Tag Archives: Food

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

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

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

Lucky Broken Girl

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Fifth-grader Cuban-Jewish Ruthie and her family emigrated from Cuba to New York. Because she doesn’t speak English, she is placed in the “dumb” class at school. She works hard and is finally promoted to the “smart” class, but her dreams are derailed by a terrible car accident and a broken leg that leave her in a body cast for most of 1966 and 1967. While she is recovering, she is cared for by her mother, visited by her tutor from school, and befriended by her new Mexican neighbor who inspires her with stories of the artist, Frida Kahlo. Ruthie has a tough time overcoming cultural differences and her injury, but her strength, resilience, and hope help her grow and flourish. The book is based on the author’s own experience. mjw

Title: Lucky Broken Girl Author: Ruth Behar Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Reader Group Copyright: 2017 Original Language:  English ISBN: 978-0-399546-44-0 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Queens, New York Author’s ethnicity: Born in Havana, Cuba Author’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2018 Pura Belpre Honor Subjects: Accidents, Broken bones, Drawing and painting, Growing up, Health, Hispanic and Latino

Book Uncle And Me

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Since energetic Yasmin turned eight, she vowed, “to read one book everyday. Every single day, forever.” She’s already up to more than 400, thanks to Book Uncle’s street-corner lending library. His street sign invites “Books. Free. Give One. Take one. Read-read-read.” Book Uncle is a retired teacher who always has the “right book for the right person for the right day.” When an order from the mayor threatens to have the lending library shut down and a mayoral election is on the horizon, Yasmin convinces all her friends, family, and neighbors to write letters to the mayoral candidates. Her campaign succeeds in making the voices of her community heard and Book Uncle is allowed to re-open his library. This universal story about the power of reading and grassroots activism offers insights into Indian culture and daily life, including the istri lady, who irons for customers, and descriptions of tasty coconut puttu. Expressive pencil drawings are sprinkled throughout the text. mjw

Title: Book Uncle And Me Author: Uma Krishnaswami Illustrator: Julianna Swaney Publisher: Groundwood Books.  House of Anansi Press. Toronto Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Scholastic India, Pvt. Ltd. Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-55498-808-2 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Fiction Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: Victoria, British Columbia Illustrator’s residence: Portland, Oregon Awards: Scholastic Asian Book Award Subjects: Books, Community activism Elections, Karate, Libraries, Mayors, People and places – Asia

Finders Keepers? A True Story In India

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This introduction to the traditions, daily life, and culture of India takes readers on a bus journey through the Rajasthan countryside. The narrator describes how, when he lost his wallet, a young boy returned it and refused to accept a reward for his honesty. Terms like chapatis, saris, torans, and more are smoothly integrated into the text. A map sets the scene for the journey. Back matter includes a glossary, pronunciations, Indian facts, character building questions, and a craft activity to make a paper toran. The book is available in a Spanish edition, Es Mio? mjw

Title: Finders Keepers? A True Story In India Author: Robert Arnett Illustrator: Smita Turakhia Publisher: Atman Press Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-96529008-1 Hardcover pages: 34 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: Columbus, Georgia.  U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: born in Mumbai, India Illustrator’s residence: Texas Subjects: Character building, Culture, Hinduism, Religion, Values

Sea Change

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Twelve-year-old Eliot Dionisi’s parents send him to Point Aconi in Nova Scotia for the summer. He is not looking forward to spending time with his wrinkly old relatives who smell like fish. At first, it is not easy for him to fit in. He is pushed out of his comfort zone. But as the summer wears on, Eliot learns to fish, swim, and eat lobster. He discovers his great grandmother’s library, picks blueberries, enjoys a clambake, and even has his first kiss. He makes friends, deals with the local bully, and helps Mary Beth, his crush, with a secret. This warm and funny coming-of-age story is illustrated with artwork drawn in pencil and India ink and colored digitally. Some of the text is also transformed into unconventional illustrations. mjw

Title: Sea Change Author: Frank Viva Illustrator: Frank Viva Publisher: Tundra Books, a division of Random House of Canada Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-101-91852-4 Hardcover pages: 120 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel Book setting: Point Aconi, Nova Scotia Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto Subjects: Abuse, Canada, Coming of age, Fishing, Growing up, Multigenerational, Nova Scotia, Summer

Chirri And Chirra

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Two young identical twin girls go on a bicycle ride through the natural world. They stop at the forest café for acorn coffee and clover blossom tea. Their next stop is the forest bakery, where they meet a bear and a rabbit, and have mulberry and strawberry jam sandwiches on honey bread and walnut bread. After lunch, they play in a nearby pond and nap under a big tree. Then, they move on to the forest hotel, where there is a concert with all the animals singing. “What a wonderful night in the forest!” Lively, adorable, and sweet colored pencil, pastel, and crayon illustrations look like mid-20th century lithographs. mjw

Title: Chirri And Chirra Author: Kaya Doi Illustrator: Kaya Doi Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books, New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: Japanese Translator: Yuki Kaneko Original Publisher: Arranged with Alice-Kan, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-59270-199-5 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 3-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Japan Subjects: Bicycle rides, Forest, Music

Somewhere Among

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Set in 2001, eleven-year-old American-Japanese Ema has moved in with her grandparents in Tokyo because of her mother’s difficult pregnancy. Fitting in is difficult – she is a “foreigner.” In free verse, Ema describes her life and concerns. Her Papa is away at work too much. Obaachan (her grandmother) is stern and domineering. Jiichan (her grandfather) is sweet, but fragile. Japanese school is a challenge. And she worries about her soon-to-be Little Sister. The story is about connectedness, as Ema is stuck between two worlds and two cultures. Viewing the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers from Japan is especially intriguing. The author’s very extensive website gives information about the history, holidays, anniversaries, and tragedies Japan and America share that are woven throughout the story. Also included are the author’s inspiration, photos, a story playlist, and peace education opportunities and programs. mjw

Title: Somewhere Among Author: Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English   ISBN: 978-1-4814-3786-8 Hardcover pages: 448 Age range: 9-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Verse Book setting: Tokyo, Japan Author’s ethnicity: Japan Author’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Asia, Asian-Americans, Belonging, Japan, Grandmothers, New baby, Novels in verse, Peace ,Pregnancy, Racially mixed people, September 11 Terrorist Attacks – 2001

Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey Of A Mouse To The Moon

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In the mid 1950s, a dreamer/inventor mouse has his sights set on the moon. His mouse friends insist the moon is made of cheese, but he knows better. He experiments unsuccessfully with a catapult, a space capsule made from a clock, and a vessel with a firecracker attached to a roller skate. Eventually, he creates a space suit with an ink bottle helmet and constructs a multi-stage tin can craft that carries him into space and on to a lunar landing. He gathers a moon rock and plants a tiny flag. He returns and is acclaimed by his mouse peers. Precisely rendered, lavish illustrations in watercolor and pencil make the book a work of art. The book ends with a brief nonfiction history of space travel from Galileo’s observations about the moon to the July 1969 Apollo moon landing. Our hero gets encouragement from an elderly mouse at the Smithsonian, who is Charles Lindbergh from Kuhlmann’s companion book, Lindbergh: The Tale of A Flying Mouse.  mjw

Title: Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey Of A Mouse To The Moon Author: Torben Kuhlmann Illustrator: Torben Kuhlmann Publisher: NorthSouth Books, Inc.  New York Copyright: 2016 Original Language: German Translator: David Henry Wilson Original Title: Armstrong: Die Abenteueliche Reise einer Maus zum Mond Original Publisher: NordSud Verlag AG Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-0-7358-4262-5 Hardcover pages: 128 Age range: 4-12 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: New York, Washington DC Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Illustrator’s ethnicity: German Illustrator’s residence: Germany Subjects: Armstrong, Neil: Mice; Moon; Space flight

Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings

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Congratulations – Mabrook! This colorful picture book looks at Muslim wedding ceremonies all over the world. In Pakistan, there is a henna party and the groom rides in on a great white horse. In Morocco, guests feast for days and days and days. In Great Britain, the party wears hijabs, kilts, and kurtas. Although Muslims celebrate in different ways all around the world, they all share the same ceremonies and religious rites. They join two hearts and begin a new journey. The acrylic and collage illustrations bring the weddings and the different communities to life. A note about Muslim weddings and a glossary complete the celebration. mjw

Title: Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings Author: Na’ima B. Robert Illustrator: Shirin Adl Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books. London Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-84780-588-1 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Great Britain, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia Author’s ethnicity: Scottish/Zulu Author’s residence: London and Cairo Illustrator’s ethnicity: Born in U.K., brought up in Iran Illustrator’s residence: Oxford, England Subjects: Holidays and celebrations, Islam. Marriage, Religion. Weddings

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel

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It’s 1978, and sixth grader Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh, who was born in Abadan, Iran, has just moved to Newport Beach, California. Her fitting in is very difficult because of the protests, revolution, and the taking of the U.S. hostages in Iran. Her father loses his job as an engineer at an oil refinery and Cindy has to face hostile prejudice at school and in her neighborhood. Humorous asides will keep readers engaged as Cindy finds new friends after moving, deals with family issues, and discovers her middle school self. Each short chapter has a clever title and the final author’s note suggests documentaries and websites with more information about the historical and cultural facts of this semi-autobiographical novel. mjw

Title: It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel Author: Firoozeh Dumas Publisher: Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-544-61231-0 Hardcover pages: 384 Age range: 10-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting:  Southern California, U.S. Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: Munich, Germany Subjects: Emigration and immigration, Friendship, Humorous stories, Iran, Iran Hostage Crisis (1979-1981), Iranian-Americans, Middle East, Muslim-Americans. Prejudice and racism, Social issues – adolescence, United States history – 20th century