Tag Archives: Bullying

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel

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It’s 1978, and sixth grader Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh, who was born in Abadan, Iran, has just moved to Newport Beach, California. Her fitting in is very difficult because of the protests, revolution, and the taking of the U.S. hostages in Iran. Her father loses his job as an engineer at an oil refinery and Cindy has to face hostile prejudice at school and in her neighborhood. Humorous asides will keep readers engaged as Cindy finds new friends after moving, deals with family issues, and discovers her middle school self. Each short chapter has a clever title and the final author’s note suggests documentaries and websites with more information about the historical and cultural facts of this semi-autobiographical novel. mjw

Title: It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel Author: Firoozeh Dumas Publisher: Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-544-61231-0 Hardcover pages: 384 Age range: 10-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting:  Southern California, U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: Munich, Germany Subjects: Emigration and immigration, Friendship, Humorous stories, Iran, Iran Hostage Crisis (1979-1981), Iranian-Americans, Middle East, Muslim-Americans. Prejudice and racism, Social issues – adolescence, United States history – 20th century

Bronze and Sunflower

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Set during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (late 1960s and early 1970s), Sunflower, a young girl and her artist father are banished to do hard labor in the countryside at a cadre school. It’s a difficult life for her and she is lonely. She meets Bronze, the mute son of poor villagers, who is bullied by the other village boys. After Sunflower’s father dies, Bronze’s family takes her in despite facing extreme hardship, and Sunflower finally finds happiness. This engrossing, beautifully written novel, with luminous imagery, will broaden readers’ horizons. Notes in the back of the book provide historical background and information about Cao’s inspiration for the book. mjw

Title: Bronze and Sunflower Author: Cao Wenxuan Illustrator: Meilo So Publisher: Walker Books Ltd. London Copyright: 2015 Original Language: Chinese Translator: Helen Wang Original Copyright: 2005 ISBN: 978-1-4063-4846-0 Paperback pages: 400 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Damaidi, China Author’s ethnicity: Chinese Author’s residence: China Illustrator’s ethnicity: Chinese Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, 2019 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Shortlist Subjects: China, Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Friendship, Poverty, Survival

Sweet Pizza

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Fourteen-year-old Welsh-Italian Joe is passionate about his Italian heritage. He lives in Bryn Mawr, South Wales, where his family runs the café that his great-grandfather opened in 1929. Joe is desperate to save the café and bring the neighborhood back to life. He loves all things Italian, especially Italian opera, which provides the perfect accompaniment for the novel. Joe is quite a businessman, as he succeeds in bringing his diverse community together. Woven throughout the heart-warming and funny story is the astonishing history of Italian immigrants in Wales told through taped recollections from his grandfather, Nonno. Back matter includes a historical note, an author’s note on opera, and Italian recipes to try. mjw

Title: Sweet Pizza Author: Giancarlo Gemin (G.R. Gemin) Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd.  London Copyright: 2106 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-85763-630-0  Paperback pages: 288 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Contemporary fiction, Historical fiction Book setting: South Wales Author’s ethnicity: Born in Cardiff, Wales, of Italian parentage Author’s residence: London Awards:  Longlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016 Subjects: Grandfathers, Immigrants, Italian heritage, Opera, Restaurants, World War II

Hound And Hare

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Hounds and hares don’t get along in the town of Great Bone because of an old feud. Teens Hugo Hound and Harley Hare both want to participate in the Big Race, but their parents don’t approve. They do enter the race and are both in the lead when a terrible thunderstorm breaks out. Hugo is terrified of the storm and Harley panics when he discovers that they are lost. By working together, they find their way home, share the first prize, and become the heroes of the day. Funny, colored pencil and ink cartoon style drawings complement the lively text in this picture book/early chapter book. The endpapers feature a map of the town. mjw

Title: Hound And Hare Author: Rotraut Susanne Berner Illustrator: Rotraut Susanne Berner Publisher: Groundwood Books, House of Anansi Press Copyright: 2011 Original Language: German Translator: Shelley Tanaka Original Title: Hund & Hase Original Publisher: Jacoby and Stuart Original Copyright: 22009 ISBN: 978-0-88899-987-0 Hardcover pages: 80 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book/ Early Chapter Book Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Awards: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award, 2006 German Youth Literature Prize for her work as a whole Subjects: Community, Conflict resolution, Cooperation, Dogs, Hares, Hounds, Rabbits, Running races, Racing, Thunderstorms

Dare To Disappoint: Growing Up In Turkey

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In this graphic novel memoir, spunky Ozge begins with her danger-filled childhood experiences in school and her dreams of a life of adventure. Her dad expects her to be an engineer and to be predictable, but Ozge eventually listens to her own voice and dares to disappoint her parents. This engaging quick-read offers a look at life in Turkey in the 1980s and 1990s, a fascinating time in the country’s history. The art is a mix of caricatures and doodles done in watercolor and mixed media compositions made of paper, photographs, maps, infographics, ink stamps, and more. Ozge’s bold visual storytelling is a real treat. mjw

Title: Dare To Disappoint: Growing Up In Turkey Author: Ozge Samanci Illustrator: Ozge Samanci Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-374-31698-3 Paperback pages: 200 Age range: 12 up Genre: Biography, Graphic Novel Book setting: Turkey Author’s ethnicity: Turkish Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Turkish Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Artists, Autobiography, Comic books, Cultural heritage, Memoir, Turkey – history

The Nowhere Emporium

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Running from a group of bullies, Daniel Holmes, orphaned at a young age, stumbles upon the magical Nowhere Emporium in Glasgow – a shop from nowhere. Its owner, Lucien Silver, recruits Daniel to be his apprentice and Daniel enters a world of magic and enchantment. The Emporium is made up of passageways and rooms that belong to different locations and times. When Mr. Silver disappears, Vindictus Sharpe appears and threatens the existence of the Emporium and everyone in it. Daniel’s journey is full of wonderful imaginative fantasy and colorful descriptions that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman, Philip Pullman, and the Harry Potter books. mjw

Title: The Nowhere Emporium Author: Ross MacKenzie Illustrator: Ross MacKenzie Publisher: Floris Books Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-178250-125-1 Paperback pages: 280 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fantasy, Fiction Book setting: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, Manhattan Author’s ethnicity: Scottish Author’s residence: Renfrew, Scotland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Scottish Illustrator’s residence: Renfrew, Scotland Awards: 2016 Scottish Children’s Book Award -ages 8-11, 2016 Blue Peter Award: Best Story Subjects: Fantasy, Glasgow, Imagination, Magic, Mystery, Science Fiction

Boys Don’t Knit (In Public)

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Seventeen-year-old Ben Fletcher tells his story in a witty and funny diary format. After an unfortunate incident with some stolen liquor and a crossing guard, he is put on probation and has to choose an evening course at the local college as part of his rehabilitation. He takes up knitting and discovers he’s really good at it, but he has to keep his knitting a secret from his friends and his sports-loving dad.   There is even more for him to worry about – his knitting teacher is the mom of the girl of his dreams and his friends are real troublemakers. Ben gains confidence, wins the All-United Kingdom Knitting Championship, and even gets the girl. He is quirky, perceptive, and adorable and his passion for knitting will encourage readers to take up knitting, regardless of gender stereotypes. Packed with pop culture references and jokes, the book is a laugh-aloud fast read. A sequel, An English Boy in New York (2014, Hot Key Books) follows Ben on his trip to New York for the U.S. National Knit Fair. mjw

Title: Boys Don’t Knit (In Public) Author: T.S. Easton Publisher: Fiewel and Friends, New York, an imprint of Macmillan Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Hot Key Books Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-250-05331-2 Hardcover pages: 272 Age range: 12-16 Genre: Fiction Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Awards: 2015 Carnegie Medal nomination Subjects: Adolescence, Communities, Conduct of life, England, Family life, Fathers and sons, Humorous stories, Knitting, Social issues, Teenage boys, Women teachers

A Prayer For World Peace

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Jane Goodall, world-renowned anthropologist and conservationist, speaks out against greed, slave labor, animal abuse, bullying and torture, harm to the natural world, and more in this “family book” for adults to read along with their children. She asks for generosity to the living world and justice for all humankind in this nondenominational prayer for peace and equality. Beautiful double-page spreads of birds, animals, flowers, and humans are set on glowing, mysterious abstract patterns. Back matter includes a message from Jane Goodall as the UN Ambassador of Peace, notes about the Jane Goodall Institute and her Roots and Shoots organization, and a biography of the illustrator. mjw

Title: A Prayer For World Peace Author: Jane Goodall Illustrator: Feeroozeh Golmohammadi Publisher: Michael Neugebauer Publishing, Minedition Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-988-8240-49-4 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range:  7 up Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: British Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Iranian Illustrator’s residence: Tehran, Iran Subjects: Hope, Justice, Peace, Prayers, Values

You Can’t See The Elephants

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Thirteen-year-old Mascha is bored living with her grandparents for the summer in their quiet, small town. She meets siblings, Max, 7, and Julia, 9, who are withdrawn and shy and covered with bruises. Mascha suspects that their father is physically abusing them and when the adults don’t listen, she takes matters into her own hands. She makes some unusual choices, kidnaps the children, and locks them in an abandoned farmhouse in a nearby field. Mascha is brave, helpless, and desperate, and she wants to do the right thing, but her actions bring unintended consequences for everyone. This disturbing, heartbreaking, and straightforward novel about child abuse is discussion provoking  mjw

Title: You Can’t See The Elephants Author: Susan Kreller Publisher: G.P.Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, USA Copyright: 2015 Original Language: German Translator: Elizabeth Gaffney Original Title: Elefanten sieht man nicht Original Publisher: Carlsen Verlag Gmb H Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0-399-17209-0 Hardcover pages: 192 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: The translator set the book in the USA Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Awards: Author has been nominated for the German Youth Literature prize twice and has won the Kranichsteiner Literary Prize Subjects: Abuse, Brothers and sisters, Child abuse, Dysfunctional relationships, Grandparents, Siblings

In Andal’s House (Tales Of The World)

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Young Kumar is invited to his classmate Andal’s house to watch the fireworks for the celebration of Diwali, India’s 5-day Festival of Light. Andal is a high-caste Brahmin and his family is wealthy. Kumar’s family had been Dalit, outcasts or untouchables. Kumar thinks he has been invited because he is the best student in their class, but when he arrives at Andal’s house, Andal’s grandmother sends him away. He cannot join the festivities. Disappointed, he returns home, where his grandfather explains how things used to be and that India is changing. Men like Mahatma Gandhi and Doctor B.R. Ambedkar have helped to outlaw discrimination against the Dalit, or the broken people. The story ends with Kumar feeling hopeful about both his and India’s future. A Glossary helps with unfamiliar words and an Author’s Note provides more information. Colorful folk-art illustrations in pencil crayon and watercolor ink depict the Diwali celebration and everyday life in contemporary India. mjw

Title: In Andal’s House (Tales Of the World) Author: Gloria Whelan Illustrator: Amanda Hall Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press.  Ann Arbor , Michigan Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-58536-603-3 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Gujarat, India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Michigan, U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: United Kingdom Subjects: Castes, Diwali, Gandhi, Prejudice, Social classes, Untouchables

Shooting Kabul

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Twelve-year-old Fadi and his family are illegally leaving Afghanistan for asylum in the U.S. in 2001. As they hurriedly board the escape truck, Fadi’s six-year-old sister Mariam lets go of his hand and is lost. As the Taliban is patrolling, there is no going back. They arrive in San Francisco to begin anew, but they are heart-broken and are constantly searching for Mariam. Fadi joins and finds comfort in the photography club at his middle school, with the hope that he can win a photo competition. The prize is a trip to India. Since Afghanistan is close to India, he thinks he can go there and find his sister. Fadi’s family also has to deal with the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Kids at school assume Fadi is responsible for what happened and make him fearful and miserable. A clever and satisfying ending will encourage readers to move on to the Glossary, Author’s Note, Suggestions for Further Reading, and Reading Guide. A map is also included. This story about family relationships, with realistic detail about the immigrant experience and Afghani (particularly Pukhtun) culture, is based on the author’s husband’s personal history of fleeing his home in Soviet controlled Afghanistan in the 1970s. One note: “shooting” in the title is a reference to photography, and not violence. mjw

Title: Shooting Kabul Author: N.H. Senzai Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4424-0194-2 Hardcover pages: 273 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: San Francisco.  Afghanistan Author’s residence: U.S.  Has lived in Saudi Arabia and England. Awards: 2010 Middle East Outreach Book Award for Youth Literature, 2011 CBC/NCSS Notable Children’s Book Subjects: Afghan-Americans, Bravery, California, Cameras, Emigration, Immigration, Love, Perseverance, Photography, Prejudice, Tolerance

Imelda and the Goblin King

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This entertaining story about fairies and goblins tells of adventurous Imelda, who helps her fairy friends devise a plan to turn the toothy, grumpy, mean, and greedy Goblin King into a worm. After he imprisons their Fairy Queen, he is given a chance to be generous, but he remains a bully, and so deserves what he gets. Vivid illustrations of the fairies, who come in all shapes, sizes, colors, genders, and hairstyles and the straightforward, crisp storytelling enrich this brand new fairytale. mjw

Title: Imelda And The Goblin King Author: Briony May Smith Illustrator: Briony May Smith Publisher: Flying Eye Books, an imprint of Nobrow Ltd., London Copyright: 2105 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-909263-65-9 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Sandhurst, U.K. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Sandhurst, U.K. Subjects: Fairies, Fairytales and folklore, Goblins, Pie, Royalty