Tag Archives: Families

The Servant

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At the age of 15,  Faten is forced to leave her happy life in her mountain village as she travels to the city of Beirut where she begins work as a maid to help her family make ends meet.  For two years Faten works tirelessly, barely able to find a spare moment for herself. This strong-willed, determined young woman longs for more in life and she begins to pursue her dream of attending university to become a nurse with the help of her handsome, blonde neighbor, Marwan.  Marwan graciously arranges the exams Faten will need to get into university and a romance begins to unfold.  Unfortunately, Faten is spotted on an outing with Marwan, word travels to her boss, and Faten is fired from her job.  Upon returning home to her village, Faten is chastised. She must earn her father’s understanding and forgiveness so she can return to Beirut where she can continue independently in her journey for a better, more fulfilling purpose in life.  This third-person narrative highlights the ambitious, hopeful spirit of a young woman living in the late 1980s in a war-torn Lebanese society. cc

Title: The Servant Author: Fatima Sharafeddine Illustrator: Colin Jack Publisher:  Groundwood Books/ House of Anansi Press Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Arabic Translator: Fatima Sharafeddine Original Title: Faten Original Publisher: Kalimat Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-55498-307-0 Hardcover pages: 144 Age range: 13 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Lebanon Author’s ethnicity: Lebanese Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Household workers, Lebanon, Maids, Self-realization, War

Tales From Nasreddin Hodja

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Nasreddin Hodja is Turkey’s best-known trickster. These 43 witty and silly short tales are based on the works of Nasreddin, who was born in the village of Horto in south-central Turkey in 1208. Hodja is a title meaning teacher or scholar. Hodja is a hard-working, honest, and beloved character whose advice is solicited by the local villagers. Absurd questions, practical jokes, and witty one-liners characterize the humorous anecdotes. Watercolor and ink drawings add to the fun. mjw

Title: Tales From Nasreddin Hodja Author: Cengiz Demir Illustrator: Oznur Kalender – Erdogan Ogultekin Publisher: Tughra Books Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Turkish Translator: Serdar Aslar Original Title: Nasrettin Hoca Serisi Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-59784-285-3 Paperback pages: 143 Age range: 7-9 Genre: Fiction, Folktales Book setting: Turkey Author’s ethnicity: Turkish Author’s residence: Istanbul, Turkey Subjects: Central Asia, Folklore, Humor, Middle East, Tales, Wisdom

Over The Hills And Far Away: A Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes

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This collection of 150 culturally diverse nursery rhymes  is illustrated  by a fantastic team of 77 well-known and emerging artists  from various countries. The collection combines familiar and unfamiliar nursery rhymes on the same page to complement each other and create new and refreshing interpretations. Both younger and older readers will swoon over the pictures and laugh aloud when reading these rhymes. A book perfect for reading aloud. ema

Title: Over The Hills And Far Away: A Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes Author: Collected by Elizabeth Hammill Illustrator: Various Publisher: Seven Stories Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: Over The Hills And Far Away: A Treasury Of Nursery Rhymes Original Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-84780-406-8 Hardcover pages: 160 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Nursery Rhyme Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: Newcastle upon Tyne Illustrator’s ethnicity: Various Illustrator’s residence: Various Subjects: African American, Akan, American, Anglo American, Art, Australian, Caribbean, Chinese American, Chippewa, Classics, English, Diversity, Inuit,  Jamaican, Language, Latino, Maori, Mother Goose Rhymes, Nursery Rhymes, Oral reading, Poetry, Punjabi, Scottish, South African, Tohono O’odham, Trinidadian, Tsimshian, Wintu, Yiddish

Rose Under Fire

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American Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and is sent to the women’s concentration camp, Ravenshrück. She finds solace in her “camp family” that encourages her  to write about medically experimented upon Polish women. Even in bleak circumstances, Rose finds beauty, bravery, and the hope she will tell the world what she has seen. This heart-wrenching companion  to Code Name Verity by the same author has stunning writing, fascinating characters, and gorgeous imagery. ema

Title: Rose Under Fire Author:  Elizabeth Wein Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4231-8309-9 Hardcover pages: 368 Age range: Young Adult Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: England, Scotland, France, and Germany in WWII Author’s ethnicity: English; born in New York City Author’s residence: Scotland Awards: 2014 Schneider Family Book Award Winner, 2014 Josette Frank Award Winner, 2014 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book, 2014 Golden Kite Award Honor Book Subjects: Adventure, Air Pilots, Concentration Camps, Death, Families, Flying, Female Friendships, Friends, Historical Fiction, Hope, Language, Nazis, Planes, Poetry,  Relationships,  War, Women Air Pilots, World War II

Same, Same But Different

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Elliot lives in America and Kailish lives in India. They exchange drawings and notes as part of a Picture Pals project in their schools. The boys compare families, pets, cities, alphabets, and art and yoga classes, and discover that they are best friends even though they live in two different worlds. Or do they? “Different, different but the same!” The colorful, detailed and vivid art, rendered in acrylic, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper, illustrates the differences and similarities between the boys’ homes. Stamps on the endpapers are whimsical and fun. In this age of instant access through the Internet, students can see a different way to communicate. The author/illustrator traveled to Nepal and India where she learned the popular saying “same, same but different” that is used to compare cultures. mjw

Title: Same, Same But Different Author: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, New York Copyright: 2011 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-8050-8946-2 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: U.S. and India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2012 South Asia Book Award, 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award Subjects: Alphabet, Friendship, Pen pals

The Herd Boy

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Readers experience a typical day of the courageous and bright Malusi who is responsible for protecting a herd of sheep in South Africa. Malusi dreams of becoming president despite his friend’s doubts. Expressive illustrations of the lively landscape, a special appearance by Nelson Mandela, a glossary of words from South Africa, and a note from the author describing the inspiration for the book are featured. ema

Title: The Herd Boy Author: Niki Daly Illustrator: Niki Daly Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Janetta Otter-Barry Books, Frances Lincoln Books Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0802854179 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: South Africa Author’s ethnicity: South African Author’s residence: Cape Town Awards: 2012 Junior Library Guild Selection, Poetry Center at Passaic County CC, 2013 Paterson Prize for Young People Honor Book, United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), 2013 Outstanding International Books Subjects: African People, Animals, Baboons, Family, Food, Friends, Herders, Language, Leaders, Nelson Mandela, Presidents, Sheep, South Africa, Xhosa, World Leaders

The Secret Sky: A Novel Of Forbidden Love In Afghanistan

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This modern Romeo and Juliet story of sorts, set in Afghanistan, is narrated by three of the main characters. Samiullah, a Pashtun boy, and Fatima, a Hazara girl, are two innocent teenagers who fall in love. Their ethnic groups differ and do not get along because of their historical backgrounds. Their desire to get married disgraces their families and sets a series of horrific events in motion. The third narrator is Samiullah’s cousin Rashid, the villain, who has fallen under the influence of the Taliban. He has seen Samiullah and Fatima together, assumes the worst, and turns them in to the local Taliban. Disturbing depictions of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against men, women, and children; amazing acts of kindness, bravery, and sacrifice; vivid imagery; complex characters; and a suspenseful ending make the book unputdownable. Though fictional, this powerful and hopeful love story paints a realistic picture of the conflicts and culture clashes in Afghanistan today. The author was a foreign news correspondent in Kabul for nearly five years. mjw

Title: The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love In Afghanistan Author: Atia Abawi Publisher: Philomel Books, Penguin Young Readers Group Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-399-16078-3 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 14 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Afghanistan Author’s ethnicity: Afghani Author’s residence: Jerusalem Awards: 2015 South Asia Book Award – Highly Commended, 2015 Amelia Bloomer List Subjects: Conflict, Culture, Ethnic relations, Family relations, Hazaras, Love, Marriage, Pushtuns, Social justice, Talibans

Code Name Verity

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A British pilot’s plane crashes down in Nazi occupied France. “Kittyhawk” has a chance of survival, but her friend “Verity” is unlikely to survive. Verity is captured by the Gestapo and can either reveal her mission or be gruesomely tortured. Careful attention to historical detail makes Verity and Kittyhawk’s story believable. This riveting tale told in journal entries with literary references and plot twists is about a beautiful friendship forged in a dark time in history. ema

Title: Code Name Verity Author: Elizabeth Wein Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1423152194 Hardcover pages: 352 Age range: 14 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: England, France, and Scotland  Author’s ethnicity: American; grew up abroad Author’s residence: Scotland Awards:UK Literary Association Award Winner, 2013 Edgar Award Winner, 2013 Printz Honor Book, 2012 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book, Shortlisted for the 2013 CILIP Carnegie Award, Golden Kite Award Honor Book, Shortlisted for the 2012 Scottish Children’s Book Award Subjects: Adventure, Air Pilots, Espionage, Families, Flying, Female Friendships, Friends, Historical Fiction, Language, Nazis, Planes, Spies, War, Women Air Pilots, World War Two

Golden Domes And Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book Of Colors

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This informative color-concept book captures the vibrant world of Islam. A red prayer rug, a blue hijab, orange henna designs, and a green Quran are some of the elements that make up the world of the young female narrator’s faith. The short rhyming text is supplemented by beautiful illustrations that hint of fabric collage and photography, and are influenced by Islamic art. A Glossary with pronunciations completes this introduction to the culture and religion. mjw

Title: Golden Domes And Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book Of Colors Author: Hena Khan Illustrator: Mehrdokht Amini Publisher: Chronicle Books Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-8118-7905-7 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 3-6 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Pakistani-American Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: Grew up in Iran Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: 2013 Middle East Outreach Council Book Award – Honorable Mention Subjects: Colors, Hijab, Holidays, Islam customs and practices, Muslims, Stories in rhyme

Twenty-two Cents: Muhammad Yunus And The Village Bank

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Muhammad Yunis grew up in India in the 1940s in a family that cared for and wanted to help others. He witnessed extreme poverty. He studied economics in America, and when he returned to his homeland (which became Bangladesh), as an economics professor, he founded Grameen Bank where people could borrow small amounts of money to start a job, and then pay back the bank without unfairly high interest charges. Over the next years, he was responsible for loaning more than 10 billion U.S. dollars in micro-credit, and empowering the poor, especially women, to break the cycle of poverty. Yunus would become renowned as the Banker to the Poor. Accurate and authentic soft chalk pastels enhance this true story. Back matter includes an Afterword with information on poverty in America, an update on Yunus’s life, and photos of him as a young Boy Scout and as a Nobel Prize laureate in 2006. Author’s Sources are also provided. mjw

Title: Twenty-two Cents: Muhammad Yunus And The Village Bank Author: Paula Yoo Illustrator: Jamel Akib Publisher: Lee & Low Books, New York Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-60060-658-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-11 Genre: Picture book, Biography Book setting: India and Bangladesh Author’s ethnicity: Korean-American Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: English and Malaysian Illustrator’s residence: England Awards: 2015 South Asia Book Award, 2015 IRA Notable Books for a Global Society Subjects: Bangladesh, Bankers, Economics, Economists, Generosity, Microcredit, Microfinance, Nobel Peace Prize 2006, Social activists, Social justice

The Wrath And The Dawn

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The brutal Caliph of Khorasan each night kills his new bride before dawn breaks. This changes when Khalid marries Shahrzad. Shahrzad volunteers herself as the caliph’s bride. She wishes to get revenge for her best friend’s death by marrying the King of Kings and giving him the same fate as her friend. Although Shahrzad plans on killing the king, she realizes that Khalid is not the callous monster that she believed he would be. When Shahrzad falls in love with him, she must decide whether to follow her heart or avenge the lives of the caliph’s late wives.  The book’s gorgeous cover and fantastical end pages will entice readers to open the book, while the story will keep them mesmerized. The book also features a map of the book’s setting and a glossary of words readers may be unfamiliar with. The Wrath and The Dawn is a dazzling retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. This romance versus loyalty tale has beautiful imagery, great characterization, and magical elements which will leave readers craving for the next book. ema

Title: The Wrath And The Dawn Author: Renée Ahdieh Publisher: G.P.  Putnam’s Sons, a Penguin Publishing Group Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-399-17161-1 Hardcover pages: 388 Age range: 14 up Genre: Fairytale Reimagining, Fantasy Book setting: Fantasy World Based on the Middle East  Author’s ethnicity: Asian American Author’s residence: United States Awards: A Junior Library Guild Selection, A Summer 2015 Kids’ Indie Next List Top Ten Pick Subjects: Arabian Nights, Arranged Marriages, Fairy Tale Reimaginings/ Retellings, Fantasy, Friendships,  Loyalty, Love, Magical Elements, Marriages, Middle East, Murder, One Thousand and One Nights, Persian, Relationships, Romance

I Have The Right To Be A Child

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Inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, I Have The Right To Be A Child is a picture book that makes young readers ponder about rights of  children. The simplistically beautiful acrylic illustrations perfectly accompany the book’s first person narration. This moving picture book explains the types of rights children around the world should be entitled to. It is important to note that at the end of the book, there is an explanation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This explanation details the specific rights the states who sign the agreement must uphold. There is also a list of states who are party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. There are only three members of the UN who are not party to the Convention. These three countries are Somalia, the United States, and South Sudan. I Have The Right To Be A Child is a perfect book to teach about peace and human rights. It illustrates the type of world we hope to live in and challenges readers to advocate for children’s rights. ema

Title: I Have The Right To Be A Child Author: Alain Serres Illustrator: Aurélia Fronty Publisher: Groundwood Books House of Anansi Press Copyright: 2012 Original Language: French Translator: Helen Minster Original Title: S’ai le droit d’être un enfant Original Publisher: Rue du Monde  Original Copyright: 2009 ISBN: 978-1-55498-149-6 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book  Book setting: Around the World Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Awards: IRA Notable Books for a Global Society List, Selected for Children’s Literary Assembly, 2013 Notable Children’s Books, and USBBY Outstanding International Booklist Subjects: Activism, Children’s Rights, Disabilities, Diversity, Education, Families, Friends, Gender, Human Rights, Peace, Race, United Nations, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child