Tag Archives: Families

I Capture The Castle

I Capture The CastleReaders follow seventeen-year-old Cassandra’s diary accounting her life with her extraordinary family in their crumbling castle. Her family slides into genteel poverty after her father falls into a long phase of writer’s block. Rose, Cassandra’s sister, is desperate to marry for riches as a way of supporting her family. The castle’s atmosphere changes when their new neighbors and landlords from America arrive. Rose and Cassandra discover that the heart cannot choose who it falls in love with no matter how hard the mind may try. Fans of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte will be enchanted by this captivating and bittersweet read. The author, who is best known for her novel The Hundred And One Dalmatians, wrote I Capture The Castle during World War II when she moved to California. Cassandra’s story is inspired by the  author’s experiences in England during the 1930s. ema
Title: I Capture The Castle
Author: Dodie Smith (1896-1990)
Publisher: Vintage Classics
Copyright
: 2012
Original Language
: English
Original Title
: I Capture The Castle
Original Publisher
: William Heinemann
Original Copyright: 1949
ISBN
: 978-0-099-57288-6
Paperback pages: 566
Age range
: 14 up
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: 1930s England
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Subjects
: Artists, Castles, Love, Poverty, Romance, Sisters, Writers

Boys Don’t Knit (In Public)

Boys don't knitSeventeen-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

The Wolf Wilder

the wolf wilderTwelve-year-old Feodora, Feo for short, lives in the snowy woods of Russia with her mother. They are wolf wilders. They take wolves that were bought as pups by St. Petersburg aristocrats and abandoned; teach the wolves to hunt, fight, and distrust humans; and then release them back into the wild. Feo’s house was burned and her mother was attacked and captured by the Russian Army. Accompanied by three loyal wolves, Ilya, a sensitive, lost young soldier who loves ballet, and Alexei, a 15-year-old agitator from a nearby village, Feo sets off into the ice and snow of the woods on a journey to rescue her mother. Set near the end of Tsar Nicholas II’s reign, the story combines history with fairytale, and suggests the hope of the Revolution. Feo is a feisty and beautiful heroine, who stands for everything that is right. This captivating book begins with a note on wolf wilders (which the author made up). mjw
Title: The Wolf Wilder
Author: Katherine Rundell
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York
Copyright
: 2105
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing, London
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-1942-0
Hardcover pages
: 240
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Russia
Author’s Ethnicity:
Grew up in Zimbabwe, Brussels, and London
Author’s residence
: Oxford, England
Subjects
: Ballet, Bravery, Fairytales, Fantasy, Mothers and daughters, Russia – history – Nicholas II, 1894-1917, Russian Revolution, Survival, Wolves

The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can

The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a CanThis book is based on the author’s true story. As a young girl, she dreamed of going to school. It was a challenge for her to achieve her dream because in her country Rhodesia, current Zimbabwe, girls do not receive any formal education. This picture book is filled with watercolor illustrations and moving text that describes how she achieved her dream of earning three degrees. The author  shares her talents as an educator and humanitarian with her village and other communities around the world.  ema
Title: The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can
Author: Dr. Tererai Trent
Illustrator
: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Publisher
: Penguin
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN: 978-0-670-01654-9
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range: 6-8
Genre
: Nonfiction Picture Book
Book setting
: Zimbabwe
Author’s ethnicity
: Zimbabwean
Author’s residence
: Zimbabwe and California
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: African American
Illustrator’s residence
: Chicago
Subjects: Africa, Communities, Girls Education, Dreams, Education, Villages

An Island Of Our Own

an island of our ownSiblings, seventeen-year-old Jonathan, ten-year-old Holly, and six-year-old Davy have to look after themselves since their mum died. Jonathan has turned down his place at university to work in a café to care for Holly and Davy. Their wealthy and eccentric Aunt Irene passes away and leaves them some photographs that might lead to an inheritance, and Holly is determined to find the hidden treasure. On their quest, using the modern technology of a Maker Space to find clues, they meet a wide variety of people and travel across England and Scotland. Holly, who narrates the story, is optimistic and spunky. Jonathan is strong, nerdy, and cool. References to Dr. Who, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Chronicles of Narnia; short chapters; and likeable characters help make this contemporary adventure about the strength of family and kindness of others a lot of fun. mjw
Title: An Island Of Out Own
Author: Sally Nicholls
Publisher
: Scholastic Children’s Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1407-12433-9
Paperback pages
: 240
Age range
: 11up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: England, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Oxford, UK
Awards
: 2015 IBW Children’s Fiction Award, 2015 Guardian Children’s Fiction Longlist
Subjects:  Brothers and sisters, Discovery, Humor, Maker spaces, Mysteries, Photographs, Technology

The Stone Lion

stone-lionA stone lion watches people outside of a library every day. Though he is made of stone, he is fascinated by the people who sit next to him. The lion longs for the chance to become a warm breathing creature and run in the park near the library. One snowy night a homeless girl and her baby brother sit next to the lion. More than anything the lion wishes he could come alive to help them. This heartwarming story, illustrated with soft pastels, shows that though there are hardships, a little bit of kindness and compassion can change lives. ema

 

Title: The Stone Lion
Author: Margaret Wild
Illustrator
: Rita Voutila
Publisher
: Little Hare
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Title
: The Stone Lion
Original Publisher
: Little Hare
Original Copyright
: 2014
ISBN
: 978-1-921894855
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range: 5-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Australian
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Finnish
Illustrator’s residence
: Australia
Awards: 2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Honour Book of the Year
Subjects: Depression-era, Homeless, Libraries, Lions, Reading

In The New World: A Family In Two Centuries

In the new worldRobert and Margarete Peters and their children Johannes, who is eight, and Dorothea, who is six, emigrate from Germany to the United States in 1869. They leave behind severe economic conditions, their farm, family, and friends. They can take only what they can carry in the one trunk allowed in steerage aboard the Teutonia. They land in New Orleans and join a wagon train headed west to Nebraska, where they establish a farm outside Omaha. The book ends with fifth generation, multiethnic descendants of Robert and Margarete, who live on the same farm in Omaha, traveling back to their ancestral home in Germany to uncover their history. Detailed, delicate, and crisp pencil and watercolor illustrations enrich the fascinating, well-organized, flowing text in this excellent resource for social studies classrooms. Decorative maps on the endpapers show each family’s journey.  mjw
Title: In The New World: A Family In Two Centuries
Author: Christa Holtei
Illustrator
: Gerda Raidt
Publisher
: Charlesbridge Publishing
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: German
Translator
: Susi Woofter
Original Title
: In Die Neue Welt: Eine Familiengeschichte in Zwei Jahrhunderten
Original Publisher
: Julius Beltz GmbH and Co. KG, Beltz Verlag
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-1-58089-630-6
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 5-10
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Germany and Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Author’s ethnicity
: German
Author’s residence
: Germany
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: German
Illustrator’s residence
: Germany
Subjects
: Biography, Cultural identity, Emigration and immigration, Family life, Farmers, German Americans, Immigrants, Nebraska, United States 1800s

The Green Bicycle

The Green bicycleOne of Saudi Arabia’s best-known and most controversial filmmakers has adapted her very successful film Wadjda for middle grade readers. Rebellious, 11-year-old Wadjda lives with her strict parents in modern day Riyadh and dreams of owning the green bicycle that she passes in a store everyday on her way to school.   She wants to race her friend Abdullah, but riding bikes is frowned upon for girls and Wadjda’s parents refuse to buy the bike for her. Wadjda tries to raise the money buy selling bracelets and mixtapes that she makes. Fiercely independent, she doesn’t fit in at school, gets into a lot of trouble, and risks expulsion. She eventually enters a Quran competition in order to win the prize money and purchase the bike. She wins, but the school chooses to donate the money to Palestine on her behalf. She returns home to find that her mother has bought the bike and Wadjda then wins the race against Abdullah. Explanations of various elements of Saudi culture and its patriarchal society are woven into the story and provide helpful background for readers unfamiliar with the region. The film Wadjda (2012) was the first full-length feature to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and through 2013, the only feature-length film made in Saudi Arabia by a female director. The film has won numerous awards around the world. mjw
Title: The Green Bicycle
Author: Haifaa Al Mansour
Publisher
: Dial Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0525-42806-0
Hardcover pages
: 352
Age range
: 8 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Author’s ethnicity
: Saudi Arabian
Author’s residence
: Bahrain
Awards
: The film Wadjda (2012) won the 2013 Best International Feature Audience Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival
Subjects
: Bicycles and bicycling, Coming of Age, Female empowerment, Gender roles, Girls and women, Koran, Middle East, Music, Muslims, Quran, Sex roles,

The Tea Party In The Woods

The Tea Party In The WoodsKikko’s father forgot the pie he was going to bring to Grandmother’s house. Kikko runs through the snow-covered woods to give her father the pie before he reaches the home. Unfortunately, Kikko trips and ruins the pie. Although she is dispirited, she still plans on giving her grandmother the pie. As she continues to follow what she believes to be her father’s footprints, Kikko comes across a house she has never seen before. She meets speaking, clothed, and upright woodland creatures who invite her to their tea party. The mostly black and white charcoaled and penciled illustrations have touches of color and bring this enchanting tale of unexpected friendship and kindness to life.  ema
Title: The Tea Party In The Woods
Author: Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator
: Akiko Miyakoshi
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Japanese
Translator
: Kids Can Press
Original Title
: Mori no Oku no Ochakai e
Original Publisher
: Kaisei-Sha Publishing Co. Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2010
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-107-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Tokyo
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Tokyo
Awards: A 2015 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year Winner
Subjects: Acts of kindness, Grandmother, Party, Pies, Tea, Winter, Woods

Salt To The Sea

Salt To The SeaAs World War II comes to a close in the winter of 1945, refugees flee East Prussia as the Soviet Union advances in the area. Thousands gather at the coast of the Baltic Sea in the hopes of gaining freedom and security by obtaining a ticket on one of the ships. One of these vessels is the Wilhelm Gustloff. Sepetys’ courageous novel sheds light on the greatest tragedy in maritime history and how the carnage resulting from warfare collides with the lives of innocents. Though readers can find the story heartbreaking at times, hope and life are ever present in this novel told by four teenagers from different countries. The honest prose gives voice to those incapable of sharing their story. ema

 


Title: Salt To The Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher
: Philomel Books
Copyright
: 2016
ISBN: 978-0-399-16030-1
Hardcover pages
: 400
Age range: 12-17
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book Setting: East Prussia
Author’s ethnicity
: Lithuanian American
Author’s residence
: Tenessee
Subjects: Death, Maritime tragedy, Refugees, Warfare, World War II

The Snow Rabbit

The snow rabbitTwo blonde sisters look out of their window at the snowy sky in this charming wordless picture book. One sister goes out and builds a snow rabbit. When she brings it inside to her wheelchair-bound sister and it begins to melt, they take it back outside and magical things start to happen. The sisters chase the rabbit and the wheelchair gets stuck in the snow. Finally the girls ride the rabbit, which has grown to an enormous size, back through the moonlight to the safety of their cottage. The 3-D hand-colored cut-paper illustrations, set in dioramas, dramatically lit, and photographed, add impact to the enchantment. mjw
Title: The Snow Rabbit
Author: Camille Garoche (Princesse Camcam)
Illustrator
: Camille Garoche (Princesse Camcam)
Publisher
: Enchanted Lion Books, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English 
ISBN
: 978-1-59270-181-0
Hardcover pages
: 56
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Wordless Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: French
Author’s residence
: Paris, France
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Subjects
: Children with disabilities, Magic, Rabbits, Sisters, Snow, Stories without words

Apple And Rain

apple and rainThirteen-year-old Apollinia Apostolopoulou (Apple) has lived with her strict grandmother since her flighty mother went off to America to be a Broadway actress eleven years ago. Her grandmother makes her go to church on Sundays, won’t let her hang out with her girlfriends, and is too watchful. Apple craves the return of her mother and when she returns, Apple eagerly chooses to live with her. But things aren’t as Apple expects. Her mother does not have a job, is not responsible, and has another ten-year-old daughter, Rain, who has her own set of problems. Rain carries around a doll, which she believes is real and can’t take care of herself. Apple is reduced to being Rain’s babysitter and maid. Del, the boy next door, is a wonderful character who is sweet, smart, geeky, and adds humor to the book. Mr. Gaydon, Apple’s teacher, helps Apple by encouraging her to see poetry and writing as a creative outlet. This quick read about forgiveness, complicated relationships, and Apple’s growth and change is heartbreaking, emotionally intense, but honest. mjw
Title: Apple And Rain
Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English 
ISBN
: 978-1-4088-5306-1
Hardcover pages
: 332
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Realistic Fiction
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: Grew up in Dublin and London
Author’s residence
: Hertfordshire, England
Awards
: 2015 Carnegie Medal Nominee
Subjects
: Coming of age, Dysfunctional families, Family problems, Mothers and daughters, Poetry, Sisters