Tag Archives: Families

Cloudwish

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

Malala: Activist For Girls’ Education

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Malala Yousafzai stood up to the Taliban, fought for girls’ education, and received the Nobel Prize in 2014. At age fifteen, the Taliban attempted to kill her, but even this did not stop her activism. Bright, beautiful naïve-style folk illustrations depict Pakistan and Malala’s life. The present tense text will engage and inspire older readers. Back matter includes photos of Malala, the history of the fight for girls’ education, a map of Pakistan, a timeline, information about the Taliban, details about Malala’s heroes, excerpts from her speeches, and a brief biography. mjw

Title: Malala: Activist For Girls’ Education
Author: Raphaele Frier
Illustrator: Aurelia Fronty
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing, Watertown, MA. USA
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: French
Translator: Julie Cormier
Original Title: Malala: pur le droit des filles a l’education
Original Publisher: Editions Rue du Monde
Original Copyright: 2105
ISBN: 978-1-58089-785-3
Hardcover pages: 48
Age range: 6-9
Genre: Picture Book Biography
Book setting: Pakistan and England
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Awards: 2018 Batchelder Award Honor
Subjects: Biography, Education Girls, Pakistan, Political activists, Sex discrimination in education, Women social reformers

La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes For Los Niños

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la-madre-goose Classic nursery rhymes are creatively reimagined in this bilingual picture book. The softly colored illustrations are absolutely adorable. Rhymes in this book include: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, “This Little Piggy Went to Market”, and other classics. This is perfect for teaching both English and Spanish. English Language Learners whose primary language is Spanish will be familiar with Spanish words while learners whose primary language is English will benefit from learning a second language. The book has a helpful glossary with definitions of Spanish words translated into English. It also includes explanations of how to pronounce the words. A great resource for teachers teaching the English or Spanish language to young students. ema

Title: La Madre Goose: Nursery Rhymes For Los Niños
Author: Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English and Spanish
Original Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0399251573
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 5-8
Genre: Picture Book and Nursery Rhymes
Authors’ ethnicity: American
Authors’ residence: California
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Peruvian
Illustrator’s residence: Arizona
Subjects: Bilingual, Nursery Rhymes

Ticket To India

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After their grandmother’s death, twelve-year-old Maya and her older sister Zara set off on a mission from Delhi to their grandmother’s childhood home in Aminpur in northern India. They are looking for valuable heirlooms that are buried in a trunk on the property. The family left them decades earlier when they fled to Pakistan during Partition in 1947. Along the way, Maya is kidnapped, makes some very bad decisions, but ultimately finds the treasure and her inner bravery. Maya’s journal fills readers in on the backstory of India and Pakistan. A Map, a Glossary, an Author’s Note, and a Reading Group Guide are also included in this action novel packed with fascinating information about the history and culture of India and Pakistan. mjw

Title: Ticket To India
Author: N.H. Senzai
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books. New York
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-4814-2259-8
Paperback pages: 304
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction
Book setting: Pakistan and India
Author’s ethnicity: Indian
Author’s residence: U.S.
Subjects: Asia; Historical, Asia; Multigenerational; Partition, 1947

Hidden

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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

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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

A Year In Our New Garden

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Anna and Benjamin’s family has moved into a new house in the city and they have big plans for their garden. They draw maps of their garden plots, gather their garden tools, and get straight to work, digging and planting. They plant flowers and vegetables, and learn about birds and insects. They make lemonade and leaf and acorn jewelry and toys. A recipe and directions are included. Also provided are gardening tips. Benjamin even writes a poem. This seasonal story is accompanied by beautifully detailed watercolor and ink illustrations. Young readers will be inspired to explore their own gardens. mjw

Title: A Year In Our New Garden
Author: Gerda Muller
Illustrator: Gerda Muller
Publisher: Floris Books, Edinburgh
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: German
Original Title: Ein Garten fur Kinder in der Stadt
Original Copyright: 1988
ISBN: 978-1-78250-259-3
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Paris
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Dutch
Illustrator’s residence: Paris
Awards: 2017 USBBY Outstanding International Books List
Subjects: Birds, Gardens, Seasons, Wildlife

The Only Road

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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

Title: The Only Road
Author: Alexandra Diaz
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English (Spanish edition available)
ISBN:978-1-4814-5750-7
Hardcover pages: 320
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction based on current events
Book setting: Guatemala, Mexico, United States
Author’s ethnicity: Cuban
Author’s residence: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Awards; 2017 Pura Belpre Author Honor
Subjects: Artwork, Dogs, Drawing, Family, Gangs, Immigration, Travel, Violence

The Tin Snail

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This fun, fast-paced World War II adventure, told through the eyes of a teenage boy, is based on the true story of the Citroen 2CV car. In 1938, thirteen-year-old Angelo wants to help his father, who is a well-known auto designer, invent a car for everyday working people. After many failures and crashes, they, with the help of Angelo’s friend Camille and other villagers, build a prototype that will carry “a farmer, his wife, two chickens, a flagon of wine, and a dozen eggs safely across a bumpy fields.” War breaks out and testing the prototype, the Tin Snail, becomes difficult because the Nazis want to steal the design. Black-and–white chapter-heading drawings are a delightful addition. An epilogue, set at the Paris Motor Show of 1948, tells about the post-war development of the car and brings readers up to date with Angelo and Camille. A final chapter, The True Story Behind The Tin Snail, gives the events that inspired the story. mjw

Title: The Tin Snail
Author: Cameron McAllister
Illustrator: Sam Usher
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Copyright: 2014
Original Language: English
Original Publisher: Random House Children’s Publishers UK, London
Original Copyright: 2014
ISBN: 978-0-553-53638-6
Hardcover pages: 275
Age range: 9-12
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: France
Author’s ethnicity: English
Author’s residence: Brighton, England
Illustrator’s ethnicity: English
Illustrator’s residence: North London, England
Subjects: Automobiles – design and construction, Cars, Europe, Fathers and sons, France, German occupation, Italians, Military and wars, Underground movements, World War II

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey

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This stunning bilingual Arabic/English picture book was inspired by the unique stone-collage art of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr. It is the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once peaceful village to escape the devastation of the civil war. Taking only what they can carry on their backs, Rama, her mother and father, her grandfather, and her brother Sami, walk to freedom in Europe. The artist’s images are photographs of carefully placed stones, creating figures that come to life to tell the story. A forward tells how the author discovered Badr’s art. mjw

Title: Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey
Author: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrator: Nizar Ali Badr
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English and Arabic
Translator: Falah Raheem
ISBN: 978-1-4598-1490-5
Hardcover pages: 28
Age range: 9-12
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Syria and Europe
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Syrian
Illustrator’s residence: Syria
Subjects: Bilingual books, Civil war- Syria 2011, Refugee crisis, Refugees, Stone art, Syria.

What A Party!

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Be careful when your mother says you can invite anyone you like to your birthday party, or you may have the craziest party ever. Children, pets, parents, salsa dancers, and a reggae band all join together in this celebration of diversity. Jack brings Larry, a soccer ball, and coconut cookies. Jack tells Beto and Antonieta, who bring their parrot, pineapples, mangoes, and passion fruit. The buffet grows in this chain reaction to include pizza, couscous, sushi, and much more. This is a great introduction to different countries, and everyone relates to food! Friends, family, and food from around the world are illustrated in acrylic and oil pastels. mjw

Title: What A Party!
Author: Ana Maria Machado
Illustrator: Helene Moreau
Publisher: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press. Toronto
Copyright: 2013
Original Language: Portuguese
Translator: Elisa Amado
Original Title: Mas que festa!
Original Publisher: Nova Fronteira. Rio de Janeiro
Original Copyright: 1999 text, 2005 illustrations
ISBN: 978-1-55498-168-7
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Brazilian
Author’s residence: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Paris, France
Awards: Author has won the 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Award
Subjects: Birthdays, Cautionary tales, Celebrations, Diversity, Holidays, Invitations, Multigenerational, Parties

Pablo And His Chair

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For his birthday, young Pablo receives a chair. What could he do with a chair? Disappointed and angry, he shuts himself in his bedroom. But Pablo is an imaginative kid. He is a musician, an astronaut, a cowboy, and a soccer player, but most of all he is a stunt boy. He becomes a skilled chair acrobat. He sets out into the world, performing for large crowds everywhere. Theatres and performance halls start to ask for Pablo. People even fight to get tickets. Then, one day, he packs up his chair to return home, where everyone and his dinner plate are waiting for him. Glorious, yet simple, line drawings in black fountain pen and colored ink applied with a brush illustrate this fun book. mjw

Title: Pablo And His Chair
Author: Delphine Perret
Illustrator: Delphine Perret
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: French
Translator: Hannele and Associates
Original Title: Pablo et la chaise
Original Publisher: Editions Les Fourmis Rouges
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-1-61689-490-0
Hardcover pages: 32
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: France
Subjects: Birthdays, Family life, Stunt performances