Tag Archives: War

My Long List Of Impossible Things

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Sixteen-year-old Katja, her eighteen-year-old sister Hilde, and their mother are forced out of their house in Germany when Soviet troops take over their village after WW II. German society has collapsed and there is much hardship and violence.  Their mother is killed and the two girls make a long and dangerous journey to another town on their own.  The story is told from the point of view of Katja and the German teenage post war perspective and is rarely examined in young adult fiction.  Katja questions so much about her country, but manages to make a new life for herself.  One thing that saves Katja is her love of the piano.  Interesting facts about famous composers are sprinkled throughout this brilliant novel. mjw

Title: My Long List Of Impossible Things Author: Michelle Barker Publisher: Annick Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-77321-364-4 Paperback pages: 360 Age range: 9 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Germany Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC, Canada Subjects: Music, Musicians, Nazism, Piano, Soviet occupation, Violence, World War II

A Grain Of Rice

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Thirteen-year-old Yen and her family live in rural Vietnam. A flood destroys their village.  Famine and persecution because they are of Chinese ancestry lead the family to flee from their war-torn homeland after the fall of Saigon.  They become boat people and are eventually rescued by the Malaysian Coast Guard. There is a glossary of Vietnamese words. The story is based on events from the author’s childhood. mjw

Title: A Grain Of Rice Author: Nhung N. Tran-Davies Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-926890-25-8 Paperback pages: 154 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Vietnam Author’s ethnicity: Vietnamese Author’s residence: Edmonton, Alberta. Canada  Subjects: Famine Food, Persecution, Poverty, Prejudice, Refugees

Maison Rouge: Memories Of A Childhood In War

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Liliane Leila Juma was sixteen years old when her home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was destroyed by rebel soldiers.  In her memoir, she tells about her life before and after her family was torn apart by militia invasions and civil war.  Through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Leila and her family were able to relocate to Canada.  An introduction gives facts about Congo.  A helpful map of the region is included. mjw

Title: Maison Rouge: Memories Of A Childhood In War Author: Liliane Leila Juma Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-926890-30-2 Paperback pages: 126 Age range: 12 up Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book, Biography Book setting: Congo Author’s ethnicity: Congolese Author’s residence: Vancouver, BC, Canada Subjects: Canada, Civil war, Congo (Democratic Republic), Invasion, Refugees, Social conditions, Survival

Brave With Beauty: A Story Of Afghanistan

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This beautiful book is the extraordinary story of Queen Goharshad, a 15thcentury monarch. She was an Afghani woman who was the wife of Sha Rikh.  Together they ruled over the empire of Khorasan that stretched from Turkey to China. Goharshad loved all things of beauty, including art, poetry, music, architecture, calligraphy, and the sciences. She “didn’t care a fig for war.” She was a strong woman whose mission was to bring beauty into the world. Goharshad was instrumental in the construction of a mosque, a university, and a library.  The book is filled with elaborate period illustrations and poems.  There is a guide with pronunciations of some of the words used in the story, an author’s note, and a guide for parents and educators.  A downloadable Activity Guide is included on the Yali Books website. mjw

Title: Brave With Beauty: A Story Of Afghanistan Author: Maxine Rose Schur Illustrator: Patricia Grush, Robin Dewitt, Golsa Yaghoobi Publisher: Yali Books. New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-949528-97-8 Hardcover pages: 42 Age range: 7-9 Genre: Picture Book, Historical Fiction, Biography Book setting: Afghanistan Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S. Illustrator’s ethnicity: U.S. Illustrator’s residence: U.S. Subjects: Architecture, Beauty, Biographies, History, Queens, Royalty

Crossing The Farak River

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Fourteen-year-old Hasina, her younger brother Araf, and her thirteen-year-old cousin Ghadiya are forced out of their home in the Rakhine province of Myanmar when the Sit Tat Myanmar Army invades one night.  They become separated from their parents.  They know to flee because they are persecuted Muslim Rohingyas. They run deep into the Rakhine forest to hide, but when they return to their village, it has been burned and mostly destroyed.  Their house is still standing, but their family is gone. Hasina is a strong, courageous character who fights for her family in this captivating account of the crisis in Myanmar. mjw

Title: Crossing The Farak River Author: Michelle Aung Thin Publisher: Annick Press. Toronto Copyright: 2020 Original Language: English Original Title: Hasina Original Publisher: Allen and Unwin. Australia Original Copyright: 2019 ISBN: 978-1-77321-396-5 Paperback pages: 224 Age range: 11 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Myanmar Author’s ethnicity: Born in Burma, now Myanmar Author’s residence: Australia Subjects: Arakan, Buddhists, Burmese, Human trafficking, Muslims, Persecution, Rakhine State,Refugees, Rohingyas, Soldiers

The Brave Princess And Me

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Young Tilde Cohen and her mother are Jews who are searching for a safe place to hide.  They go to Princess Alice’s residence unannounced, begging the princess to hide them.  Princess Alice of Greece was born deaf, but is proficient in lip-reading.  Her kindness is put to the test when two Gestapo agents come by and demand to search the house.  She uses her cleverness to outwit the men and keep Tilde and her mother safe. The illustrations depict emotions beautifully.  Also included are biographical facts and photographs of Princess Alice.  The book is based on a true story from World War II Greece.  Alice is the grandmother of England’s Prince Charles and the great-grandmother of Princes William and Harry. mjw

Title: The Brave Princess And Me Author: Kathy Kacer Illustrator: Juliana Kolesova Publisher: Second Story Press, Toronto, Canada Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-772601022 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Greece Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Toronto. Canada Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Toronto. Canada Subjects: Athens, Holocaust, Jewish, Nazis, World War II

The Jasmine Sneeze

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Haroun is a happy cat living in Damascus, Syria.  He loves lazing and sleeping on the marble floor next to the fountain in his favorite courtyard.  But Haroun has a problem.  The fragrance of the beautiful jasmine flowers causes him to sneeze.  He decides to eradicate the problem by putting old fish skeletons, chicken bones, and other stinky smells into the jasmine tree pots. However, the jasmine spirit is watching his every move.  She is not happy and so she counter attacks Haroun in a funny way.  Haroun learns his lesson and peace returns to Damascus.  The illustrations are bright and cheery.  An author’s note explains more about Damascus, the City of Jasmine.  mjw

Title: The Jasmine Sneeze Author: Nadine Kaadan Illustrator: Nadine Kaadan Publisher: Lantana Publishing, Ltd. Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Lantana Publishing Ltd. United Kingdom Original Copyright: 2016 ISBN: 978-1-911373-31-5 Hardcover pages: 36 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Damascus, Syria Author’s ethnicity: Syrian Author’s residence: United Kingdom Illustrator’s ethnicity: Syrian Illustrator’s residence: United Kingdom Subjects: Cats, Flowers, Jasmine

Captain Rosalie

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Five-year-old Rosalie lives with her mother in a French village during World War I.  Her father is away at the front.  She keeps a secret notebook and is on a mission. She is Captain Rosalie, spying on the enemy.  Her mother reads aloud Father’s letters and they all look forward to the war’s end and Father’s return home.  One day, a letter arrives that Rosalie’s mother does not read.  Watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations in muted grays with soft spots of orange, pink, and blue contribute to this quiet, emotional story of hope and courage. mjw

Title: Captain Rosalie Author: Timothee De Fombelle Illustrator: Isabelle Arsenault Publisher: Candlewick Press Copyright: 2019 Original Language: French Translator: Sam Gordon Original Publisher: Walker Books Ltd. Original Copyright: 2014 ISBN: 978-1-5362-0520-6 Hardcover pages: 64  Age range: 8-12 Genre: Historical Fiction, Novella Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Paris, France Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Quebec Subjects: Fathers and daughters, Letters, Loss, Military fiction, Reading, School issues, World War I

The Good Son: A Story From The First World War Told In Miniature

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It’s Christmas time 1914, and a French soldier named Pierre leaves his regiment to visit his family. When he returns, he is imprisoned and faces execution for desertion.  Did he leave without permission?  Did he return late?  Part of the story is told in a letter he writes to his mother.  This is a heartbreaking and sad story of a terrible war. It is based on true events and is played out in photographs of miniature scenes.  A map of the Western front and an author’s note are included.  The author explains his connection to the story and his interest in “little soldiers” and photography.  The illustrators’ process is similar to that used in filmmaking, but in miniature.  Fascinating pictures illustrate the process.  This book is a piece of art. mjw

Title: The Good Son: A Story From the First World War Told In Miniature Author: Pierre-Jacques Ober Illustrator: Jules Ober and Felicity Coonan Publisher: Candlewick Studio Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-5362-0482-7 Hardcover pages: 104 Age range: 14 up Genre: Picture Book, Nonfiction, Information Book Book setting: France Author’s ethnicity: French Author’s residence: Australia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Australian Illustrator’s residence: Australia Subjects: Campaigns, Desertions, France, Military, Miniatures, Soldiers, Storytelling, Violence, Western front

Lubna And Pebble

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Lubna lives with her father and brothers in a world of tents.  Her best friend is a shiny, smooth, gray pebble.  She draws a happy face on it and keeps it warm wrapped in a tea towel in a shoebox.  She tells the pebble about home, the war, and that she loves it.  Soon, a little boy arrives.  At first, he has no words.  He coughs, sneezes, smiles, and says his name is Amir.  Lubna and Amir become friends.  One day, Lubna’s daddy announces that they are leaving because they have found a home.  Lubna feels happy, then sad.  Amir cries. Lubna gives Amir her pebble.  He needs it more than she does.  Larger-than-life, stunning illustrations complement this powerful story. mjw

Title: Lubna And Pebble Author: Wendy Meddour Illustrator: Daniel Egneus Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers. New York Copyright: 2019 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-052-5554-165 Hardcover pages: 32 Age range: 4-8 Genre: Picture Book Book setting: Middle East Author’s ethnicity: English Author’s residence: England Illustrator’s ethnicity: Swedish Illustrator’s residence: Athens, Greece Awards; 2020 USBBY Outstanding International Books List Subjects: Refugees

The Eleventh Hour

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Jules and Jim are childhood friends who were born on the same day in the same town in Canada.  Jim is always a little faster and a little stronger.  In 1914, when a war begins in Europe, Canada is at war with Germany.  Jules and Jim understand that their country needs them. So they enlist in the army and sail to Europe.  On the Front, conditions are muddy and barbaric.  Jules is always lagging two minutes behind Jim.  Jim gets a medal, while Jules gets stuck doing chores.  On November 11, 1918, at 11 o’ clock the fighting is supposed to stop.  But on the battlefields, not everyone gets the message.  Jules gets shot at 10:58, two minutes before the war ends.  He is the very last Canadian soldier to die in World War I.  Illustrated in a cartoon style and inspired by true events, this picture book is a thought-provoking parable. mjw

Title: The Eleventh Hour Author: Jacques Goldstyn Illustrator: Jacques Goldstyn Publisher: Owlkids Books. Toronto Copyright: 2018 Original Language: French Translator: Anne Louise Mahoney Original Title: Jules et Jim: freres d’armes Original Publisher: Bayard Canada Livres, Inc. Montreal Original Copyright: 2018 ISBN: 978-1-77147-348-4 Hardcover pages: 64 Age range: 7-10 Genre: Picture Book, Historical fiction Book setting: Canada, Germany Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Montreal Illustrator’s ethnicity: Canadian Illustrator’s residence: Montreal Subjects: Armistice, Canadian history, Military fiction, World War I

The Princess Dolls

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In 1942 Vancouver, nine-year-old best friends Esther and Michiko spot Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret dolls in their local toyshop.  They hope they can have the dolls as presents for their shared birthday. But when Esther receives a doll and Michiko doesn’t, their friendship begins to fall apart.  The story is set during a time of increasing hostility and attacks upon Japanese Canadians.  Michiko and her family are sent away to an internment camp.  Esther is Jewish and her family worries about the fate of relatives who remain in Europe.  The story does resolve in a heartwarming way.  Charming black and white drawings complement this gentle story about friendship. mjw

Title: The Princess Dolls Author: Ellen Schwartz Illustrator: Mariko Ando Publisher: Tradewind Books. Vancouver Copyright: 2018 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-926890-29-6 Paperback pages: 224 Age range: 8-11 Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: Vancouver, British Columbia Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Burnaby, British Columbia Illustrator’s ethnicity: Japanese Illustrator’s residence: Vancouver, British Columbia Subjects: Canadian history, Dolls, Injustice, Japanese internment, Racism, Toys, World War II