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BLIND BOONE PIANO PRODIGY

named "Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young Readers 2004" by the National Council of Social Studies

Blind Boone: Piano Prodigy won First Place for Juvenile Book in a state-wide contest sponsored by the New Mexico Press Women. This entitled the book to be entered in the national competition, sponsored by the National press Women Association, where it competed against the First Place winners in the Juvenile Book category from all fifty states. At the national level, it won Third Place.

John William 'Blind' Boone was one of the first African American concert pianists and composers to tour America. Touring the U.S., Canada, and the British Isles after the Civil War, Boone brought his own compositions, classical music, ragtime, and other African-American music to the concert stage.

Carolrhoda (Lerner Publishing Group) 2003;
ISBN 1575050579
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"Dozens of photographs and sidebars on Scott Joplin, Reconstruction, and Blind Thomas Green Bethune, another sightless pianist, enliven this fascinating biography of one of America's lost treasures. It is a highly recommended resource for biography assignments and leisure reading." -- Beth E. Anderson, VOYA

"For award-winning author Madge Harrah, this book has obviously been a labour of love. She has been acquainted with the legend and lore of Boone since her college years, and she has remained involved in the legacy of his amazing life across the decades. This hardcover volume is her gift to children everywhere: the story of a youngster who could have allowed the stigma of his ethnicity and his disability to turn him into a bitter young man, but who instead chose to rise to new heights of achievement which were only being dreamed of in this young country for African-Americans in the years following the Civil War." -- JaneEllen.com

"In a postscript, Harrah describes interviews she did 50 years ago with a man who had known Boone in his prime. From those interviews as well as books and archival materials, she has put together an interesting biography of a remarkable man. One memorable chapter records how difficult travel became for Boone after Jim Crow laws restricted his access to hotels, restaurants, and even railway dining cars that had previously welcomed him." -- Booklist

"Numerous period photos, a chronology, a bibliography, and a list of recordings are included. A well-organized look at an interesting figure about whom very little has been written."
--School Library Journal

MY BROTHER, MY ENEMY

14-year-old Robert Bradford gets involved in the Bacon Rebellion, the "prelude to the American Revolution," and is sentenced to hang.

Simon & Schuster 1997; ISBN 0689809689
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"There's plenty of action, but the heart of the book is Robert's inner struggle to find a truth that reflects everything he knows, without contradictions. . . . Harrah's portrayal of the boy's conflicted feelings is authentic. A thoughtful and well-written novel about a little-known chapter in US history." -- Kirkus

"The dialogue and plot move rapidly, and the conclusion will wholly satisfy those who like inspirational endings. A thoughtful author's note and bibliography round out the story." -- Publisher's Weekly

"Strong in its sense of period, this historical novel provides a refreshingly different setting, a likable hero, and an adventurous story." -- Booklist

"There is plenty of action and the historical information is unquestionably well-researched. . . . This appealing story succeeds in bringing pre-Revolution America to life." -- School Library Journal

National Communication Award for Juvenile Fiction (National Federation of Press Women) 1999; won Grand Prize over all First Place winners from the fifty states.

First Place for Juvenile Fiction, national competition sponsored by the National League of American Pen Women, 1998

ZIA Award for Young Adult Fiction, New Mexico Press Women, 2000

Land of Enchantment Award reading list for schools, New Mexico, 1999-2000

Mark Twain Award reading list for schools, Missouri, 1999-2000

HONEY GIRL

The adventures of 12-year-old Dorothy Stahmann and her family as they travel down the Mississippi River in 1908 on a barge loaded with beehives in a race to save the mother's life. Based on a true story. National Spur Award for Juvenile Fiction, 1991. Land of Enchantment School reading list, New Mexico, 1993.

Avon Books 1990, reprinted by Trailway Books 1998;
ISBN 0970915217
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" . . enthralling story . . . Harrah has fashioned a dramatic tale from notes recorded by Dorothy and Mrs. Stahmann, crowning these with scientific, geographic and historical information." -- Publisher's Weekly

COMET LUCK

Annie Pritchard thinks her family has been jinxed by Halley's Comet (1910). When her father gets his leg cut off by a train, she is convinced of it. Then they move to Colorado to homestead where their troubles really begin! Based on a true story.

Avon Books 1994, reprinted by Trailway Books 2001;
ISBN 0970915209
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NO ESCAPE

12-year-old Carole and her brother Skipper move to a strange house to live with old Uncle Jake, a toy maker. Uncle Jake disappears, and his pet parrot and a life-sized doll both start screaming for help.

Avon Books 1992, reprinted by Trailway Books 1998;
ISBN 0970915225
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NIGHT TERRORS: Stories of Shadow and Substance

Anthology of horror stories for teenagers, edited by Lois Duncan, containing The Chosen, a short story by Madge Harrah.

Simon & Schuster 1996; ISBN 0689807244
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