Lines of bikes are miles long,
shining, half a million strong.
Rumbling, grumbling, engines roar.
Peace signs. High fives. Spirits soar.
Every Memorial Day in Washington, DC, more than a million veterans and their supporters gather for the Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom, a demonstration that pays tribute to the men and women of the US armed forces. This lyrical story honors the bravery and sacrifice of those American heroes -- the ones who have returned home, and the ones who haven't.
Kate Messner
Kate Messner is the author of
The Seventh Wish;
All the Answers;
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z., winner of the E. B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers;
Capture the Flag, an SCBWI Crystal Kite Award winner;
Hide and Seek;
Manhunt; and the Ranger in Time and Marty McGuire chapter book series. A former middle-school English teacher, Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family and loves reading, walking in the woods, and traveling. Visit her online at katemessner.com.
Greg Ruth
Greg Ruth has written and drawn stories for Dark Horse Comics, DC/Vertigo Comics, Fantagraphics, and the
New York Times. He is also the illustrator of
Our Enduring Spirit, a picture book edition of President Barack Obama's first inaugural address, and the creator of the graphic novel
The Lost Boy. Greg lives and works in western Massachusetts. Visit his website at gregthings.com.
