Tag Archives: Food

Amina

Amina Through My EyesFourteen-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

Tales From Nasreddin Hodja

Tales from Nasreddin HodjaNasreddin 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

The Herd Boy

The Herd Boy CoverReaders 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

Golden Domes And Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book Of Colors

Golden DomesThis 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

Gorillas In Our Midst

gorillas in our midstA young bespectacled boy warns that you should always carry a banana with you because you never know when there might be a gorilla around. Gorillas are masters of disguise and they are really good at hiding. They can be astronauts, scuba divers, surgeons, ninjas – even Gorilliam Shakespeare or Apebraham Lincoln. This humorous story with fanciful illustrations of gorillas everywhere ends with a surprising twist. Only grown-ups will get the pun in the title. (Dr. Dian Fossey’s classic nature memoir, Gorillas In The Mist.) The author and illustrator are known for their comic series about the superhero dinosaur, Blastosaurus.  mjw
Title: Gorillas In Our Midst
Author: Richard Fairgray and Terry Jones
Illustrator
: Richard Fairgray and  Terry Jones.  Coloring by Tara Black
Publisher
: Sky Pony Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-63220-607-7
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 3-6
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Born and raised in New Zealand
Author’s residence
: Auckland, New Zealand
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Welsh
Illustrator’s residence
: Auckland, New Zealand
Subjects
: Apes, Disguise, Gorillas, Humorous stories, Monkeys

Haiti My Country

Haiti My Country

Haiti My Country is a collection of poems written by Haitian children before the county’s earthquake in 2010. The authors of these poems about Haiti are from Camp Perrin which is a small village in the southern Republic of Haiti.  It is accompanied by illustrated portraits of the book’s poets recreated from photographs by Rogé. Though Haiti is typically associated with being a nation struck by poverty and the natural disasters which have occurred in the country in recent years, these young writers paint an optimistic, heartwarming, and beautiful picture of Haiti. These young writers’ contemplative poetry demonstrates how people can learn much from observing their surroundings. Haiti My Country will make readers see Haiti from a new viewpoint through the luscious descriptions of the vibrant landscape. The authors show how hope can be found everywhere. ema

Title: Haiti My Country
Author: Poems by Haitian children with preface by Dany Laferriére
Illustrator
: Rogé
Publisher
: Fifth House Publishers
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Solange Messier
Original Title
: Haïtimon Pays
Original Publisher
: La Bagnole
Original Copyright
: 2011
ISBN
: 978-1927083239
Paperback pages
: 44
Age range
: 6-10
Genre
: Poetry
Book setting
: Haiti
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Canada
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Canada
Awards
: 2011 Governor General Finalist  in Children’s Illustration Category, 2011 Lauréat Prix Saint Exupéry French Category, 2012 White Ravens Selection
Subjects: Camp Perrin, Children Authors, Haiti, Hope, Love of Country,  Nature, Poetry, Schools, School Verse, Students, Writing

I Have The Right To Be A Child

I Have A Right To Be A ChildInspired 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 TitleS’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

A Moment Comes

a moment comesSet preceding the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, this story of turmoil and politics is told from the alternating points of view of three very different narrators. Margaret is a privileged British girl, living in India because her father is one of the cartographers finalizing the borders that will divide the country into two separate religious states. She is spoiled and finds India hot, loud, and dangerous, but is enthralled by the culture. Anupreet, a beautiful Sikh girl, once confined to her home to protect her from violent angry men, is employed as a maid for Margaret’s family, where her family believes she will be safe. Eighteen-year-old Tariq, a Muslim, hired as a translator for Margaret’s father, is caught between his forbidden interest in Anupreet and Margaret, who might be able to help with his goal of studying at Oxford. It is a dark and violent time, when no one is safe. Ultimately, 10 to 14 million people in India relocated and over one million died as a result. The time of Partition is underexplored in Western literature, especially in young adult historical fiction. A Glossary defines words used in the book and also mentions places and foods.   An Author’s Note offers even more information and details Bradbury’s connection to India. mjw
Title: A Moment Comes
Author: Jennifer Bradbury
Publisher
: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster, New York
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4169-7876-3
Hardcover pages
: 288
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: Jalandhar, India
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: U.S.  Author has lived in India.
Awards: 2014 South Asia Book Award
Subjects
: Culture, Household employees, India, Muslims, Pakistan, Partition 1947, Punjabi, Radcliffe Line, Sikhs, Tolerance

Written In The Stars

Written in the StarsPakistani-American Naila is a graduating senior at her high school in Florida. She has a college scholarship to become a medical student and she is in love with a wonderful boy named Saif. She has to keep Saif a secret from her conservative immigrant parents. They want what they think is best for her and the choosing of her husband is left up to them with no input from her. But they do find out and they are furious. They whisk her off to Pakistan to find her roots and a husband. Naila has to endure so much – terror, anguish, and loneliness. Everything she knew, loved, and dreamed was taken from her. She is drugged, threatened with shame and death, and coerced into an unwanted, forced marriage. Naila’s first person account of the Pakistan world – huge families, marketplaces, homes, buses, and cuisine – add an extra dimension to this heart-wrenching, but ultimately hopeful novel. A touching Author’s Note explains the difference between arranged and forced marriages and that forced marriages can happen in any country, culture, or religion. Though they are opposed everywhere, they are real and dangerous. Also included are a Glossary and Resources for advice and help. mjw

Title: Written In The Stars
Author: Aisha Saeed
Publisher
: Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Young Readers Group, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-399-17170-3
Hardcover pages
: 284
Age range
: 14 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Pakistan and Florida
Author’s ethnicity
: Pakistani-American
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Subjects
: Arranged marriages, Dating, Forced marriages, Love stories, Marriage, Pakistani-Americans, Relationships.

Walking Home

Walking HomeThirteen-year-old Muchoki and his seven-year-old sister Jata lived, attended school, and played in their bustling Kenyan village until political violence broke out in 2007. Their father was killed, their village was destroyed, and they were forced to move into an overcrowded refugee camp with their ailing mother. When their mother died, they set off on what seemed like an impossible journey over 150 kilometers of Kenyan wilderness and slums to find their grandparents they had never met. It was a dangerous journey for the loveable and brave siblings. Tribal fighting, wild animals, and finding food and shelter were some of the obstacles they faced. The interesting overview of the cultural, political, and geographical landscape of Kenya in this story is filled with determination, charity, and faith. The author walked the same route himself from Mara, up the Rift Valley, down to Nairobi, through Kibera, along the Mombasa highway, to the mountains of Kikima. The author’s website www.ericwalterswalkinghome.com brings Jata and Muchoki’s trek alive. There are symbols throughout the book indicating when readers might want to access the site’s special features, such as pictures, maps, videos, songs, and readings. Proceeds from the book go to the Creation of Hope, an organization that helps provide for orphans in Kenya. mjw
Title: Walking Home
Author: Eric Walters
Publisher
: Doubleday Canada
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0385-68157-5
Paperback pages
: 304
Age range
: 10 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Kenya
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Ontario, Canada
Awards
: 2013 Children’s Africana Book Award
Subjects
: Brothers and sisters, Kenya, Nairobi, Orphans, Political violence, Refugees, Survival

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Chitty Chitty Bang BangChitty Chitty Bang Bang is the story of “crackpot” Commander Caractacus Pot, his wife Mimsie, their twins Jeremy and Jemima, and their magical flying car. A first drive in their new car, with license plates Gen II (genii), takes them to Dover Beach for a picnic, Goodwin Sands in the English Channel, and eventually Calais on the French coast. There, they explore a deep cave, which turns out to be an ammunition dump used by Joe the Monster and his criminal gang. Jeremy and Jemima get kidnapped and a famous Paris chocolate shop is almost robbed, but all turns out well. And a recipe for Monsieur Bon Bon’s Secret Fooj (fudge) is included. Filled with humor, hi-jinks, and even some scientific information, the action-packed fantasy is complete with the original Burningham artwork, which is a beautiful combination of photography and illustration. This timeless story has been reinvented as a musical (2002), a film with a screenplay co-written by Roald Dahl (1968), and has inspired three sequels written by Frank Cottrell Boyce. This is the 50th anniversary full-color gift edition.mjw
Title: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Author: Ian Fleming (1908-1964)
Illustrator
: John Burningham
Publisher
: Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 1964
ISBN
: 978-0-7636-6678-1
Hardcover pages
: 176
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting
: England, France
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: North London
Awards
: Illustrator has won the Kate Greenaway Medal, 1963,1970: UK Nominee for Hans Christian Andersen Award, 1980,1986
Subjects
: Action. Adventure, Gangsters, Humor, Magic, Transportation

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

Boy who harnessed the windFourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba’s village in Malawi was hit by a drought in 2001 and 2002. Everyone’s crops failed and Malawi began to starve. William went to the community library, studied old science textbooks, and taught himself English so that he could build a windmill. Those around him thought he was crazy as he turned junkyard scraps into a working windmill that brought electricity to his home and water to his village. The stunning oil paint and cut paper illustrations, which are inspired by African artisan paintings, inform and entertain in this uplifting and inspiring true story about a family banding together to overcome adversity and a young boy becoming a man of science. An author’s note provides a photograph and more information on Kamkwamba’s “Green Machine.” He is a recent graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and hopes to return to Malawi to work on renewable energy. This is the picture book edition of the original adult book and the 2015 middle grade edition of the same title. mjw
Title: The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
Author: William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Illustrator
: Elizabeth Zunon
Publisher
: Dial Books for Young Readers, New York
Copyright
: 2012
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-8037-3511-8
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range
: 6-8
Genre
: Picture book, Biography
Book setting
: Malawi, Africa
Author’s ethnicity
: Malawi born
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Grew up on the Ivory Coast
Illustrator’s residence
: U.S.
Awards
: 2013 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Books, 2013 NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books
Subjects
: Ecology, Electric power production, English language learning, Famine, Hunger, Irrigation, Libraries, Mechanical engineers, Recycling, Self-empowerment, Windmills