Tag Archives: Friends

The Wolf Wilder

the wolf wilderTwelve-year-old Feodora, Feo for short, lives in the snowy woods of Russia with her mother. They are wolf wilders. They take wolves that were bought as pups by St. Petersburg aristocrats and abandoned; teach the wolves to hunt, fight, and distrust humans; and then release them back into the wild. Feo’s house was burned and her mother was attacked and captured by the Russian Army. Accompanied by three loyal wolves, Ilya, a sensitive, lost young soldier who loves ballet, and Alexei, a 15-year-old agitator from a nearby village, Feo sets off into the ice and snow of the woods on a journey to rescue her mother. Set near the end of Tsar Nicholas II’s reign, the story combines history with fairytale, and suggests the hope of the Revolution. Feo is a feisty and beautiful heroine, who stands for everything that is right. This captivating book begins with a note on wolf wilders (which the author made up). mjw
Title: The Wolf Wilder
Author: Katherine Rundell
Publisher
: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York
Copyright
: 2105
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing, London
Original Copyright
: 2015
ISBN
: 978-1-4814-1942-0
Hardcover pages
: 240
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: Russia
Author’s Ethnicity:
Grew up in Zimbabwe, Brussels, and London
Author’s residence
: Oxford, England
Subjects
: Ballet, Bravery, Fairytales, Fantasy, Mothers and daughters, Russia – history – Nicholas II, 1894-1917, Russian Revolution, Survival, Wolves

Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear

Kuma Kuma Chan The Little BearA young child narrates how his friend Kuma-Kuma Chan uses his time during the day. The simplistically charming text and illustrations evoke a meditative feeling of the story. The narrator describes the activities the adorable bear does, such as doing his daily chores, participating in seasonal activities,  writing letters, and composing a love song. The short sentences make it easy for young readers to follow. They will be able to imagine the type of tasks Kuma-Kuma Chan, as the narrator, describes how the little bear spends his day. ema
Title: Kuma-Kuma Chan, The Little Bear
Author: Kazue Takahashi
Illustrator
: Kazue Takahashi
Publisher
: Museyon
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Japanese
Translator
: Poplar Publishing
Original Title
: Kuma-Kuma Chan
Original Publisher
: Poplar Publishing
Original Copyright
: 2001
ISBN
: 978-1-940842-01-1
Hardcover pages
: 52
Age range: 3-5
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Japanese
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Japanese
Subjects: Activities, Bears, Days, Imagination, Seasons

Harry Miller’s Run

Harry Milllers runEleven-year-old Liam is an enthusiastic runner who, with his mates, has entered his first Junior Great North Run. He visits an elderly neighbor, Harry Miller, who is about to move into a nursing home and who his mum helps to look after. Harry tells that he ran the thirteen-mile race from Newcastle to the sea at South Shields when he was a lad in 1938. This touching and uplifting story about friendship is illustrated with detailed black and white drawings. The Great North Run is an actual English athletic event. mjw
Title: Harry Miller’s Run
Author: David Almond
Illustrator
: Salvatore Rubbino
Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd., London
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original copyright:
2008
ISBN
: 978-1-4063-6224-4
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range
: 7 up
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: British
Author’s residence
: Northumberland, England
Illustrator’s residence
: London
Awards
: Author has won 2010 Hans Christian Andersen Medal
Subjects
: Friendship, Marathon running, Reminiscing in old age, Running

The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can

The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a CanThis book is based on the author’s true story. As a young girl, she dreamed of going to school. It was a challenge for her to achieve her dream because in her country Rhodesia, current Zimbabwe, girls do not receive any formal education. This picture book is filled with watercolor illustrations and moving text that describes how she achieved her dream of earning three degrees. The author  shares her talents as an educator and humanitarian with her village and other communities around the world.  ema
Title: The Girl Who Buried Her Dreams In A Can
Author: Dr. Tererai Trent
Illustrator
: Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Publisher
: Penguin
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN: 978-0-670-01654-9
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range: 6-8
Genre
: Nonfiction Picture Book
Book setting
: Zimbabwe
Author’s ethnicity
: Zimbabwean
Author’s residence
: Zimbabwe and California
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: African American
Illustrator’s residence
: Chicago
Subjects: Africa, Communities, Girls Education, Dreams, Education, Villages

An Island Of Our Own

an island of our ownSiblings, seventeen-year-old Jonathan, ten-year-old Holly, and six-year-old Davy have to look after themselves since their mum died. Jonathan has turned down his place at university to work in a café to care for Holly and Davy. Their wealthy and eccentric Aunt Irene passes away and leaves them some photographs that might lead to an inheritance, and Holly is determined to find the hidden treasure. On their quest, using the modern technology of a Maker Space to find clues, they meet a wide variety of people and travel across England and Scotland. Holly, who narrates the story, is optimistic and spunky. Jonathan is strong, nerdy, and cool. References to Dr. Who, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and The Chronicles of Narnia; short chapters; and likeable characters help make this contemporary adventure about the strength of family and kindness of others a lot of fun. mjw
Title: An Island Of Out Own
Author: Sally Nicholls
Publisher
: Scholastic Children’s Books
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1407-12433-9
Paperback pages
: 240
Age range
: 11up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: England, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: Oxford, UK
Awards
: 2015 IBW Children’s Fiction Award, 2015 Guardian Children’s Fiction Longlist
Subjects:  Brothers and sisters, Discovery, Humor, Maker spaces, Mysteries, Photographs, Technology

The Stone Lion

stone-lionA stone lion watches people outside of a library every day. Though he is made of stone, he is fascinated by the people who sit next to him. The lion longs for the chance to become a warm breathing creature and run in the park near the library. One snowy night a homeless girl and her baby brother sit next to the lion. More than anything the lion wishes he could come alive to help them. This heartwarming story, illustrated with soft pastels, shows that though there are hardships, a little bit of kindness and compassion can change lives. ema

 

Title: The Stone Lion
Author: Margaret Wild
Illustrator
: Rita Voutila
Publisher
: Little Hare
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Title
: The Stone Lion
Original Publisher
: Little Hare
Original Copyright
: 2014
ISBN
: 978-1-921894855
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range: 5-9
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity
: Australian
Author’s residence
: Australia
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Finnish
Illustrator’s residence
: Australia
Awards: 2015 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Honour Book of the Year
Subjects: Depression-era, Homeless, Libraries, Lions, Reading

The Green Bicycle

The Green bicycleOne of Saudi Arabia’s best-known and most controversial filmmakers has adapted her very successful film Wadjda for middle grade readers. Rebellious, 11-year-old Wadjda lives with her strict parents in modern day Riyadh and dreams of owning the green bicycle that she passes in a store everyday on her way to school.   She wants to race her friend Abdullah, but riding bikes is frowned upon for girls and Wadjda’s parents refuse to buy the bike for her. Wadjda tries to raise the money buy selling bracelets and mixtapes that she makes. Fiercely independent, she doesn’t fit in at school, gets into a lot of trouble, and risks expulsion. She eventually enters a Quran competition in order to win the prize money and purchase the bike. She wins, but the school chooses to donate the money to Palestine on her behalf. She returns home to find that her mother has bought the bike and Wadjda then wins the race against Abdullah. Explanations of various elements of Saudi culture and its patriarchal society are woven into the story and provide helpful background for readers unfamiliar with the region. The film Wadjda (2012) was the first full-length feature to be shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and through 2013, the only feature-length film made in Saudi Arabia by a female director. The film has won numerous awards around the world. mjw
Title: The Green Bicycle
Author: Haifaa Al Mansour
Publisher
: Dial Books for Young Readers
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0525-42806-0
Hardcover pages
: 352
Age range
: 8 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Author’s ethnicity
: Saudi Arabian
Author’s residence
: Bahrain
Awards
: The film Wadjda (2012) won the 2013 Best International Feature Audience Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival
Subjects
: Bicycles and bicycling, Coming of Age, Female empowerment, Gender roles, Girls and women, Koran, Middle East, Music, Muslims, Quran, Sex roles,

The Tea Party In The Woods

The Tea Party In The WoodsKikko’s father forgot the pie he was going to bring to Grandmother’s house. Kikko runs through the snow-covered woods to give her father the pie before he reaches the home. Unfortunately, Kikko trips and ruins the pie. Although she is dispirited, she still plans on giving her grandmother the pie. As she continues to follow what she believes to be her father’s footprints, Kikko comes across a house she has never seen before. She meets speaking, clothed, and upright woodland creatures who invite her to their tea party. The mostly black and white charcoaled and penciled illustrations have touches of color and bring this enchanting tale of unexpected friendship and kindness to life.  ema
Title: The Tea Party In The Woods
Author: Akiko Miyakoshi
Illustrator
: Akiko Miyakoshi
Publisher
: Kids Can Press
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Japanese
Translator
: Kids Can Press
Original Title
: Mori no Oku no Ochakai e
Original Publisher
: Kaisei-Sha Publishing Co. Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2010
ISBN
: 978-1-77138-107-9
Hardcover pages
: 32
Age range: 3-7
Genre
: Picture Book
Author’s ethnicity: Japanese
Author’s residence
: Tokyo
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Japanese
Illustrator’s residence
: Tokyo
Awards: A 2015 Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year Winner
Subjects: Acts of kindness, Grandmother, Party, Pies, Tea, Winter, Woods

A Pig Called Heather

a pig called heatherHeather, the Duroc pig, lives on a lovely 300-year-old farm in Scotland, loves and can identify apples of all kinds, and has Isla, the farmer’s daughter, as her best friend. When the barn is destroyed in a fire and Isla and her father move to London, the new owner, Mr. Busby, has a commercial promoting farm life shot at the farm and Heather is “discovered.” She is whisked off to London to become a national celebrity and the star of an advertising campaign. At a photo shoot, Heather escapes and finds Isla. A pig living in a flat in London proves challenging and Heather ends up finding a home in the London Zoo. Heather’s animal friends are brilliant, perfectly personified, and completely believable. However they don’t talk to humans. Heather and Isla communicate by snout scrunching. The writing is imaginative, fast-paced, and contains fun Britishisms. The ending hints at the two sequels, The Return of A Pig Called Heather (paperback 2014) and Heather’s Piglets (2015), where Heather has more zany adventures. mjw
Title: A Pig Called Heather
Author: Harry Oulton
Publisher
: Holiday House, New York
Copyright
: 2105
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-8234-3290-5
Hardcover pages
: 128
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction, Animal Fantasy
Book setting
: Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  London
Author’s ethnicity
: British
Author’s residence
: England
Subjects
: England, Farm life, Human-animal relationships, Pigs, Voyages and travels

Salt To The Sea

Salt To The SeaAs World War II comes to a close in the winter of 1945, refugees flee East Prussia as the Soviet Union advances in the area. Thousands gather at the coast of the Baltic Sea in the hopes of gaining freedom and security by obtaining a ticket on one of the ships. One of these vessels is the Wilhelm Gustloff. Sepetys’ courageous novel sheds light on the greatest tragedy in maritime history and how the carnage resulting from warfare collides with the lives of innocents. Though readers can find the story heartbreaking at times, hope and life are ever present in this novel told by four teenagers from different countries. The honest prose gives voice to those incapable of sharing their story. ema

 


Title: Salt To The Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher
: Philomel Books
Copyright
: 2016
ISBN: 978-0-399-16030-1
Hardcover pages
: 400
Age range: 12-17
Genre
: Historical Fiction
Book Setting: East Prussia
Author’s ethnicity
: Lithuanian American
Author’s residence
: Tenessee
Subjects: Death, Maritime tragedy, Refugees, Warfare, World War II

Adam And Thomas

Adam and ThomasAdam and Thomas are two nine-year-old Jewish boys who have been left in the forest by their mothers who must return to the ghetto. They eat berries to survive and build a nest in a high tree for shelter. They witness Nazis chasing other fugitives and help when they can. A peasant girl named Mina discovers the boys and leaves them packages of food at her own risk. Through their positive thinking and resourcefulness, they survive winter’s harsh weather and eventually reach the infirmary of the Red Army, but the story’s ending is uncertain. This powerful fable about survival and friendship is illustrated with delicate dreamlike watercolor and ink paintings. The author’s personal experience was inspiration for the book.  mjw
Title: Adam And Thomas
Author: Aharon Appelfeld
Illustrator
: Philippe Dumas
Publisher
: Seven Stories Press, New York
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Hebrew
Translator
: Jeffrey M. Green
Original Title
: Yalda Shelo Minhaolam Haze (A Girl From Another World)
Original Copyright
: 2013
ISBN
: 978-1-60980-634-7
Hardcover pages
: 149
Age range
: 10-18
Genre
: Historical fiction
Book setting
: World War II
Author’s ethnicity
: Born near Czernowitz, Bukovina, Ukraine
Author’s residence
: Beersheba, Israel
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: France
Awards
: 2016 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book, 2016 Sydney Taylor Book Award, 2016 National Jewish Book Award Finalist
Subjects
: Courage, Holocaust, Jews, Refugees, Surfival, War stories, World War II, 1939-1945

This Is The Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City And The World Of Small Animals

This is the Greatest Place! The Forbidden City and the World of Small AnimalsOne day the creatures of a forest are visited by a man who raves about the beauty of the forest they live in. This visitor is the architect for the Chinese Emperor and is tasked with finding a place to build the emperor’s palace. The small animals show the builder their home, and he is inspired to construct the palace based on the sights he sees. This picture book with adorable illustrations, real photographs of the palace, maps, lift-flaps, and pull-out pages innovatively describes how the real Chinese Forbidden City was built and exists today. The factual information about how the trees were treated with tender loving care to build the Forbidden City promotes environmental preservation. This work is an excellent addition to the China Institute’s We All Live In The Forbidden City series. ema
Title: This Is The Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City And The World Of Small Animals
Author: Brian Tse
Illustrator
: Alice Mak
Publisher
: China Institute in America
Copyright
: 2014
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Ben Wan
ISBN: 978-0-9893776-2-1
Hardcover pages
: 44 pages
Age range: 4 up
Genre
: Picture Book/ Nonfiction
Book setting
: China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: China
Awards: A Parent’s Choice Recommended Award for Picture Books, and a winner of A Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award, Books on Foreign Culture
Subjects: Architecture, Buildings, Forests, Palaces, History