Tag Archives: Schools

Apple And Rain

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Thirteen-year-old Apollinia Apostolopoulou (Apple) has lived with her strict grandmother since her flighty mother went off to America to be a Broadway actress eleven years ago. Her grandmother makes her go to church on Sundays, won’t let her hang out with her girlfriends, and is too watchful. Apple craves the return of her mother and when she returns, Apple eagerly chooses to live with her. But things aren’t as Apple expects. Her mother does not have a job, is not responsible, and has another ten-year-old daughter, Rain, who has her own set of problems. Rain carries around a doll, which she believes is real and can’t take care of herself. Apple is reduced to being Rain’s babysitter and maid. Del, the boy next door, is a wonderful character who is sweet, smart, geeky, and adds humor to the book. Mr. Gaydon, Apple’s teacher, helps Apple by encouraging her to see poetry and writing as a creative outlet. This quick read about forgiveness, complicated relationships, and Apple’s growth and change is heartbreaking, emotionally intense, but honest. mjw

Title: Apple And Rain Author: Sarah Crossan Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-1-4088-5306-1 Hardcover pages: 332 Age range: 12 up Genre: Realistic Fiction Book setting: England Author’s ethnicity: Grew up in Dublin and London Author’s residence: Hertfordshire, England Awards: 2015 Carnegie Medal Nominee Subjects: Coming of age, Dysfunctional families, Family problems, Mothers and daughters, Poetry, Sisters

Imaginary Fred

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Fred is the best imaginary friend for a boy named Sam. They act in plays, read, look at the clouds, imagine, figure out how the toilet works, and pretend they are French. Everything is fine until Sam meets a “real friend” named Sammi. Sammi has her own imaginary friend named Frieda. But the imaginary friends do not fade away when real friendships are found. The power of friendship is stronger than Fred had imagined. Fred’s shape is made of digital, blue dots with no outline. He floats “like a feather in the wind.”  Sam and real objects are made of quirky line drawings. This engaging picture book is a perfect collaboration between two master book creators. mjw

Title: Imaginary Fred Author: Eoin Colfer Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers Publisher:  Harper Collins Children’s Books Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-06-237955-9 Hardcover pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Irish Author’s residence: Ireland Illustrator’s ethnicity: Originally from Northern Ireland Illustrator’s residence: New York Awards: 2105 Specsavers Ireland Children’s Book of the Year Junior Award Subjects: Emotions and feelings, Friendship, Imaginary companions, Imaginary playmates, Social skills

You Can’t See The Elephants

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Thirteen-year-old Mascha is bored living with her grandparents for the summer in their quiet, small town. She meets siblings, Max, 7, and Julia, 9, who are withdrawn and shy and covered with bruises. Mascha suspects that their father is physically abusing them and when the adults don’t listen, she takes matters into her own hands. She makes some unusual choices, kidnaps the children, and locks them in an abandoned farmhouse in a nearby field. Mascha is brave, helpless, and desperate, and she wants to do the right thing, but her actions bring unintended consequences for everyone. This disturbing, heartbreaking, and straightforward novel about child abuse is discussion provoking  mjw

Title: You Can’t See The Elephants Author: Susan Kreller Publisher: G.P.Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, USA Copyright: 2015 Original Language: German Translator: Elizabeth Gaffney Original Title: Elefanten sieht man nicht Original Publisher: Carlsen Verlag Gmb H Original Copyright: 2012 ISBN: 978-0-399-17209-0 Hardcover pages: 192 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: The translator set the book in the USA Author’s ethnicity: German Author’s residence: Germany Awards: Author has been nominated for the German Youth Literature prize twice and has won the Kranichsteiner Literary Prize Subjects: Abuse, Brothers and sisters, Child abuse, Dysfunctional relationships, Grandparents, Siblings

Malala, A Brave Girl From Pakistan/Iqbal, A Brave Boy From Pakistan: Two Stories Of Bravery

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Two stories of young heroes from Pakistan who were unafraid to speak out are told in this two-in-one, upside-down book. Iqbal Masih was an anti child labor activist born in 1982 in Lahore. He was a bonded worker in a carpet factory until he was liberated at age 10. He spoke out against injustice and slavery, which affect millions of children worldwide. He was shot and killed when he was 12. Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, in the Swat Valley, in 1997. She first spoke publicly at the age of 11 about the importance of education for girls. In 2012, she was shot by the Taliban. She was treated in many hospitals and today continues to speak out. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. The two stories, with their simple sentences and direct quotations from the young activists, are linked by a shared wordless center-spread, which shows brightly-colored Malala holding onto a kite that reaches out to Iqbal, and gray-toned Iqbal having let go of his kite that sails off to Malala. The simple, uncluttered flat folk art style paintings in brilliant colors reflect the culture of Pakistan. An Author’s Note provides background information about Malala and Iqbal. mjw

Title: Malala, A Brave Girl from Pakistan/Iqbal, A Brave Boy From Pakistan: Two Stories Of Bravery Author: Jeannette Winter Illustrator: Jeanette Winter Publisher: Beach lane Books, Simon & Schuster, New York Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4814-2294-9 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 6-10 Genre: Picture book biography Book setting: Pakistan Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Boys, Child labor, Children’s rights, Education, Girls, Heroes, Peshgi, Rug and carpet industry, Upside-down books

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

The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story Of One Ordinary Bicycle

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In this amazing story about a red bike’s journey, Leo outgrows his bike and donates it to a charity which sends bikes to people in countries who cannot afford them. The bike touches all of the lives it encounters. The story invites readers to think about all of the ways a bicycle can help people.  The digitally-inspired illustrations incorporate elements of real acrylic and silkscreen textures. The book also includes excellent resources and activities for educators. ema

Title: The Red Bicycle: The Extraordinary Story Of One Ordinary Bicycle Author: Jude Isabella Illustrator: Simone Shin Publisher:  CitizenKid, a trademark of Kids Can Press Ltd. Copyright:  2015 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Kids Can Press Ltd. Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-77138-023-2 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: North America, Ghana, and Burkina Faso Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: British Columbia Illustrator’s ethnicity: American Illustrator’s residence: San Francisco Bay Area Subjects: Africa, Altruism, Burkina Faso, Bicycles, Caring, Charities, Helping others, Working

Little White Duck: A Childhood In China

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Andrés Vera Martínez’s mash of comic and classical styles with brown-palette illustrations captures what it was like for his wife, Na Liu, to grow up in China in the 1970s and 1980s. Na Liu, who is called by her nickname Da Qin “Big Piano” in the novel, and her sister Xiao Qin “Little Piano” grew up during a transitional time when China was slowly opening up to the world both economically and culturally. Illustrations and words simply capture the reality of China following Chairman Mao’s death without being overly pedantic. These changes are shown in the eight short stories describing Da Qin’s childhood, life in post-Mao China era, and Chinese traditions and stories. A glossary of terms, a timeline, translations of Chinese characters, a map of China, and a note about the author and illustrator are included. ema

Title: Little White Duck: A Childhood In China Author: Na Liu Illustrator: Andrés Vera Martínez Publisher: Graphic Universe a division of Lerner Publishing Group Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-7613-8115-0 Paperback pages: 108 Age range: 8 up Genre: Graphic Novel, Biography Book setting: China Author’s ethnicity: Chinese Author’s residence: United States Illustrator’s ethnicity: American Illustrator’s residence: United States Awards: 2012 Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book, 2012 SLJ Best Children’s Books in Fiction, 2012 Horn Book Fanfare in Fiction, 2012 Cybils Award Finalist for Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novels Subjects: Biography, Childhood, China, Comics,  Government, Graphic Novels, History, Language, Memoir, Mythology, World Politics

Tiger Boy

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Set in the tidal mangrove forests of the Sunderbans of India and Bangladesh, this quiet, suspenseful story tells of young Neel and his efforts to track down a female tiger cub that has escaped from a local animal reserve and save it from greedy poachers. Neel is a good student and could qualify for a scholarship for a private boarding school in Kolkata. This would ensure him and his family a much better quality of life. But he loves his home, is reluctant to leave his familiar world, and therefore, only studies half-heartedly. Neel and his sister hatch out a courageous plan and succeed in rescuing the tiger. And Neel changes his mind about education. Global warming, gender discrimination, endangered animals, environmental protection, and class structure are some of the important issues in this fast-paced story, which is enhanced by dramatic black-and-white pastel illustrations. An Author’s Note, Information on Organizations Working with Bengal Tigers and Organizations Working to Improve Life in the Sunderbans, and a Glossary are provided. mjw

Title: Tiger Boy Author: Mitali Perkins Illustrator: Jamie Hogan Publisher: Charlesbridge.  Watertown, MA Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-58089-660-3 Hardcover pages: 144 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Sunderbans, West Bengal, India Author’s ethnicity: Born in Kolkata, India Author’s residence: U.S.  Has lived in Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Mexico, Thailand, Great Britain Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Animal rescue, Community, Conflict, Economics, Nature, Teachers, Tigers

Cartwheeling In Thunderstorms

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Eight-year-old Will enjoys her adventurous life in Zimbabwe. She enjoys living on an African farm with her best friend Simon and loving father. But when her father passes away, her new guardians send her off to an all-girls’ boarding school in London to learn proper manners and get her “savage” streak out of her. Will has to deal with the challenges of living on her own in a new country where no one seems to understand her. Rundell’s novel illustrates the importance of accepting your differences and finding unforeseen friendships. ema

Title: Cartwheeling In Thunderstorms Author: Katherine Rundell Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: The Savage Girl Original Publisher: Faber and Faber Limited  Original Copyright: 2011 ISBN: 978-1-4424-9061-1 Hardcover pages: 248 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Zimbabwe and London Author’s ethnicity: grew up in Zimbabwe, Brussels, and London Author’s residence: London Awards: 2014 SLJ Best Books for Middle Grade, 2015 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People for Third to Fifth Grade, 2015 Boston Globe/Horn Book Fiction Award Winner Subjects: Africa, Boarding schools, Death, London, Orphans, Zimbabwe

Totto-Chan: The Little Girl At The Window

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Japan’s most popular television personality, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, reflects upon her childhood growing up in Japan during World War II. “Totto-chan”, as the author is called in the novel, after she is expelled from her elementary in the first grade chooses to attend Tomoe Gakuen. Headmaster Sosaku Kobayashi’s elementary school, which has old train cars for classrooms, is considered unusual, but it is the perfect school for Totto-chan. The headmaster’s pedagogy is that children should be able to freely express their thoughts and choose what they would like to learn. Brilliantly written text will have readers laughing, crying, and cheering for Totto-chan. The book features softly beautiful illustrations by the late picture book illustrator Chihiro Iwasaki, a postscript from the author, an epilogue explaining where Totto-chan’s classmates are now, and notes which translate some words into Japanese characters. ema

Title: Totto-Chan: The Little Girl At The Window Author: Tetsuko Kuroyanagi Illustrator: Chihiro Iwasaki Publisher: Kodansha USA Copyright: 2011 Original Language: Japanese Translator: Dorothy Britton Original Title: Madogiwa no Totto-chan Original Publisher: Kodansha  Ltd. Original Copyright: 1981 ISBN: 978-1-56836-391-2 Paperback pages: 229 Age range: 9 up Genre: Historical Nonfiction, Memoir Book setting: Japan during WWII Author’s ethnicity: Japanese Author’s residence: Japan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Died on August 8, 1974 Awards: Non-Fiction Prize Subjects: Biography, Elementary schools, Nontraditional schools, Tomoe Gakuen, TV personalities

Amina

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Fourteen-year-old Amina lives in war-torn Somalia. Like her father, she has a passion for creating art which could get her in trouble with the Al-Shabaab, the rebel militant force which uses violence to control Somalia. Suddenly, Amina’s father is arrested for creating art which the Islamic extremists believe is against Islam, and her brother is kidnapped leaving her, her pregnant mother, and her elderly grandmother struggling to survive. Still, Amina firmly believes in creating her street art so the world will be inspired by her artwork which hopes for a better future. This gripping novel, a part of the “Through My Eyes”  series, features a map of Somalia, an author’s note, a timeline of Somali history, a glossary of terms, and research resources to learn more about the country. ema

Title: Amina Author: J.L. Powers Publisher: Allen & Unwin Copyright: 2015 Original Language: English Original Title: Amina Original Publisher: Allen & Unwin Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-174331-249-0 Paperback pages: 184 Age range: 11-14 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Somalia in 2011 Author’s ethnicity: American Author’s residence: California Subjects: Children Soldiers, Civil war, Hunger, Independence, Islam, Painting, Poetry, Politics, Poverty, Religion

Same, Same But Different

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Elliot lives in America and Kailish lives in India. They exchange drawings and notes as part of a Picture Pals project in their schools. The boys compare families, pets, cities, alphabets, and art and yoga classes, and discover that they are best friends even though they live in two different worlds. Or do they? “Different, different but the same!” The colorful, detailed and vivid art, rendered in acrylic, crayon, pencil, collage, and tissue paper, illustrates the differences and similarities between the boys’ homes. Stamps on the endpapers are whimsical and fun. In this age of instant access through the Internet, students can see a different way to communicate. The author/illustrator traveled to Nepal and India where she learned the popular saying “same, same but different” that is used to compare cultures. mjw

Title: Same, Same But Different Author: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw Illustrator: Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw Publisher: Henry Holt and Company, New York Copyright: 2011 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-8050-8946-2 Hardcover pages: 40 Age range: 4-7 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: U.S. and India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Awards: 2012 South Asia Book Award, 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award Subjects: Alphabet, Friendship, Pen pals