Tag Archives: Bullying

The Blue Jackal

Leave a reply

Little Juno, the jackal, was puny, lean, and hungry. The bigger jackals teased him and would not share their food. The big village dogs chased him, too, until he found safety in the dyer’s shed, where he fell into a vat of indigo dye. Juno, now with blue fur, terrified all the other animals, and they declared him their king. He banished the jackals and then had no more hunger or worries until his true identity was discovered. This is a retelling of a story from the Panchatantra, a collection of Indian fables from the 3rd century, BCE. The illustrations were inspired by the traditional white paintings in rice flour on a mud base of the Warli tribe of western India. An informative historical note is included. mjw

Title: The Blue Jackal Author: Shobha Viswanath Illustrator: Dileep Joshi Publisher: Eerdmans Books.  Grand Rapids, Michigan Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Karadi Tales Company.  Chennai Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5466-7 Hardcover pages: 34 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: India Illustrator’s ethnicity: Indian Illustrator’s residence: India Subjects: Fables, Folklore, Folk tales, Legends, Myths, Stories in rhyme

The Ballad Of A Broken Nose

Leave a reply

Thirteen-year-old Bart Norum has had a hard life. He lives in public housing with his alcoholic mother, his neighbors are drug addicts, and he doesn’t know who is father is. He takes up boxing so that he can protect himself, but his real love is opera. His friend Ada, who cannot keep a secret, lets his classmates and teacher know about his passion and they want him to sing in the class talent show. But Bart suffers from paralyzing stage fright. Bart is an optimist and he tells his story about bravery, fear, sports, and music in a funny and matter-of-fact style. An interesting note is that Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel is Bart’s idol. mjw

Title: The Ballad Of A Broken Nose Author: Arne Svingen Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Norwegian Translator: Kari Dickson Original Title: Sangen om en Brukkt Nese Original Publisher: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-4814-1542-2 Hardcover pages: 224 Age range: 10-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Norway Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian Author’s residence: Norway Awards: 2017 Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s Best Young Adult Literature Prize Subjects: Boxing, Bullies, Drugs, Friendship, Music, Opera, Talent shows

Cloudwish

Leave a reply

Van Uoc Phan is a shy, quiet Vietnamese teenager living in Australia with her parents who were asylum seekers after the fall of Saigon. She is a scholarship student at a prestigious Melbourne International Baccalaureate school. She plays the oboe, loves photography and Jane Eyre, and is being pushed by her parents to a high-prestige profession. She has a crush on Billy Gardiner. Billy lives in a mansion, is a star on the crew team, and loves pranks. Van Uoc wishes that Billy would notice her and fall in love with her. Miraculously, he does, but Van Uoc questions how this could happen. Fans of Jane Eyre will appreciate the writing style and all the mentions of Jane in this first-love story. mjw

Title: Cloudwish Author: Fiona Wood Publisher: Little Brown and Company, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Pan Macmillan, Australia PTY, Ltd. Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-0-316-24212-7 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Melbourne, Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Melbourne, Australia Awards: 2016 Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year: Older Readers Subjects: Australia, Dating, Jane Eyre, Magic, Vietnamese, Wishes

Hidden

Leave a reply

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

Dear Mrs. Naidu

Leave a reply

Spunky twelve-year-old Sarojini lives in Bangalore with her mother, who works in rich people’s houses. They struggle to make ends meet. Her best friend Amir has moved from their poor government school to a posh private school and Sarojini worries that she has lost her friend. She learns about the Right to Education law and becomes determined to improve her school. She gets help from feisty Deepti, a classmate; Vimala Madam, a human rights lawyer who might also be an evil genius; and Mrs. Sarojini Naidu, a long-dead freedom fighter and poet. Told through letters written to Mrs. Naidu, this is Sarojini’s life-changing journey, where she learns about justice and important education issues in India. The book concludes with a note about the real Sarojini Naidu and a list of organizations working for child rights. mjw

Title: Dear Mrs. Naidu Author: Mathangi Subramanian Publisher: Zubaan Publishers Pvt Ltd. New Delhi Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-93-83074-98-3  Paperback pages: 286 Age range: 12 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Bangalore, India Author’s residence: New Delhi, Delhi, India Awards: 2016 South Asia Book Award Subjects: Education, Friendship, Human rights, Law, Right to Education

Don’t Cross The Line!

Leave a reply

An armed guard stands at the gutter of the book. He follows the angry general’s order without question and the order is that no one can cross the line (the gutter) to the right-hand page of the book. A lone person and a dog try to cross. The guard yells “STOP!” More and more people and creatures appear until the left-hand page is full. A red ball bounces over the line and the guard allows two children to retrieve it. Then, the floodgates open and everyone crosses. When the general sees the crowd, he tries to arrest the guard. The crowd rebels. “NO WAY! HE’S OUR HERO!” Colorful endpapers identify the 63 characters in the book. The speech-bubbled storyline and lively illustrations rendered in colored marker enhance this story about injustice and peaceful questioning of authority. mjw

Title: Don’t Cross The Line Author: Isabel Minhos Martins Illustrator: Bernardo P. Carvalho Publisher: Gecko Press, New Zealand Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Portuguese Translator: Daniel Hahn Original Title: Daqui ninguem passa! Original Publisher: Planeta Tangerina, Portugal Original Copyright: 2106 ISBN: 978-1776570744 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Portuguese Author’s residence: Portugal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Portuguese Illustrator’s residence: Portugal Subjects: Authoritarianism. Dictatorship, Generals, Government, Peace, Pets, Revolution Social issues

Blue Penguin

Leave a reply

“Far away, near the South Pole, a blue penguin was born.” The other penguins don’t know what to make of him because he is not like them. They leave him all alone. He dreams of a beautiful white whale that rescues him and he sings a song about it. Another little penguin hears his song and they become friends. Blue Penguin’s song is so magical that all the penguins want to learn it. Vibrant mixed media illustrations in this heart-warming story will remind readers of Eric Carle. mjw

Title: Blue Penguin Author: Petr Horacek Illustrator: Petr Horacek Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-0-7636-9251-3 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Antarctica Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in Prague Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Grew up in Prague Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: 2012 shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal Subjects: Belonging, Difference, Penguins, Songs, South Pole, Whales

One

Leave a reply

Sixteen-year-old Tippi and Grace are conjoined twins. They were homeschooled all their lives, but the funding was pulled and now they attend Hornbeacon private school. They manage to make friends in Yasmeen and Jon. The girls have their own personalities, yet they obviously share a special closeness and love. They begin to have health issues and are faced with the toughest decision of their lives. Grace narrates their fascinating and powerful story, which is told in verse. An author’s note gives information about conjoined twins. mjw

Title: One Author: Sarah Crossan Publisher: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Bloomsbury  ISBN: 978-0-06-211875-2 Hardcover pages: 400 Age range: 14 up Genre: Fiction, Novel in verse Book setting: U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Originally from Dublin Author’s residence: London Awards: 2016 CLIP Carnegie Medal Subjects: Conjoined twins. Emotions and feelings, Family problems, High school, Sisters, Special needs, Twins

Sea Change

Leave a reply

Twelve-year-old Eliot Dionisi’s parents send him to Point Aconi in Nova Scotia for the summer. He is not looking forward to spending time with his wrinkly old relatives who smell like fish. At first, it is not easy for him to fit in. He is pushed out of his comfort zone. But as the summer wears on, Eliot learns to fish, swim, and eat lobster. He discovers his great grandmother’s library, picks blueberries, enjoys a clambake, and even has his first kiss. He makes friends, deals with the local bully, and helps Mary Beth, his crush, with a secret. This warm and funny coming-of-age story is illustrated with artwork drawn in pencil and India ink and colored digitally. Some of the text is also transformed into unconventional illustrations. mjw

Title: Sea Change Author: Frank Viva Illustrator: Frank Viva Publisher: Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-101-91852-4 Hardcover pages: 120 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel Book setting: Point Aconi, Nova Scotia Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto Subjects: Abuse, Canada, Coming of age, Fishing, Growing up, Multigenerational, Nova Scotia, Summer

The Emergency Zoo

Leave a reply

It is the week before World War II in 1939 in England, and twelve-year-olds Rosy and Tilly try to outwit their families and the authorities by hiding their pets in a run-down hut in the woods. Other children bring their pets – rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and more, and the emergency zoo grows to be a real challenge for the girls. An added problem is that all the children are about to be evacuated to the countryside for safety. The story is inspired by the unspeakable and little known episode in British history when pets were to be destroyed because it was believed that the animals could not cope with bombs and gas and that, with rationing, there would not be enough food for them. Told from the viewpoint of children, this is a moving novel about courage, resourcefulness, and animal welfare. An author’s note gives historical background and explains that organizations such as the Dumb Animal League tried to save as many pets as possible. It is estimated that around 750,000 pets were destroyed in Britain. mjw

Title: The Emergency Zoo Author: Miriam Halahmy Publisher: Alma Books.  Surry, U.K. Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-84688-397-2 Paperback pages: 254 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: England Author’s residence: London, England Subjects: England, Evacuation, Pets, World War II, Zoo animals

Bartolome: The Infanta’s Pet

Leave a reply

Bartolome is a ten-year-old disabled dwarf living in a small village in rural 17th century Spain. His family has to keep him hidden in a back room. His dream is to be able to read and write. When his father lands a job in the court of King Philip IV, the family moves to Madrid. The royal princess gets whatever she wants and she wants Bartolome as her “human dog.” He is dressed in a brown furry suit and is very scared, unhappy, and humiliated until he discovers the painter’s studio. One of the apprentices to Spanish artist Diego Velasquez lets Bartolome mix paints and paint a picture. The book shows how dwarfs were thought of and discriminated against in the 17th century. This heart-wrenching story was inspired by the painting Las Meninas, which was painted by Velasquez in 1656. Velasquez was employed as a court painter by Philip IV, where he frequently painted the royal family, especially the King’s daughter, the Infanta. mjw

Title: Bartolome: The Infanta’s Pet Author: Rachel Van Kooij Publisher: Little Island.  Dublin, Ireland Copyright: 2012 Original Language: German Translator: Sioban Parkinson Original Title: Kein Hundeleben fur Bartolome Original Publisher: Jungbrunnen Verlag.  Vienna Original Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 978-1-908195-26-5 Paperback pages: 208 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Spain Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Author’s residence: Vienna, Austria Translator’s ethnicity: Irish Translator’s residence: Dublin, Ireland Awards: Translator was Ireland’s first Children’s Laureate from 2010-2012. Subjects: Dwarfs; Europe; Madrid, Spain; Pets, Special needs: Velasquez

Somewhere Among

Leave a reply

Set in 2001, eleven-year-old American-Japanese Ema has moved in with her grandparents in Tokyo because of her mother’s difficult pregnancy. Fitting in is difficult – she is a “foreigner.” In free verse, Ema describes her life and concerns. Her Papa is away at work too much. Obaachan (her grandmother) is stern and domineering. Jiichan (her grandfather) is sweet, but fragile. Japanese school is a challenge. And she worries about her soon-to-be Little Sister. The story is about connectedness, as Ema is stuck between two worlds and two cultures. Viewing the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers from Japan is especially intriguing. The author’s very extensive website gives information about the history, holidays, anniversaries, and tragedies Japan and America share that are woven throughout the story. Also included are the author’s inspiration, photos, a story playlist, and peace education opportunities and programs. mjw

Title: Somewhere Among Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English   ISBN: 978-1-4814-3786-8 Hardcover pages: 448 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Verse Book setting: Tokyo, Japan Author’s ethnicity: Japan Author’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Asia, Asian-Americans, Belonging, Japan, Grandmothers, New baby, Novels in verse, Peace ,Pregnancy, Racially mixed people, September 11 Terrorist Attacks – 2001