Tag Archives: Schools

Lucky Broken Girl

lucky-broken-girlFifth-grader Cuban-Jewish Ruthie and her family emigrated from Cuba to New York. Because she doesn’t speak English, she is placed in the “dumb” class at school. She works hard and is finally promoted to the “smart” class, but her dreams are derailed by a terrible car accident and a broken leg that leave her in a body cast for most of 1966 and 1967. While she is recovering, she is cared for by her mother, visited by her tutor from school, and befriended by her new Mexican neighbor who inspires her with stories of the artist, Frida Kahlo. Ruthie has a tough time overcoming cultural differences and her injury, but her strength, resilience, and hope help her grow and flourish. The book is based on the author’s own experience. mjw
Title: Lucky Broken Girl
Author: Ruth Behar
Publisher
: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Reader Group
Copyright
: 2017
Original Language:  
English
ISBN
: 978-0-399546-44-0
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 10 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Queens, New York
Author’s ethnicity
: Born in Havana, Cuba
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Awards: 2018 Pura Belpre Honor
Subjects
: Accidents, Broken bones, Drawing and painting, Growing up, Health, Hispanic and Latino

Book Uncle And Me

book-uncle-and-meSince energetic Yasmin turned eight, she vowed, “to read one book everyday. Every single day, forever.” She’s already up to more than 400, thanks to Book Uncle’s street-corner lending library. His street sign invites “Books. Free. Give One. Take one. Read-read-read.” Book Uncle is a retired teacher who always has the “right book for the right person for the right day.” When an order from the mayor threatens to have the lending library shut down and a mayoral election is on the horizon, Yasmin convinces all her friends, family, and neighbors to write letters to the mayoral candidates. Her campaign succeeds in making the voices of her community heard and Book Uncle is allowed to re-open his library. This universal story about the power of reading and grassroots activism offers insights into Indian culture and daily life, including the istri lady, who irons for customers, and descriptions of tasty coconut puttu. Expressive pencil drawings are sprinkled throughout the text. mjw
Title: Book Uncle And Me
Author: Uma Krishnaswami
Illustrator
: Julianna Swaney
Publisher
: Groundwood Books.  House of Anansi Press. Toronto
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Scholastic India, Pvt. Ltd.
Original Copyright
: 2012
ISBN
: 978-1-55498-808-2
Hardcover pages
: 96
Age range
: 7-10
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: India
Author’s ethnicity
: Indian
Author’s residence
: Victoria, British Columbia
Illustrator’s residence
: Portland, Oregon
Awards
: Scholastic Asian Book Award
Subjects
: Books, Community activism Elections, Karate, Libraries, Mayors, People and places – Asia

Lasso The Wind: Aurèlia’s Verses And Other Poems

Lasso-the-Wind-jacket-FINAL-copy-270x300Poet Laureate of Toronto George Elliott Clarke’s collection of lyrical poetry will captivate readers of all ages. His poetry touches a variety of subjects, such as animals, school, exploration, poverty, and nature. The poems also describe the joy he has for his smiling daughter, Aurèlia. The colorfully captivating illustrations pair perfectly with the poems. Though some of the poems cover adult concepts  that may be difficult for young readers to grasp, this collection is still great for emerging and early poets.   ema

 

Title: Lasso The Wind: Aurèlia’s Verses And Other Poems
Author: George Elliott Clarke
Illustrator
: Susan Tooke
Publisher
: Nimbus
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English 
ISBN: 978-1-77108-050-7
Hardcover pages
: 64
Age range: 7-12
Genre
: Picture Book, Poetry Collection
Authors’ ethnicity: Canadian
Authors’ residence
: Toronto
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Illustrator’s residence
: Canada
Subjects: Insects, Music, Nature, Poetry, Poor,

One

oneSixteen-year-old Tippi and Grace are conjoined twins. They were homeschooled all their lives, but the funding was pulled and now they attend Hornbeacon private school. They manage to make friends in Yasmeen and Jon. The girls have their own personalities, yet they obviously share a special closeness and love. They begin to have health issues and are faced with the toughest decision of their lives. Grace narrates their fascinating and powerful story, which is told in verse. An author’s note gives information about conjoined twins. mjw
Title: One
Author: Sarah Crossan
Publisher
: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: Bloomsbury 
ISBN
: 978-0-06-211875-2
Hardcover pages
: 400
Age range
: 14 up
Genre
: Fiction, Novel in verse
Book setting
: U.S.
Author’s ethnicity
: Originally from Dublin
Author’s residence
: London
Awards
: 2016 CLIP Carnegie Medal
Subjects
: Conjoined twins. Emotions and feelings, Family problems, High school, Sisters, Special needs, Twins

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

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

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

Bronze and Sunflower

Bronze and SunflowerSet during the Chinese Cultural Revolution (late 1960s and early 1970s), Sunflower, a young girl and her artist father are banished to do hard labor in the countryside at a cadre school. It’s a difficult life for her and she is lonely. She meets Bronze, the mute son of poor villagers, who is bullied by the other village boys. After Sunflower’s father dies, Bronze’s family takes her in despite facing extreme hardship, and Sunflower finally finds happiness. This engrossing, beautifully written novel, with luminous imagery, will broaden readers’ horizons. Notes in the back of the book provide historical background and information about Cao’s inspiration for the book. mjw
Title: Bronze and Sunflower
Author: Cao Wenxuan
Illustrator
: Meilo So
Publisher
: Walker Books Ltd. London
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: Chinese
Translator
: Helen Wang
Original Copyright
: 2005
ISBN
: 978-1-4063-4846-0
Paperback pages
: 400
Age range
: 9 up
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Damaidi, China
Author’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Author’s residence
: China
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: Chinese
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Awards
: 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Author Medal, 2019 Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Shortlist
Subjects
: China, Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Friendship, Poverty, Survival

Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

NadiaFeisty and fearless, Nadia Comaneci joined a gymnastics school at the age of six, and began training with Bela and Marta Karolyi in her native Romania. She worked hard, channeled her boundless energy, and overcame early defeats to become a world-class athlete. In 1976, at the age of fourteen, she received five medals and seven perfect scores at the Olympic games in Montreal. Exuberant ink, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations, an afterword, a timeline, notes, and a bibliography make this well-researched picture book biography a perfect 10. mjw
Title: Nadia: The Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still
Author: Karlin Gray
Illustrator
: Christine Davenier
Publisher
: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-0-544-31960-8
Hardcover pages
: 40
Age range
: 6-9
Genre
: Picture book biography
Book setting
: Romania.  Montreal, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: U.S.
Author’s residence
: U.S.
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: French
Illustrator’s residence
: Paris, France
Subjects
: Biography, Gymnastics, Olympics, Romania, Sports and recreation

Every Falling Star

 

517TmezUbLL._SX329_BO1,204,203,200_In this young adult novel, Sungju Lee narrates the true story of his life in North Korea as a street boy. Sungju starts life in the capital of North Korea, Pyongyang, as part of an elite family with strong influence in the military. Sangju had dreams of becoming a general when at age eleven his family loses everything and is excommunicated by the regime. Over the next few years his world falls apart as his parents disappear while searching for food. In order to survive he formed a street gang of seven boys who became his brothers in his hard times. While in the street gang Sangju never gave up hope to see his parents again. To foster his hope he wished on every falling star to be reunited with family and free from his suffering.  amo
Title: Every Falling Star
Author: Sungju Lee & Susan McClelland
Publisher
: Amulet Books
Copyright
: 2016
Original Language
: English
ISBN
: 978-1-4197-2132-8
Paperback pages
: 336
Age range
: 13-16
Genre
: Autobiography
Book setting
: North Korea
Author’s ethnicity
: North Korean
Author’s residence
: United Kingdom
Subjects: Gangs, North Korea, Pyongyang, Street Boys, Work Camps

Emily Of New Moon

UnknownYoung orphan Emily Starr is raised by her aunts Elizabeth and Laura Murray and her cousin Jimmy at New Moon Farm on Prince Edward Island. Her dear friends are Ilse, Teddy, and Perry. Tomboy Ilse’s father ignores Ilse because of a terrible secret concerning her mother. Teddy is a gifted artist and Perry has the makings of a great politician. Emily doesn’t always get along with stern Aunt Elizabeth because she doesn’t understand Emily’s need to write. Emily is a wonderful heroine with a deep love for beauty in nature and art, a strong loyalty to her friends, a thirst for knowledge, and an impassioned dedication to her writing. Similar to the more famous Anne of Green Gables series, the Emily novels are Emily of New Moon (1923), Emily Climbs (1925), and Emily’s Quest (1927). Emily was the author’s favorite character. mjw
Title: Emily Of New Moon
Author: L.M. Montgomery (1874-1942)
Publisher
: Virago Press, an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group, London
Copyright
: 2013
Original Language
: English
Original Publisher
: McClellan and Stewart
Original Copyright
: 1923
ISBN
: 978-1-84408-988-8
Paperback pages
: 416
Age range
: 8-12
Genre
: Fiction
Book setting
: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Author’s ethnicity
: Canadian
Author’s residence
: Lived on Prince Edward Island, Canada
Subjects
: Aspiration, Child authors, Foster homes, Orphans, Romance

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone

17110021The first book in the sensational Harry Potter series is brought to new life in this new illustrated edition. Jim Kay enchants readers with full, double page multimedia paintings of every aspect of the Harry Potter world. With over 100 different illustrations the book is filled with details from the Hogwarts Express, to an infographic about the different types of dragon eggs. All of J.K. Rowling’s beloved characters are expressed with vibrant colors in order to add even more depth to their personalities. Veteran Harry Potter fans and first time readers will love this breathtaking interpretation of the Wizarding World.  amo
Title: Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Illustrator
: Jim Kay
Publisher
: Bloomsbury Publishing 
Copyright
: 2015
Original Language
: English
Original Copyright
: 1997
ISBN
: 978-0-545-79035-2
Hardcover pages
: 256
Age range
: 9-12
Genre
: Fantasy
Book setting
: England
Author’s ethnicity
: English
Author’s residence
: England
Illustrator’s ethnicity
: English
Illustrator’s residence
: England
Subjects
: Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Magic, Witches, Wizards,