2. Henry VIII Royal Beheader By Sean Stewart Price Henry VIII began his reign as a dashing and popular young monarch. He ended his days as an obese, vengeful old man. In nearly 50 years as king of England, Henry went through six wives to get himself a son and heir. He threw his country into chaos to fulfill his personal whims. In the process, he turned on his most trusted allies and accused them of treason. And many traitors received a gruesome punishment: Their severed heads were displayed on London Bridge for all to see.

3. The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleischman Here, in high style, is the story of a wisecracking adventurer who came of age in the untamed West. A rebel who surprised himself by becoming the most famous American of his time.

4. Cixi Evil Empress of China? By Sean Stewart Price She entered China’s Forbidden City as a low-ranking member of the emperor’s household, a girl in a nation ruled by men. But she was sly, ruthless and hungry for power. Within a decade, as Empress Cixi, she controlled the most populous country on earth. The fate of China rested in her hands. She faced rebellion from within and invasion from abroad. Her people suffered through flood and famine. They desperately needed a leader who could meet the challenges of a brave new world. Instead, Cixi drove them into chaos and starvation.

5. Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman A biography of the magician, ghost chaser, aviator, and king of escape artists whose amazing feats are remembered long after his death in 1926. Profiling his early years, personal life, and great accomplishments in show business, the story of the famous magician, Harry Houdini, comes to life through a review of his greatest tricks and most amazing feats.

6. Francisco Pizarro Destroyer of the Inca Empire By John DiConsiglio As soon as he arrived in the New World, Francisco Pizarro heard the tales: A great kingdom full of gold lay hidden in the jungles of South America. That kingdom was the Inca Empire, one of the mightiest civilizations on earth. Its sprawling cities rivaled the capitals of Europe. Its great stone temples were as grand as Spain’s churches. But Pizarro hadn’t crossed the Atlantic to see the sights. He wanted the Inca Empire’s gold and silver. And he was willing to destroy an Entire civilization to get it.

7. Hannibal Rome’s Worst Nightmare By Philip Brooks As a child, Hannibal swore to make an enemy of one of the most powerful nations on earth. He spent his life living up to the promise. He marched 60,000 men across the frozen Alps into Rome. He ransacked the countryside and outfoxed the great Roman legions. He left fields in ruins and villages in flames. All across the land, he made the Romans dread the sound of one familiar phrase. Hannibal is at the gates!