Tag Archives: Friends

The Apple Tart Of Hope

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Oscar Dunleavy, apple tart baker, is missing and presumed dead after taking his own life. Nobody seems suspicious of his disappearance except for Meg, his best friend, and Stevie, his little brother. Through interwoven narratives, we find out what truly happened to Oscar and what changed so drastically in his life that drove him to attempt suicide. Meg had moved from Ireland to New Zealand for six months, losing touch with Oscar. Oscar’s new neighbor, Paloma Killealy, moved into Meg’s house while she was away. A manipulative and pathological schemer, Paloma makes Oscar’s life miserable as she fakes a friendship with him all to allow her notion of “The Ratio,” to come to fruition. Meg and Stevie team up to determine what really happened to Oscar and learn about the power of never giving up hope. This sensational novel centers on the destruction of bullying and the power of true friendship. cc

Title: The Apple Tart Of Hope Author: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald Publisher: Orion Children’s Books, a division of Orion Publishing Group Ltd., London Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-4440-0692-6 Hardcover pages: 199 Age range: 13 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Ireland/New Zealand Author’s ethnicity:  Irish Author’s residence: Ireland Subjects: Bullying, Deception, Disabilities, Families, Friends, Food, High school, Hope, Love

Flood

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Rain turns into a torrential downpour and the river’s banks begin to overflow. Water rises and slashes through neighborhoods, swallowing everything around it. People’s ability to band together in times of need after a devastating flood in Queensland is at the heart of Flood. Strangers help strangers by providing food and shelter. This emotional story is paired with equally compelling acrylic wash illustration done with the illustrator’s left hand. The running paint enhances the feeling of “wetness” and perfectly aligns with the text. cc

Title: Flood Author: Jackie French Illustrator: Bruce Whatley Publisher: Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Australia Copyright: 2011 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1742830728 Paperback pages: 32 Age range: 3-9 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Queensland, Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Awards: 2012 Children’s Book Council of Australia Award Shortlist Subjects: Australia, Floods, Heroes, Queensland

Cinderella: An Islamic Tale

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Zahra is left alone with a cruel stepmother and snobby stepsisters after her parents die. She is a pious, sweet young woman who endures many trials and tribulations as she is made the servant in her household. When an invitation to the ‘Eid party at the palace arrives at Zahra’s house, she longs to attend. With the help of her long-lost grandmother, Zahra finishes her housework in time to attend the party and gain the attention and affection of the prince. In a hurry to leave the party in time to beat her stepmother and stepsisters home, Zahra loses her beautiful glass slipper. Faith, prayer, and goodness are rewarded in the end of this Islamic version of the classic fairy tale. Beautiful, richly detailed illustrations help bring the text to life. cc

Title: Cinderella: An Islamic Tale Author: Fawzia Gilani Illustrator: Shireen Adams Publisher: The Islamic Foundation Copyright: 2010 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-86037-473-2 Hardcover pages: 44 Age range: 5-10 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Medieval Andalusia Author’s ethnicity: Punjabi Author’s residence: United States Illustrator’s residence: United Kingdom Subjects: Cinderella, Fairy tales, Faith, Folklore, Islam, Muslim, Religion, Spirituality

Saving Kabul Corner

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12 year old Ariana Shinwali eagerly counts down the days until she will have her own room in a beautiful new house. Laila, Ariana’s perfect, well-mannered cousin,arrives from Afghanistan and seemingly intrudes on Ariana’s life: stealing her best friend, Mariam, and her personal space. Kabul Corner, the Shinwali family’s store, faces hardship when another Afghan grocery store competitor arises in Wong Plaza. An old family feud that supposedly was left in Afghanistan is reignited and the rival families blame each other for the vandalism and issues that take place at the two stores. Ariana, Laila, Mariam, and Wali (son of the rival store’s owner) set aside differences and meet to discuss suspicions about a third party being involved in the mishaps at each store. The mystery unfolds as the foursome uncover clues that point to the truth. A glossary of terms follows the compelling read which portrays the multicultural main characters in a manner that is not stereotypical. cc

Title: Saving Kabul Corner Author: N. H. Senzai Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-4424-8494-8 Hardcover pages: 288 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: California Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Afghan Americans, California, Family life, Grocery trade, Immigrants, Mystery and detective stories, San Francisco Bay area, Vendetta

That Night’s Train

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Five-year-old Banafsheh is traveling on a train with her grandmother. She meets a kindly teacher who reminds her of her dead mother. The teacher is also a writer, who reads her works-in-progress to her fifth grade students. She promises to call Banafsheh and to visit and tell her stories. But she does not call. The book is a curious look at metafiction, relationships, and how fiction and reality wrap together. This sophisticated read portrays contemporary Iranian society and universal experiences. mjw

Title: That Night’s Train Author: Ahmad Akbarpour Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press, Toronto, Ontario Copyright: 2012 Original language: Persian Translator: Majid Saghafi Original title: Ghatar-e An Shab Original publisher: Cheshmeh Publications Co., Tehran, Iran Original copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-55498-169-4 Hardcover pages: 96 Age range: 9 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Iran Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: Iran Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Canada Subjects: Girls, Iran, Promises, Teachers

Woolly Jumpers

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Twins Mike and Jake reluctantly move with their family to sheep country in Australia. They miss email, the dishwasher, and their friend Justin, until their father offers them spending money for mowing the grass. They borrow the neighbor’s sheep to do the job. Chaos results as the sheep end up in their bedroom closet and in the family car. The story is told from both Mike’s point of view and the animals’ with whom he interacts. Four black-and-white drawings appear multiple times. mjw

Title: Woolly Jumpers Author: Nette Hilton Illustrator: Emma Quay Publisher: Kane Miller, A Division of EDC Publishing Copyright: 2012 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-61067-050-0 Paperback pages: 150 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction Book setting: Australia Author’s ethnicity: Australian Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Animals, Australia, Farm life, Rural

Boy On The Edge

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Teenage Henry, with a club foot, a terrible stutter, and dyslexia, is the target of unrelenting bullying.  After committing several violent acts at school and at home, he is sent to the Home of Lesser Brethren, a desolate farm for troubled boys, in the middle of the lava fields on the Icelandic coast.  The farm is run by the frightening and misguided Reverend Oswald and his loving wife. Henry finds some peace in tending the cows and sheep, but he is lonely and desperate for a friend.  Each time he trusts someone, he is betrayed.  The prologue explains that the story is a flashback written by Henry’s friend.  Not until the end, do we learn who the friend is.  This sophisticated and engrossing story of an outcast’s hope is a clear tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince.  The poetic language describes moments of tenderness and also unspeakable cruelty.  It will transport you to the cold, harsh, yet comforting Icelandic landscape.  mjw

Title: Boy On The Edge Author: Fridrik Erlings Publisher: Candlewick Copyright: 2012 Original language: Written in English but based on a book the author had previously written in Icelandic. ISBN: 978-0-7636-6680-4 Hardcover pages: 240 Age range: 14 and up Genre: Fiction – novel Book setting: Iceland Author’s ethnicity: Icelandic Author’s residence: Iceland Subjects: Clergy, Club Foot, Dyslexia, Foster Children, Iceland, Northern Europe, Stutter, Teenage Boys

A Tale Of Two Parrots

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This delightful tale about the importance of love and freedom was inspired by a story by Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet. A wealthy mustachioed merchant, elaborately dressed in traditional wide-legged silk pants, flowing robe, and tall black hat keeps a beautiful parrot in a shiny golden cage. But the parrot is sad. When the merchant travels to India to bring a message to the parrot’s friend, the friend drops dead. The merchant returns home, tells the parrot the sad news, and his parrot also drops dead. He removes the bird from the cage and it flies out into the garden. The parrot tricked the merchant. The wise merchant learned a valuable lesson and became friends with the parrot, who now lives freely in the garden. Hidden in the whimsical, mostly green and red, acrylic paintings is a Farsi narrative written on an envelope that further explains the Persian concept of gifts and the parrot’s message to his friend. There is an accompanying animation on North South Book’s YouTube channel. mjw

Title: A Tale Of Two Parrots Author: Rashin Kheiriyeh Illustrator: Rashin Kheiriyeh Publisher: North South Books Inc., New York Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-7358-4171-0 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture book Book setting: Iran/Persia, India Author’s ethnicity: Iranian Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Friends, India, Iran, Merchants, Parrots, Persia, Southern Asia

Abby Spencer Goes To Bollywood

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Thirteen-year-old biracial Abby Spencer, who lives in Houston, discovers that her long lost father is Bollywood’s biggest movie star. She is spunky and adventurous. She thinks in rhyme and has an imaginary string quartet in her head. Her journey to Mumbai to meet her father is entertaining and also an eye-opening experience about modern Indian culture. Smoothly integrated into this fun story are descriptions of India- colors, sounds, dress, foods; Hindi phrases; Indian history; and the contrast between the extreme poverty in India and the glamorous life of a Bollywood superstar. She connects with her wonderful father and even meets a cute boy. This sweet, quick read mixes literature, geography, cultural diversity, and reveals Abby’s zest for life. mjw

Title: Abby Spencer Goes To Bollywood Author: Varsha Bajaj Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-0-8075-6363-2 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 9-13 Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction Book setting: Mumbai, India Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Bollywood, Fathers and daughters, India, Motion picture actors and actresses, South Central Asia

If You Can…We Can!

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Two rabbits, one big and one little, decide to be friends forever in this touching tale with a very positive message regarding friendship.  They giggle, sing songs, tell stories, and run around.  All of these activities are enjoyed together.  The simple, heart-warming text compliments fun, lively illustrations.  Every reader will enjoy this story that exemplifies what friends are, what they do, and how friends make us feel. cc

Title: If You Can…We Can! Author: Beth Shoshan Illustrator: Petra Brown Publisher: Sandy Creek, an imprint of Sterling Publishing, New York Copyright: 2013 Original language: English Original publisher: Meadowside Children’s Books Original copyright: 2008 ISBN: 978-1-4351-4800-0 Hardcover pages: 24 Age range: 3-6 Genre: Picture book Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s residence: England Subjects: England, Friendship, Western Europe

Moon At Nine

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Farrin, a fifteen-year-old Tehran resident, is the daughter of a wealthy mother and father.  She attends a school for gifted girls and her life changes the day she meets Sadira. Sadira is witty and wise and the two become inseparable.  When Farrin and Sadira’s friendship shifts from friendship to romance, they are desperate to keep their love secret. It is 1988 and the conservative government of Iran considers homosexuality an abhorrent crime. One day the girls are discovered, thrown in jail, separated, and are left to await their execution.  Farrin is hopeful her family will find a way to free her from jail and hopes they will aid her love as well. This riveting, heart wrenching story is based on real-life events. cc

Title: Moon At Nine Author: Deborah Ellis Publisher: Pajama Press Inc., Ontario, Canada Copyright: 2014 Original language: English ISBN: 978-1-927485-57-6 Hardcover pages: 224 Age range: 14 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Iran Author’s residence: Canada Subjects: Iran, Lesbians, LGBTQ, Tehran, Western Asia

Why We Took The Car

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German eighth grader, Mike Klingenberg, is a boring kid with no friends.  He is left alone for two weeks while his mother is in rehab and his father is away on a “business trip” with his attractive secretary.  Andrej Tschichatschow, aka Tschick, is a Russian immigrant, the new kid in school, and also not popular. When Tschick shows up in a stolen beat-up Soviet-era car, the boys head out of Berlin on a road trip adventure across Germany.  They have no map, no cell phone, and no plan. They meet some bizarre characters, dodge the police, and travel the autobahn.  This is an insightful, exuberant, and highly engaging coming of age novel. mjw

Title: Why We Took The Car Author: Wolfgang Herrndorf Illustrator: Wolfgang Herrndorf Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., New York Copyright: 2014 Original language: German Translator: Tim Mohr Original title: Tschick Original publisher: Rowohlt Verlag Original copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-0-545-48180-9 Hardcover pages: 256 Age range: 14-17 Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s residence: Germany Awards: German Youth Literature Prize Subjects: Adventure, Automobile theft, Berlin, Cars, Friends, Germany, Russians, Western Europe