Tag Archives: Language

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

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

The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes

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Princess Itza has many wealthy and powerful suitors, but she refuses them all. She loves a warrior named Popoca because he loves her for who she is and promises to stay by her side no matter what. Itza’s father, the emperor, does not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior. He tells Popoca that if he can defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, he can marry Itza. When Popoca is close to victory, his opponent sends a messenger saying Itza has fallen into a deep sleep. Popoca returns home and even he cannot wake her. He stays by her side and two volcanoes are formed – Itzaccihuatl, who continues to sleep and Popocatepetl, who spews ashes and smoke from time to time trying to wake his sleeping princess. This retelling of an ancient Aztec legend is illustrated by Tonatiuh’s recognizable artwork with sharp lines and figures always shown in profile. A glossary with pronunciations and an author’s note about the artwork and source materials are included. mjw

Title: The Princess And The Warrior: A Tale Of Two Volcanoes Author: Duncan Tonatiuh Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh Publisher: Abrams Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4197-2130-4 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book, Folk Tale Book setting: Mexico Author’s ethnicity: Mexican Author’s residence: Mexico Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican Illustrator’s residence: Mexico Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Pura Belpre Award.  2016 New York Times Best Illustrated Books. Subjects: Fairy tales, Folk tales, Geography and cultures, Hispanic and Latino, Mexico, Myths, Multicultural studies

Sweet Pizza

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Fourteen-year-old Welsh-Italian Joe is passionate about his Italian heritage. He lives in Bryn Mawr, South Wales, where his family runs the café that his great-grandfather opened in 1929. Joe is desperate to save the café and bring the neighborhood back to life. He loves all things Italian, especially Italian opera, which provides the perfect accompaniment for the novel. Joe is quite a businessman, as he succeeds in bringing his diverse community together. Woven throughout the heart-warming and funny story is the astonishing history of Italian immigrants in Wales told through taped recollections from his grandfather, Nonno. Back matter includes a historical note, an author’s note on opera, and Italian recipes to try. mjw

Title: Sweet Pizza Author: Giancarlo Gemin (G.R. Gemin) Publisher: Nosy Crow Ltd.  London Copyright: 2106 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-85763-630-0  Paperback pages: 288 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Contemporary fiction, Historical fiction Book setting: South Wales Author’s ethnicity: Born in Cardiff, Wales, of Italian parentage Author’s residence: London Awards:  Longlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2016 Subjects: Grandfathers, Immigrants, Italian heritage, Opera, Restaurants, World War II

The Inquisitor’s Tale

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This fantasy novel about three magical children and their holy dog transports readers to Medieval France. The children and their dog are fugitives who battle dragons, knights, kings, and monks in order to protect what is most valuable. The story, being told by multiple quirky travelers at an inn, takes readers through the French countryside, Paris, and finally Mont-Saint-Michel.  The masterful storytelling was richly researched and intertwines real historical figures, such as King Louis and Gwenforte the Holy Greyhound, with characters such as Jeanne, based loosely upon Joan of Arc. The traditional illumination on the borders of the text adds to the fast paced action of the tale. amo

Title: The Inquisitor’s Tale Author: Adam Gidwitz Illustrator: Hatem Aly Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7352-8737-2 Paperback pages: 360 Age range: 10-15 Genre: Fantasy Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: American Author’s residence: Brooklyn, NY Illustrator’s ethnicity: Egyptian Illustrator’s residence: New Brunswick, Canada Subjects: Dogs, Religion, Dragons, Knights, Monks, Medieval France

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees

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Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for starting the Green Belt Movement, dedicated to planting trees, protecting the environment, and promoting women’s rights. This beautiful picture book biography describes her early life when she went to school at a time when very few African women even learned to read. She eventually studied in the United States and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi in 1971. Besides planting trees all over Kenya, she organized the environmental party to defeat the corrupt Kenyan government in 2002. Dramatic and vibrant stylized art, with African textile patterns, helps celebrate Maathai’s life and accomplishments. Extensive back matter includes a timeline of her life with photographs, a map of Africa, information on Kenya today and deforestation, quotations from her autobiography and Nobel lecture, and helpful websites. mjw

Title: Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees Author: Franck Prevot Illustrator: Aurelia Fronty Publisher: Charlesbridge. Watertown, Massachusetts Copyright: 2015 Original Language: French Translator: Dominique Clement Original Title: Wangari Maathai: la femme qui plantait des millions d’arbres Original Publisher: Editions Rue du Monde Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-1-58089-626-9 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 6-9 Genre: Picture Book Biography Book setting: Kenya Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: France Illustrator’s ethnicity: French Illustrator’s residence: France Awards:  2016 Children’s Africana Book Award Subjects: Environmentalists, Green Belt Movement, Kenya, Multicultural, Novel Peace Prize, Trees, Women

Tua And The Elephant

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While looking around the Night Market in her hometown of Chiang Mai, Thailand, ten-year-old Tua (Thai for “peanut”) sees an elephant being mistreated and knows she must rescue her from the abusive mahouts (elephant trainers) who own her. Tua is a clever, courageous, and big-hearted girl who bonds with the elephant she names Pohn-Pohn. The villains are evil, but also inept and Tua repeatedly outsmarts them. Other characters include her loving and hard-working single mother, the funny Auntie Orchid (the finest actress in Thailand –at least in her eyes), and many lively and colorful family members, farmers, and Buddhist monks who help Tua on her adventure. All ends well as Tua finally gets Pohn-Pohn to the sanctuary of an elephant refuge. Charcoal, linoleum block print, and photo- shopped illustrations in golds and purples reveal much about the culture and people of Thailand. mjw

Title: Tua And The Elephant Author: R.P. Harris Illustrator: Taeeun Yoo Publisher: Chronicle Books. San Francisco, California Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978- 0-8118-7781-7 Hardcover pages: 208 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Chiang Mai, Thailand Author’s residence: Shanghai, China Illustrator’s ethnicity: Korean Illustrator’s residence: New York Subjects: Adventure, Animal rescue, Animal sanctuaries, Animal welfare, Asia, Asiatic elephants, Elephants, Thailand

Funny Bones Posada And His Day Of The Dead Calaveras

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Nineteenth century Mexican artist and social commentator Jose Guadalupe Posada is well known for his satirical political cartoons and his calavera drawings. Calaveras are festive and fun bony skeletons riding bicycles, wearing fancy hats, playing guitars, and dancing. They have become associated with el Dia de Muertos – the Day of the Dead. The well-written text details Posada’s life in this thought-provoking picture book. Posada’s artistic techniques of lithography, engraving, and etching are clearly explained and reproductions of his calaveras will involve readers in answering questions about his intentions. Tonatiuh’s signature hand-drawn and digitally collaged illustrations with profile figures are inspired by ancient Mexican art. Back matter includes a lengthy author’s note, a glossary with pronunciations, a bibliography, art credits, an index, and a list of places where Posada’s work can be seen in the United States. mjw

Title: Funny Bones Posada And His Day Of The Dead Calaveras Author: Duncan Tonatiuh Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, New York Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4197-1647-8 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture Book Biography Book setting: Mexico Author’s ethnicity: Mexican Author’s residence: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexican Illustrator’s residence: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico Awards: 2016 Pura Belpre Honor – Illustration, 2016 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2016 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Subjects: Biography, Culture, Engravers, History, Holidays and celebrations, Human skeletons in art, Mexico

Alpha

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Alpha, Bravo, Charlie . . . The NATO phonetic alphabetic was adopted in 1956 and is used by various emergency services, including firefighters, police, the military, and the Red Cross, as a way to communicate clearly and precisely in urgent situations. Each spread features a colorful watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustration on the right and the word printed in large block letters on a white page on the left. The illustrations are quite sophisticated in this nontraditional ABC book. A black derby represents “Charlie” (Charlie Chaplin). A red plastic Monopoly piece defines “hotel.” O portrays a beautiful evening gown (Oscar de la Renta). A note at the back of the book gives more information about the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet and suggests that the images will invite imagination and interpretation. mjw

Title: Alpha Author: Isabelle Arsenault Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Candlewick Press, Somerville, Massachusetts Copyright: 2015 Original Language: French, NATO phonetic alphabet Original Publisher: Les Editions de la Pasteque Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-0-7636-7852-4 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 5-8 Genre: Picture Book, ABC Book Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Montreal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal Awards: Author/illustrator has won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature three times Subjects: Alphabet, ICAO alphabet code

Two White Rabbits

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“Where are we going?” a little girl asks her father, but he does not answer. The little girl and her father are migrating to a land suggestive of America. On the way, the two encounter several animals, a group of people encamped on train tracks, and a family who helps them. The drab brown and blue toned illustrations of the family crossing a muddy river on rafts built on rubber tires, riding on top of a rusted-out train, and sleeping in the back of a pick-up truck convey the hardships many refugees face. The narrowed-eyed coyote that follows the family on their journey is a metaphor representing those who smuggle migrants and refugees across borders with not always good intentions. The open-ended ending shows that there are few certainties in a refugee family’s life. This compelling book about a loving family’s determination to find a better future is an excellent read to introduce immigration to young readers. ema

Title: Two White Rabbits Author: Jairo Buitrago Illustrator: Rafael Yockteng Publisher: Groundwood Books Copyright: 2015 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Elisa Amado ISBN: 978-1-55498-741-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Mexico Author’s ethnicity: Mexican Author’s residence: Colombian Illustrator’s ethnicity: Mexico Illustrator’s residence: Colombia Subjects: Immigration, Mexico, Refugees

Shooting Kabul

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Twelve-year-old Fadi and his family are illegally leaving Afghanistan for asylum in the U.S. in 2001. As they hurriedly board the escape truck, Fadi’s six-year-old sister Mariam lets go of his hand and is lost. As the Taliban is patrolling, there is no going back. They arrive in San Francisco to begin anew, but they are heart-broken and are constantly searching for Mariam. Fadi joins and finds comfort in the photography club at his middle school, with the hope that he can win a photo competition. The prize is a trip to India. Since Afghanistan is close to India, he thinks he can go there and find his sister. Fadi’s family also has to deal with the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Kids at school assume Fadi is responsible for what happened and make him fearful and miserable. A clever and satisfying ending will encourage readers to move on to the Glossary, Author’s Note, Suggestions for Further Reading, and Reading Guide. A map is also included. This story about family relationships, with realistic detail about the immigrant experience and Afghani (particularly Pukhtun) culture, is based on the author’s husband’s personal history of fleeing his home in Soviet controlled Afghanistan in the 1970s. One note: “shooting” in the title is a reference to photography, and not violence. mjw

Title: Shooting Kabul Author: N.H. Senzai Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4424-0194-2 Hardcover pages: 273 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: San Francisco.  Afghanistan Author’s residence: U.S.  Has lived in Saudi Arabia and England. Awards: 2010 Middle East Outreach Book Award for Youth Literature, 2011 CBC/NCSS Notable Children’s Book Subjects: Afghan-Americans, Bravery, California, Cameras, Emigration, Immigration, Love, Perseverance, Photography, Prejudice, Tolerance