 Alix, 14, lives on quiet Hayling Island off the coast of England. One day at the beach, she and her friend Samir pull a drowning man out of the incoming tide. He is Mohammed, an asylum seeker, who was tortured by rebels in Iraq for helping the allied forces. Alix and Samir decide to hide Mohammed and, consequently, have to make choices that will determine whether Mohammed will live or die. Alix is a likeable and brave character who has problems of her own – Dad has left, Mom has a broken leg, and Grandfather just died. Samir is an Iraqi refugee who is bullied at their school. This thought-provoking book deals with important themes, like racism, immigration, diversity, and human rights. mjw |
| Title: Hidden Author: Miriam Halahmy Publisher: Holiday House Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Albury Books Original Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978–0-8234-3694-1 Paperback pages: 224 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Hayling Island, England Author’s residence: London, England Awards: Nominated for the Carnegie Medal Subjects: Asylum seekers, Gangs, Human rights, Immigrants-England, Iraqi, Political refugees, Racism, Terrorism |
Hidden
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A timely novel gives a face to the immigrants that struggle to get from Central America into the United States. Jamie’s cousin, and best friend, Miguel is murdered by the local gang in Guatemala: the Alphas. They will come for Jamie and his cousin Ángela next unless they find a way to escape. Together the two frightened teens take the only road available to them; they ride a truck out of Guatemala into Mexico. From there they head on a long and arduous journey full of dangerous gangs, violence, and a few kind allies to find their way to the safety of the United States. The teens team up with others, including a dog named Vida, to find Jamie’s older brother in the United States. Throughout their journey Jamie draws the landscapes and people and even earns money for his pencil illustrations. Alexandra Diaz seamlessly intertwines Spanish phrases into the book including resources such as a glossary, an author’s note, further reading suggestions, and a bibliography at the end of the novel. amo
During a harsh, cold winter storm, a small girl’s favorite branch falls off a tree. Devastated, she protects her branch from being taken away to get chopped up. With the help of her kind neighbor, Mr. Frank, she is able to save her favorite branch and transform it into something completely new, but just as much fun. Their time together is full of sanding, measuring, sawing, and varnishing the wood until their new creation is complete. This picture book, illustrated with bright paintings, captures the many emotions of a young child who is leaning how to overcome a sad moment to create new joy. amo
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One night a young imaginative Korean child is awakened by the “pit, pit, pit” sound of something hitting against their bedroom window. The first snow has fallen. The child bundles up to go outside to create a snowman. Readers will enjoy the delightful use of onomatopoeias and simple adjectives to describe the protagonist’s adventures in their backyard, hometown, and a dazzling place with several children making snowmen. This picture book’s stark black, white, and red palette and textured canvas artwork are simplistically beautiful. The book’s illustrations, text, and main character’s pure childlike awe of snow are absolutely heartwarming. ema
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