Tag Archives: Families

Amina

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Fourteen-year-old Amina lives in war-torn Somalia. Like her father, she has a passion for creating art which could get her in trouble with the Al-Shabaab, the rebel militant force which uses violence to control Somalia. Suddenly, Amina’s father is arrested for creating art which the Islamic extremists believe is against Islam, and her brother is kidnapped leaving her, her pregnant mother, and her elderly grandmother struggling to survive. Still, Amina firmly believes in creating her street art so the world will be inspired by her artwork which hopes for a better future. This gripping novel, a part of the “Through My Eyes”  series, features a map of Somalia, an author’s note, a timeline of Somali history, a glossary of terms, and research resources to learn more about the country. ema

Title: Amina Author: J.L. Powers Publisher: Allen & Unwin Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Title: Amina Original Publisher: Allen & Unwin Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-174331-249-0 Paperback pages: 184 Age range: 11-14 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Somalia in 2011 Author’s ethnicity: American Author’s residence: California Subjects: Children Soldiers, Civil war, Hunger, Independence, Islam, Painting, Poetry, Politics, Poverty, Religion

Bartolomé The Infantina’s Pet

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Madrid is a harsh place for a dwarf named Bartolomé. He is seen as incapable and worthless due to his deformities. When Bartolomé moves to the city with his family, he is hidden in a back room so as to not be seen. One day while Jeronima, a 20 year old neighbor who has an intellectual disability, is carrying Bartolomé back from secret reading and writing lessons with a monk, Bartolomé tumbles out of the laundry basket and into the path of the royal carriage of the Infanta, the king’s daughter. The Infanta gets out of the carriage and gazes upon Bartolomé, perceiving him as a human dog and plans to make him into another one of her playthings. Now having lost his dignity, Bartolomé must be dressed up daily as a dog to please the Infanta. Andrés is the painter’s apprentice who is in charge of painting Bartolomé’s face. Kindly, he teaches Bartolomé how to make paint and even allows him to create his own work of art which is beautiful and meaningful. With the help of his family and members of the painters’ guild, a clever magic trick allows Bartolomé to be free from his degrading work and he becomes a painter’s apprentice himself. This story takes place during the 17th century and explores the intolerance of individuals with disabilities while a hopeful tone shines through. cc

Title: Bartolomé The Infanta’s Pet Author: Rachel Van Kooij Publisher: Little Island Copyright: 2012 Original Language: German Translator: Siobhán Parkinson Original Title: Kein Hundeleben für Bartolomé Original Publisher: Jungbrunnen Verlag Original Copyright: 2003 ISBN: 978-1-908195-26-5 Paperback pages: 208 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Madrid, Spain Author’s ethnicity: Dutch Author’s residence: Austria Subjects: 17th century, Disabilities, Discrimination, Dwarfs, Families, Madrid, Spain

The Bus Ride

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This book captures the thrills, fears, and excitement a child has when  experiencing something new. It is Clara’s first time riding on the bus to her grandmother’s house alone. Detailed illustrations, made by tiny strokes of softly colored pencils, and words are reminiscent of  “Little Red Riding Hood”. Similarities include Clara traveling to her grandmother’s house, a red sweater and picnic basket, and a family of wolves. Readers should pay close attention to the other character’s actions and newspaper headings which foreshadow upcoming events. ema

Title: The Bus Ride Author: Marianne Dubuc Illustrator: Marianne Dubuc Publisher: Kids Can Press Copyright: 2015 Original Language: French Translator: Yvette Ghione Original Title: L’autobus Original Publisher: Comme des géants inc. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-77138-209-0 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-7 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: French Canadian Author’s residence: Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Busses, Bus ride, Fairytales, Friendly community, Independence, Little Red Riding Hood, Travel

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