Racial intolerance, social change, and sweeping progress make 1908 Washington, D.C., a turbulent place to grow up in for 12-year-old Emily Soper. For Emily, life in Papa's carriage barn is magic, and she's more at home hearing the symphony of the blacksmith's hammer than trying to conform to the proper expectations of young ladies. When Papa's livelihood is threatened by racist neighbors and horsepower of a different sort, Emily faces changes she'd never imagined. Finding courage and resolve she didn't know she had, Emily strives to save Papa's business, even if it means going all the way to the White House.

Darlene Beck Jacobson has a BA in Special Education and a Reading Specialist MA. She worked as a Speech Language Specialist with the Glassboro Public Schools in Glassboro, NJ for 20 years. When not writing books, she substitute-teaches for Pre-K and K classes in her former school district.

Beck Jacobson has loved writing since she was a girl. She wrote letters to everyone she knew and made up stories in her head. Although she never wrote to a president, she sent many letters to pop stars of the day asking for photos and autographs. Her stories have appeared in Cicada, Cricket, and other magazines. Her blog features recipes, activities, crafts and interviews with children's book authors and illustrators. Check out her website at Darlenebeckjacobson.com.