Tag Archives: Friends

Sea Change

Sea ChangeTwelve-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

The New Teacher

The New TeacherMiss Charlotte, the new teacher, is not like the others. She talks to a rock, has the class measure the room with cooked spaghetti, and tells captivating stories about a gorilla. Her students are convinced that she is crazy, but she makes learning fun and inspires them to think. However, not everyone approves of her methods. This modern-day Mary Poppins story is illustrated with quirky line drawings by Tony Ross. This is the first book in the Mademoiselle Charlotte series, which recounts the misadventures of the eccentric Mademoiselle in a variety of professions. mjw
Title: The New Teacher
Author: Dominique Demers
Illustrator
: Tony Ross
Publisher
: Alma Books, Ltd.
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: French
Translator
: Sander Berg
Original Title
: La Nouvelle Maitress
Original Publisher
: Editiones Quebec Amérique
Original Copyright
: 1994
ISBN
: 978-1-84688-399-6
Paperback pages
: 78
Age range
: 7-9
Genre
: Fiction
Author’s ethnicity
: French Canadian
Author’s residence
: Montreal
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: British
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: Illustrator was a 2004 Hans Christian Andersen nominee, 1968 Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis
Subjects
: Schools, Teachers

The Emergency Zoo

The Emergency ZooIt is the week before World War II in 1939 in England, and twelve-year-olds Rosy and Tilly try to outwit their families and the authorities by hiding their pets in a run-down hut in the woods. Other children bring their pets – rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and more, and the emergency zoo grows to be a real challenge for the girls. An added problem is that all the children are about to be evacuated to the countryside for safety. The story is inspired by the unspeakable and little known episode in British history when pets were to be destroyed because it was believed that the animals could not cope with bombs and gas and that, with rationing, there would not be enough food for them. Told from the viewpoint of children, this is a moving novel about courage, resourcefulness, and animal welfare. An author’s note gives historical background and explains that organizations such as the Dumb Animal League tried to save as many pets as possible. It is estimated that around 750,000 pets were destroyed in Britain. mjw
Title: The Emergency Zoo
Author: Miriam Halahmy
Publisher
: Alma Books.  Surry, U.K.
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-84688-397-2
Paperback pages
: 254
Age range
: 12 up
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: England
Author’s residence
: London, England
Subjects
: England, Evacuation, Pets, World War II, Zoo animals

Teacup

teacupThis picture book is a simplistically beautiful tale about a boy who journeys to find a new home on a boat with a teacup that is filled with dirt. The gorgeous illustrations effectively reflect the various colors, light, and perspectives of the environments. Every page includes lovely views of the sky, water, ocean, and the various creatures that inhabit them. The book is a wonderful story about a voyage full of personal growth, perseverance, hope, and the promise of a friendship. Readers of all ages and backgrounds will find this story resonating. ema

 

 

Title: Teacup
Author: Rebecca Young
Illustrator
: Matt Ottley
Publisher
: Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher: Scholastic Australia
Original Copyright: 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2777-4
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range: 4-8
Genre
: Fiction Picture Book
Authors’ ethnicity: Australian
Authors’ residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Australian
Illustrator’s residence
: New South Wales, Australia
Awards: 2016 Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature, and the 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Award
Subjects: Journeys, Oceans, Sailing, Trees

The Story Of Hurry

7S-Hurry_cover_final_1024x1024.jpgA loveable donkey named Hurry lives in the Gaza Strip during 2008. He sees that the children around him are struggling and he tries to help cheer them up with rides on his back. Based on the true story of the Happy Land Zoo in the Gaza Strip, Hurry is taken in by a creative zookeeper who had lost his animals due to hunger or injury. Hurry is the solution to the lack of zebras when he is reintroduced to the community with black and white stripes. With an informative historical note at the end, this story shows the resilience of our human spirit. amo
Title: The Story Of Hurry
Author: Emma Williams
Illustrator
: Ibrahim Quraishi
Publisher
: Seven Stories Press
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-60980-589-0
Hardcover pages
: 36
Age range
: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Book setting
: Gaza Strip
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: New York City
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Kenyan
Illustrator’s residence
: Amsterdam
Subjects
: Animals, Donkeys, Gaza Strip, Zoos

Somewhere Among

Somwhere AmongSet 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

Between Shades Of Gray


Between Shades Of Gray
Fifteen-year-old Lina’s life takes a drastic turn when the Soviet Secret Police force her out of her home. Lina, her mother, and her younger brother Jonas are treated like criminals and dragged onto a train to Siberia. Along the journey, Lina leaves behind hints for her father in the form of her drawings. This account of the tragedies and  horrors Lithuanians and others experienced during Stalin’s rule in Word War II is filled with hope, love, and compassion. Readers can look forward to the upcoming movie adaptation of the novel called Ashes In The Snow.  ema

 

 

 

 

Title: Between Shades Of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright: 2012
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright:  2011
ISBN
: 978-0-14-242059-1
Paperback pages: 384
Age range
: 14 up
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Lithuania and Siberia
Author’s ethnicity
: American
Author’s residence: Tennessee
Awards: 2011 Prix-RTL LIRE Award for Best Novel for Young People, 2012 Golden Kite Award, An ALA Notable, A Carnegie Medal Nominee, and A New York Times Notable
Subjects
: Drawings, Letters, Lithuania, Paintings, Prison Camps, Siberia, Soviet Union, World War II

Night Guard

Night GuardVarious family members, particularly a young child, explore friendship, fear, love, loneliness, and the world around them in this sensitive poetry collection. The surrealistic illustrations are striking and haunting. They interact with the words, but do not say the same thing. Readers will ponder, be soothed, and smile, when they peruse this book. mjw
Title: Night Guard
Author: Synne Lea
Illustrator
: Stian Hole
Publisher
: Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: Norwegian
Translator
: John Irons
Original Title
: Nattevakt
Original Publisher
: Cappelen Damm. Oslo, Norway
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-0-8028-5458-2
Hardcover pages
: 82
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Illustrated poetry
Author’s ethnicity
: Norwegian
Author’s residence
: Norway
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Norwegian
Illustrator’s residence
: Norway
Subjects
: Bedtime, Dreams, Emotions, Families, Fear, Feelings, Friendship. Loneliness, Social issues

Mabrook!: A World Of Muslim Weddings

MabrookCongratulations – 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

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child: Parts One And Two, Special Rehearsal Edition Script

Harry PotterBased on a story by J.K. Rowling, this play is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series. The play received its world premier in London’s West End on July 30, 2016. It is nineteen years after Voldemort’s death in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows and Harry is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic and the father of three school-age children. The story follows his younger son Albus Severus Potter as he struggles with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. The book sold over 2 million copies in the first two days of release. mjw
Title: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child: Parts One and Two, Special Rehearsal Edition Script
Author: J.K.Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne
Publisher
: Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-338-09913-3
Hardcover pages
: 320
Age range
: 8 up
Genre
: Fiction, Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: British (Rowling)
Author’s residence
: Scotland (Rowling)
Awards
: OBE Order of the British Empire
Subjects
: Fantasy, Good and evil, Harry Potter, Magic, Wizardry

It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel

It ain't so Awful FalafelIt’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

999 Frogs and a Little Brother

22493744999 tadpoles are growing together in a big, big pond. One tadpole isn’t growing quite so fast and gets left behind all alone. Fortunately he finds a friend in a small crayfish who thinks the small frog is his big brother. A strong bond is formed until the mother crayfish comes to take little brother away, but their friendship is not forgotten when a big snake comes to the lake. This vividly colored picture book will teach readers to “never underestimate the size of true friendship!”  amo
Title: 999 Frogs and a Little Brother
Author: Ken Kimura
Illustrator
: Yasunari Murakami
Publisher
: North South 
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Japanese 
Translator
: Japan Foreign-Rights Center
Original Title
:999-hiki no kyodai no Otouto
Original Publisher
: Child Honsha Co., Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-0-7358-4202-1
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 4-8
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Japan
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Japan 
Subjects
: Crayfish, Friendship, Frogs, Ponds