Tag Archives: Friends

How The Squirrel Got His Stripes

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Long ago, King Rama was expelled from his father’s kingdom and sent to the forest with his faithful wife, princess Sita, and his loyal brother, Laxmanan. They lived there happily until King Ravana of Lanka tricked Sita. Rama then waged war on Ravana and set off to battle. They traveled until they came to a vast sea. Men and animals worked to complete a bridge. They clever black squirrels helped by covering themselves and their bushy tails with sand and dirt that they shook over the cracks in the bridge to fill the cracks. When the bridge was complete, Rama thanked the squirrels. As he stroked their dusty backs, their black fur beneath the dust was revealed and that is how the squirrels got their stripes. This tale is referred to in the Ramayana of India. The story emphasizes the dignity of labor and that even the smallest contribution is important in some way. The small-format book is enhanced by colorful folk-art illustrations inspired by miniature paintings of medieval Europe. mjw
Title: How The Squirrel Got His Stripes
Author: Sam Perera
Illustrator: Alex Stewart
Publisher: Popsicle Books, an imprint of Perera Hussein Publishing House, Sri Lanka
Copyright: 2015
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-955-0041-08-4
Paperback pages: 28
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book, Folktale
Book setting: Sri Lanka and India
Illustrator’s residence:  U.K. and Sri Lanka
Subjects: Bridges, Folktales, Ramayana, Squirrels, Monkeys

The Boy In The Striped Pajamas

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the-boy-in-the-striped-pajamasNine-year-old Bruno and his family leave Berlin in 1942 to take up residence near a concentration camp, where his father will be commandant. Unhappy and lonely, Bruno disobeys his parents and goes out exploring near his new home. He finds Shmuel, a Jewish boy, behind a barbed-wire fence. They become friends. They do not understand the true nature of the camp. Bruno wants to help Shmuel find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared. He sneaks into the camp, wearing a striped prisoners’’ outfit. The two boys are taken on a march with other inmates. Briuno’s family never sees Bruno again. This tenth anniversary edition of the book, told from Bruno’s point of view, features powerful illustrations. There is also a 2008 award-winning movie adaptation of this international bestseller. mjw
Title: The Boy In The Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 978-0-399-55931-0
Hardcover pages: 352
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Germany
Author’s ethnicity: Irish
Author’s residence: Dublin, Ireland
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Irish
Illustrator’s residence: New York
Subjects: Auschwitz, Concentration camp, Holocaust, Jews, Nazis, Poland, World War II

One Half From The East

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Ten-year-old Obayda’s father lost one of his legs in a bomb explosion and the family is in need of some good fortune. They move from Kabul to s small village. Obayda is dressed as a boy, a bacha posh. This is a longstanding tradition in Afghanistan. Families without a son designate a preteen daughter to fill the void with a simple physical transformation involving swapping clothes and cutting hair. Before she reaches puberty, she is changed back and resumes life as a girl, a gender that enjoys far less freedom and privilege. Obayda becomes Obayd and everything changes. She meets Rashim, another bacha posh. They become friends, explore the village, and play sports, but there is no forever as a bacha posh. This heart-stirring and enlightening coming-of-age story includes an author’s note. mjw
Title: One Half From The East
Author: Nadia Hashimi
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English 
ISBN: 978-0-06-242190-6
Hardcover pages: 272
Age range: 8-12
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Afghanistan
Author’s ethnicity: Afghan
Author’s residence: U.S.
Awards: 2017 South Asia Book Award Highly Commended
Subjects: Bacha posh, Child marriage, Gender, Prejudice and racism, Self-esteem and self-reliance

Birthdays Around The World

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Birthday celebrations of seventeen kids from around the world are shared in this fun information book. Shinobu from Japan dresses in a kimono. Mercedes in Peru eats cake and purple pudding called mazamorra morada. Alana and Kainoa have a luau in Hawaii. And Dimitry in Russia eats blini with caviar and dumplings. A note to parents and teachers gives activities for children, like locating the countries mentioned on a map, sending cards, and making a birthday paper chain. A glossary is included. The author has also written Children Around the World, Families Around the World, and School Days Around the World. mjw
Title: Birthdays Around The World
Author: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrator: Ashley Barron
Publisher: Kids Can Press.  Toronto, Canada
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-77138-624-1
Hardcover pages: 40
Age range: 3-7
Genre: Picture Book, Information Book
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: British Columbia
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto, Ontario
Subjects: Birthdays, Celebrations

In A Cloud Of Dust

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in-a-cloud-of-dustAnna lives in a Tanzanian village, where she has a long walk to the schoolhouse. She has a hard time doing homework because it is dark when she gets home from school. One day, she misses the visit of the bicycle library truck. In her village, bicycles are expensive and many families cannot afford them. At a bicycle library, a child can sign out a bike just like we sign out books at our libraries. Anna hides her disappointment of not getting a bike by helping her classmates steer and balance their bikes. A friend gives Anna a bicycle when he gets to his house because she has farther to go. Anna then rides home and kicks up her own cloud of dust. Glowing oil painting in golds and oranges spotlight the simple, uplifting story about sharing. An author’s note highlights more information about bicycle libraries and organizations that distribute bikes to Africa and other developing countries. mjw
Title:  In A Cloud Of Dust
Author: Alma Fullerton
Illustrator: Brian Deines
Publisher: Pajama Press.  Toronto
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 1-978-1-927485-62-0
Paperback pages: 32
Age range: 4-8
Genre: Picture Book
Book setting: Tanzania
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Ontario
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence: Toronto
Subjects: Bicycles, Friendship, Libraries, School children, Tanzania

The Last Tree

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the-last-treeA small boy lives in a concrete city without grass or trees. One day, he and a friend discover a tiny sapling growing behind a wall. He dreams about the tree growing huge and majestic. But the next day, the front page of the newspaper reads “247-Floor Luxury Condo! Construction to start this week.” He and his friend know they have to dig up the sapling and replant it in a safe place to make sure the last tree survives. This powerful environmental message is further conveyed by artwork rendered in charcoal, gravure ink, gouache, pencil, and digitally. mjw
Title: The Last Tree
Author: Ingrid Chabbert
Illustrator: Guridi
Publisher: Kids Can Press. Toronto
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: French
Original Title: Le dernier arbre
Original Publisher: Editions Fri Mousse
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-1-77138-728-6
Hardcover pages: 36
Age range: 4-7
Genre: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: French
Author’s residence: France
Illustrator’s ethnicity: Spanish
Illustrator’s residence: Spain
Subjects: City life, Environment, Trees

The Ballad Of A Broken Nose

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The Ballad of a Broken NoseThirteen-year-old Bart Norum has had a hard life. He lives in public housing with his alcoholic mother, his neighbors are drug addicts, and he doesn’t know who is father is. He takes up boxing so that he can protect himself, but his real love is opera. His friend Ada, who cannot keep a secret, lets his classmates and teacher know about his passion and they want him to sing in the class talent show. But Bart suffers from paralyzing stage fright. Bart is an optimist and he tells his story about bravery, fear, sports, and music in a funny and matter-of-fact style. An interesting note is that Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel is Bart’s idol. mjw
Title: The Ballad Of A Broken Nose
Author: Arne Svingen
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, New York
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: Norwegian
Translator: Kari Dickson
Original Title: Sangen om en Brukkt Nese
Original Publisher: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag
Original Copyright: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4814-1542-2
Hardcover pages: 224
Age range: 10-12
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Norway
Author’s ethnicity: Norwegian
Author’s residence: Norway
Awards: 2017 Mildred L. Batchelder Award, Norwegian Ministry of Culture’s Best Young Adult Literature Prize
Subjects: Boxing, Bullies, Drugs, Friendship, Music, Opera, Talent shows

The Sun Is Also A Star

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Natasha has hours left before she is deported to Jamaica. The logical aspiring scientist believes in facts and refuses to fall in love with someone she just met. Dreamer Daniel, who lives under the pressure of pleasing his Korean parents, believes Natasha is the one. That fate has made several events fall into place for them to meet.  With all of the possible futures there are, will their one day in New York City lead to a future together? Yoon’s multiple points of view in narration brings to light a variety of perspectives and emotions of the human experience. ema

 

Title: The Sun Is Also A Star
Author: Nicola Yoon
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Copyright: 2016
Original Language: English
Original Copyright: 2016
ISBN: 978-0553496680
Hardcover pages: 384
Age range: 14 and up
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Fiction
Authors’ ethnicity: American, Jamaican 
Authors’ residence: Los Angeles
Awards: National Book Award finalist, Michael L. Printz Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner
Subjects: Immigration, Jamaican, Love, Multiple POVs, Poetry, Racism, Science, South Korean

 

The Wise Fool: Fables From The Islamic World

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Twenty-two lively tales introduce Mulla Nasruddin, one of the most loved characters in the Muslim world. Also known as Khoja, he is amusing and unusually wise. The mixed media illustrations tap into the architecture, pottery, fabric, colors, landscapes, and peoples of the rich Islamic culture. An introduction sets the scene for the tales. Also included are an illustrator’s note, a glossary, a pronunciation guide, and a list of sources. mjw
Title: The Wise Fool: Fables From The Islamic World
Author: Shahrukh Husain
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Publisher: Barefoot Books. Cambridge, MA
Copyright: 2011
ISBN: 978-1-78285-255-1
Paperback pages: 64
Age range: 8-11
Genre: Picture Book, Folktales
Author’s ethnicity: Born in Pakistan
Author’s residence: London
Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S.
Illustrator’s residence: U.S.
Subjects: Folktales, fairytales, and myths; Humor; Islamic civilization; Multicultural

The Pearl Thief

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This pre-war, prequel to Elizabeth Wein’s award- winning Code Name Verity tells the story of fifteen-year-old Julie before she becomes Verity. After her grandfather dies, leaving the family in debt, they are forced to sell the estate. Julie returns home to the estate for a last visit, finds herself with a bump on her head, and a mystery to solve. There is a fascinating cast of characters, including two young Scottish Travellers whose family has been camping on her grandfather’s land. This multi-layered coming of age story does stand alone, though it would be valuable for fans of Verity. A map and an author’s note are included. mjw
Title: The Pearl Thief
Author: Elizabeth Wein
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: English 
ISBN: 978-1484717165
Hardcover pages: 336
Age range: 12 up
Genre: Historical fiction
Book setting: Scotland
Author’s residence: Scotland
Subjects: Investigations, Missing persons, Murder, Mystery, Nomadic people, Prejudices, Scottish Travellers, Scotland – history

Bruno: Some Of The More Interesting Days In My Life So Far

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brunoBruno, the cat with the checkered cap, takes his life as it comes. Six interconnected funny stories each tell about a day in Bruno’s life. On a rainy day, he rustles up a breakfast picnic. On a day when the power goes out, he lights candles. When he meets a red fish swimming in the air, he follows it. The colorful cartoon illustrations add humor to these silly stories. mjw
Title: Bruno: Some Of The More Interesting Days In My Life So Far
Author: Catharina Valckx
Illustrator: Nicolas Hubesch
Publisher: Gecko Press.  New Zealand
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: French
Translator: Antony Shugaar
Original Title: Bruno: Quelques jour de ma vie très interessante
Original Publisher: L’ecole de Loisirs.  Paris
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-1-77657-124-6
Hardcover pages: 96
Age range: 6-10
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel
Author’s ethnicity: Dutch
Author’s residence: Amsterdam
Illustrator’s ethnicity: French
Illustrator’s residence: Paris
Awards: Author has been nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
Subjects: Birds, Cats, Fish, Horses, Humor, Short stories

Karma

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1aawordfestostlere1.jpgFifteen-year-old Maya is traveling with her Sikh father to bring her Hindu mother’s ashes to India. Arriving in 1984 on the eve of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination she is thrust into an India full of fear and chaos. She manages to escape the worst of the riots in Delhi but is separated from her father and must rely on others to help her navigate the dangers of India in 1984. Maya finds a companion in Sandeep a mysterious young man who helps her face an uncertain future. Written in verse, this fast paced historical fiction novel shows the harsh reality of Indian life in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination along with the troubles a young woman could have faced being alone in India. Ostlere shows the danger of the time but also honors the vibrancy of India through realistic details such as, warm chai being sold on the street, that will transport the reader directly into Indian culture. amo
Title: Karma
Author: Cathy Ostlere
Publisher: Razor Bill 
Copyright: 2011
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-59514-384-6
Paperback pages: 534
Age range: 13 and up
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book setting: Canada, India
Author’s ethnicity: Canadian
Author’s residence: Calgary, Canada
Awards: R. Ross Annett Children’s Award
Subjects: Assassination, Family, India, Love, Riots