament come to life with interactive, tactile features and memorable moments!

Bursting with moving parts, pull tabs, wheels, touch-and-feel spots, and other interactive features,The Interactive New Testament teaches kids about the life, parables, and the miracles of Jesus in an interactive format that's as engaging as it is fun!

Open a flap to see the inside of a crowded inn; spin a wheel to learn about each of the apostles; flip tabs to see the meaning of the Lord's Prayer; pull a tab to see water turn into wine; rub your finger to feel the size of a mustard seed; open the empty tomb on Easter morning; and much, much more!

Sidebars and definitions provide extra details about everyday life during the time of Jesus--from food to Roman history to Jewish customs--providing helpful context for the New Testament's stories. Covering the life of Jesus and a bit of the ministry of Paul and the early apostles, The Interactive New Testament is an engaging way to help young kids fall in love with the stories of the New Testament.

The second book in the award-winning Interactive Explorer series! Accolades for The Interaactive Constitution:

A 2021 Notable Social Studies Trade Book (NCSS-CBC)

Finalist, IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards: The Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book

"Both history geeks and casual students should easily ratify this one."―Publishers Weekly

Memoir Writing For Dummies

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Unlock your storytelling journey with expert guidance

Memoir writing isn’t just for celebrities and politicians. For anyone prone to self-reflection and ready to give shape to your memories and experiences, Memoir Writing For Dummies is your definitive guide. This book offers a concrete roadmap for writing a captivating memoir. Get advice on exploring your past, mapping out your story, and perfecting your plot, setting, character, and dialogue. You’ll also find information on recruiting the help of AI and digital media for a more dynamic storytelling experience. Whether you’re an amateur author with a story to tell or a bestselling author trying out a new genre, Memoir Writing For Dummies will guide you every step of the way.

• Gain a deep understanding of the memoir genre and kickstart your journey into autobiographical writing
• Learn how to structure your memoir to grab readers’ attention from the first page and keep them engrossed throughout
• Organize your thoughts, address sensitive topics, and seamlessly weave your insights and reactions into your narrative
• Embrace technology to streamline your writing process and share your story with the world

Everyone has a story worth sharing, and Memoir Writing For Dummies provides would-be memoirists with the essential tools they need to share their life stories with the world and become published authors.

Schoolapalooza A Silly Alphabet of 26 Schooltime Poems

by Ryan G. Van Cleave

Twenty-six poets, from Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple to Charles Waters and Marilyn Singer, cheer, wail, and salute the classroom in this silly tribute to school.

Calculators and erasers, school buses and pop quizzes, recess and a school vacation countdown--nothing about the school day (or school year) is out of bounds in this poetry collection from today's best children's poets.

The Poets

Micha Archer

Cate Berry

Cynthia Cotton

Audrey Day-Williams

Rebecca Kai Dotlich

Matt Forrest Esenwine

David Griswold

Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs

Jarret Keene

Alethea Kontis

Jane Kurtz

Irene Latham

Lynn Marie

Linda Elovitz Marshall

Eileen Meyer

Diane Ochiltree

Casey Robinson

Michelle Schaub

Marilyn Singer

Ruth Spiro

Heidi E.Y. Stemple

C. M Surrisi

Ryan G. Van Cleave

Charles Waters

Kay Winters

Jane Yolen

Who Is John Cena?

by Who HQ, Ryan G. Van Cleave

The champ is here! Learn about WWE legend John Cena and his exciting transition from wrestler to Hollywood actor. This action-packed biography about the leader of the "Cenation" has all the exciting details on John's life and his titles, rivalries, signature moves, films, and more.

In 2002, John Cena joined the WWE and the ring was changed forever. The beloved wrestler now holds the record for most WWE World Championship reigns and is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. John is much more than just a talented wrestler—he is also an author and a successful Hollywood actor who has has starred in blockbuster movies. He has been cast in exciting films from popular franchises such as Fast and Furious, Transformers, DC Comics, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. When he isn't acting or wrestling, John spends his time volunteering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. John has granted over 650 wishes, which is more than any one person has granted in the organization's history.