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Fifteen-year-old Maya is traveling with her Sikh father to bring her Hindu mother’s ashes to India. Arriving in 1984 on the eve of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination she is thrust into an India full of fear and chaos. She manages to escape the worst of the riots in Delhi but is separated from her father and must rely on others to help her navigate the dangers of India in 1984. Maya finds a companion in Sandeep a mysterious young man who helps her face an uncertain future. Written in verse, this fast paced historical fiction novel shows the harsh reality of Indian life in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination along with the troubles a young woman could have faced being alone in India. Ostlere shows the danger of the time but also honors the vibrancy of India through realistic details such as, warm chai being sold on the street, that will transport the reader directly into Indian culture. amo |
| Title: Karma Author: Cathy Ostlere Publisher: Razor Bill Copyright: 2011 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-59514-384-6 Paperback pages: 534 Age range: 13 and up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Canada, India Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Calgary, Canada Awards: R. Ross Annett Children’s Award Subjects: Assassination, Family, India, Love, Riots |
Through a beautiful story of renewal, told in three parts, this picture book teaches us to find hope even in the darkest times. Starting with bright painted scenes, readers are introduced to a steamboat that is new and full of fancy, important people. As the story continues the colors become muted until the steamboat is abandoned. Part two follows a family from luxury to homelessness as the pages transition from colorful to bland. Finally, in the dreariest moments the abandoned ship and homeless people are united to rebuild the ship into a community home that is radiant with color. amo |
| Title: As Time Went By Author: José Sanabria Illustrator: José Sanabria Publisher: NorthSouth Books Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Original Title: Wie die Zeit verghet Original Publisher: NordSud Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 987-0-7358-4248-9 Paperback pages: 48 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Author’s ethnicity: Colombian Author’s residence: Argentina Illustrator’s ethnicity: Colombian Illustrator’s residence: Argentina Subjects: Boats, Family, Homes |
This comic book is sure to delight lovers of witty, intellectual humor. With many different worlds throughout the book, readers will turn pages hoping to find their favorite characters such as Oliverio the Olive or Henrietta. Every strip was originally published in La Nación during 2003 and 2004 yet their themes still resonate with today’s audience. Pen and watercolor illustrations guide the reader through the clever adventures with multitudes of characters to love. amo |
| Title: Macanudo #2 Author: Liniers Illustrator: Liniers Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Spanish Translator: Mara Faye Lethem Original Title: Macanudo #2 Original Publisher: Ediciones de la Flor S.R.L. Original Copyright: 2004 ISBN: Hardcover pages: 104 Age range: 12-18 Genre: Comic Book Author’s ethnicity: Argentine Author’s residence: Argentina Illustrator’s ethnicity: Argentine Illustrator’s residence: Argentina Subjects: Adventures, Animals, Children, Emotions, Gnomes, Homes, Imagination, Penguins, Seasons |
Using both traditional and digital techniques, Benoit Tardif highlights the amazing differences that we see in many of the metropolises around the world. With 34 different cities in this non-fiction picture book, readers will take a trip around the world exploring sights, smells, and sounds as they flip through the pages. The cities are from every continent except Antarctica and show a fantastic variety of cultures. Beautiful world-map end papers show the location of all of the cities. With a table of contents and legend in the front of the book, as well as a glossary of foreign words at the end, readers will be highly informed after completing this book. amo |
| Title: Metropolis Author: Benoit Tardif Illustrator: Benoit Tardif Publisher: Kids Can Press Copyright: 2016 Original Language: French Translator: Original Title: Metropolis Original Publisher: Comme des geants inc. Original Copyright: 2015 ISBN: 978-1-7713-8721-7 Hardcover pages: 72 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Non-Fiction, Picture Book Book setting: Around the World Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Montreal, Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal, Canada Subjects: Food, Landmarks, Metropolises, Sports |
A timely novel gives a face to the immigrants that struggle to get from Central America into the United States. Jamie’s cousin, and best friend, Miguel is murdered by the local gang in Guatemala: the Alphas. They will come for Jamie and his cousin Ángela next unless they find a way to escape. Together the two frightened teens take the only road available to them; they ride a truck out of Guatemala into Mexico. From there they head on a long and arduous journey full of dangerous gangs, violence, and a few kind allies to find their way to the safety of the United States. The teens team up with others, including a dog named Vida, to find Jamie’s older brother in the United States. Throughout their journey Jamie draws the landscapes and people and even earns money for his pencil illustrations. Alexandra Diaz seamlessly intertwines Spanish phrases into the book including resources such as a glossary, an author’s note, further reading suggestions, and a bibliography at the end of the novel. amo |
| Title: The Only Road Author: Alexandra Diaz Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books Copyright: 2016 Original Language: English (Spanish edition available) ISBN:978-1-4814-5750-7 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 8-12 Genre: Fiction based on current events Book setting: Guatemala, Mexico, United States Author’s ethnicity: Cuban Author’s residence: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA Awards; 2017 Pura Belpre Author Honor Subjects: Artwork, Dogs, Drawing, Family, Gangs, Immigration, Travel, Violence |