Tag Archives: War

In Search Of The Little Prince: The Story Of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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In 1942,  Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote the beloved classic, The Little Prince. This picture book biography follows “Tonio” (what Saint-Exupéry is called in the book)  as he grows up to be a man who is fascinated by flying. Tonio becomes interested in writing when he is incapable of flying a plane any longer. He finds a new way to journey to far away places through his writing. The book features photographs of  Antoine at the beginning of the book, text explaining the inspiration for The Little Prince, and full-page illustrations with a lush palette of colors showcasing the vivid dreams and imagination of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s world. ema

Title: In Search Of The Little Prince: The Story Of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Author: Bimba Landmann Illustrator: Bimba Landmann Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Copyright: 2014 Original Language: Italian Translator: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers Original Title: Antoine de Saint-Expéry in cerca del piccolo principe Original Publisher: Edizioni ARKA S.r.l., Via Raffaello Sanzio Original Copyright: 2013 ISBN: 978-0-8028-5435-3 Hardcover pages: 34 Age range: 6 up Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book  Book setting: France, Africa, and  New York Author’s ethnicity: Italian Author’s residence: Milan Illustrator’s ethnicity: Italian Illustrator’s residence: Milan Awards: A 2015 Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year Subjects: Air Pilots, Arts, Biography, French Authors, Writers

Climbing The Stairs

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Fifteen year-old Vidya has aspirations of attending college, but this is rare for a girl living in British-occupied India during World War II. When misfortune falls upon Vidya’s family, they are forced to live with her father’s family which is a traditional Indian household where women are expected to be married and not educated. Vidya feels suffocated by the lifestyle, but she feels like she can breathe a bit easier when she discovers her grandfather’s library. In the library, Vidya gains a new friend who encourages her to pursue her education. Unfortunately, it is when Vidya finally feels that she finds some comfort in the house that her brother unexpectedly leaves. This  moving story about a young woman overcoming political and her own inner turmoils will effectively enlighten readers about Hindi words, traditions, religious festivals, and historical events that occurred during a critical time in Indian history. ema

Title: Climbing The Stairs Author: Padma Venkatraman Publisher: Speak, an imprint of Puffin Books Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English  ISBN: 978-0142414903 Paperback pages: 254 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: India during WWII Author’s ethnicity: Indian Author’s residence: America Awards: A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, A Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year, An ALA/YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, An 2009 ALA/Amelia Bloomer Book, A Book Sense Notable, A Publishers Weekly Flying Start Selection, A Booklist Editor’s Choice Subjects: Brain damage, British occupation of India, Gender roles, Prejudices, World War II

The God Beneath The Sea

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The ancient Greek gods and goddesses are brilliantly reimagined in this novel which combines classic Greek myths together to create one continuous story. The story begins when a hideous shrieking baby, later known as Hephaestus, falls into the sea and is raised by sea goddesses Thetis and Eurynome. From then on readers discover the origins of gods and man. This classic of English children’s literature with macabre illustrations effectively introduces young readers to Greek Mythology. ema

Title: The God Beneath The Sea Author: Leon Garfield (1921-1996) and Edward Blishen (1920-1996) Illustrator: Charles Keeping (1924- 1988) Publisher: Doubleday Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English Original Title: The God Beneath The Sea Original Publisher: Pantheon Books Original Copyright: 1970 ISBN: 978-0-875-53311-1 Paperback pages: 215 Age range: 12 up Genre: Greek Mythology, Fiction Book setting: Ancient Greece Author’s ethnicity: Both English Illustrator’s ethnicity: English Awards: 1970 Carnegie Medal Subjects: Greek gods and goddesses,  Mythology, Reimaginings, Retellings

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

Where The Streets Had A Name

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Thirteen-year-old Palestinian Hayaat and her family have been uprooted from their home and are living behind the Israeli-built Separation Wall in Bethlehem on the occupied West Bank. She and her soccer-loving, Christian friend Sami decide to journey across the wall to Jerusalem, with an empty hummus jar, to get a handful of soil from her ailing grandmother’s beloved ancestral home. It is only a few miles, but checkpoints, curfews, barriers, and the permit system make crossing the border dangerous. They encounter armed soldiers, an Israeli peace activist couple, fellow travelers, and a young boy who needs a friend. Humor and a loving family keep the story light despite the violence, anguish, and suspense in the realistic 2004 war zone setting. This fascinating and heart-breaking story does end on a hopeful note.   A Glossary enhances the understanding of Arabic words used throughout the novel, which was written by the acclaimed author of the young adult novel Does My Head Look Big in This? mjw

Title: Where The Streets Had A Name Author: Randa Abdel-Fattah Publisher: Scholastic Press, New York Copyright: 2010 Original Language: English Original Publisher: Pan Macmillan, Australia Original Copyright: 2008 ISBN: 978-0-545-17292-9 Hardcover pages: 313 Age range: 10-13 Genre: Fiction Book setting: Jerusalem, Israel.  Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine Author’s ethnicity: Palestinian and Egyptian heritage Author’s residence: Sydney, Australia Awards: 2011 Middle East Outreach Council Youth Literature Award Subjects: Arab-Israeli conflict, Grandmothers, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Palestinian Arabs

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

The Servant

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At the age of 15,  Faten is forced to leave her happy life in her mountain village as she travels to the city of Beirut where she begins work as a maid to help her family make ends meet.  For two years Faten works tirelessly, barely able to find a spare moment for herself. This strong-willed, determined young woman longs for more in life and she begins to pursue her dream of attending university to become a nurse with the help of her handsome, blonde neighbor, Marwan.  Marwan graciously arranges the exams Faten will need to get into university and a romance begins to unfold.  Unfortunately, Faten is spotted on an outing with Marwan, word travels to her boss, and Faten is fired from her job.  Upon returning home to her village, Faten is chastised. She must earn her father’s understanding and forgiveness so she can return to Beirut where she can continue independently in her journey for a better, more fulfilling purpose in life.  This third-person narrative highlights the ambitious, hopeful spirit of a young woman living in the late 1980s in a war-torn Lebanese society. cc

Title: The Servant Author: Fatima Sharafeddine Illustrator: Colin Jack Publisher:  Groundwood Books/ House of Anansi Press Copyright: 2013 Original Language: Arabic Translator: Fatima Sharafeddine Original Title: Faten Original Publisher: Kalimat Original Copyright: 2010 ISBN: 978-1-55498-307-0 Hardcover pages: 144 Age range: 13 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Lebanon Author’s ethnicity: Lebanese Author’s residence: United States Subjects: Household workers, Lebanon, Maids, Self-realization, War

Rose Under Fire

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American Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) pilot, Rose Justice, is captured by the Nazis and is sent to the women’s concentration camp, Ravenshrück. She finds solace in her “camp family” that encourages her  to write about medically experimented upon Polish women. Even in bleak circumstances, Rose finds beauty, bravery, and the hope she will tell the world what she has seen. This heart-wrenching companion  to Code Name Verity by the same author has stunning writing, fascinating characters, and gorgeous imagery. ema

Title: Rose Under Fire Author:  Elizabeth Wein Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4231-8309-9 Hardcover pages: 368 Age range: Young Adult Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: England, Scotland, France, and Germany in WWII Author’s ethnicity: English; born in New York City Author’s residence: Scotland Awards: 2014 Schneider Family Book Award Winner, 2014 Josette Frank Award Winner, 2014 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book, 2014 Golden Kite Award Honor Book Subjects: Adventure, Air Pilots, Concentration Camps, Death, Families, Flying, Female Friendships, Friends, Historical Fiction, Hope, Language, Nazis, Planes, Poetry,  Relationships,  War, Women Air Pilots, World War II

The Secret Sky: A Novel Of Forbidden Love In Afghanistan

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This modern Romeo and Juliet story of sorts, set in Afghanistan, is narrated by three of the main characters. Samiullah, a Pashtun boy, and Fatima, a Hazara girl, are two innocent teenagers who fall in love. Their ethnic groups differ and do not get along because of their historical backgrounds. Their desire to get married disgraces their families and sets a series of horrific events in motion. The third narrator is Samiullah’s cousin Rashid, the villain, who has fallen under the influence of the Taliban. He has seen Samiullah and Fatima together, assumes the worst, and turns them in to the local Taliban. Disturbing depictions of physical, emotional, and sexual violence against men, women, and children; amazing acts of kindness, bravery, and sacrifice; vivid imagery; complex characters; and a suspenseful ending make the book unputdownable. Though fictional, this powerful and hopeful love story paints a realistic picture of the conflicts and culture clashes in Afghanistan today. The author was a foreign news correspondent in Kabul for nearly five years. mjw

Title: The Secret Sky: A Novel of Forbidden Love In Afghanistan Author: Atia Abawi Publisher: Philomel Books, Penguin Young Readers Group Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0-399-16078-3 Hardcover pages: 320 Age range: 14 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Afghanistan Author’s ethnicity: Afghani Author’s residence: Jerusalem Awards: 2015 South Asia Book Award – Highly Commended, 2015 Amelia Bloomer List Subjects: Conflict, Culture, Ethnic relations, Family relations, Hazaras, Love, Marriage, Pushtuns, Social justice, Talibans

Code Name Verity

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A British pilot’s plane crashes down in Nazi occupied France. “Kittyhawk” has a chance of survival, but her friend “Verity” is unlikely to survive. Verity is captured by the Gestapo and can either reveal her mission or be gruesomely tortured. Careful attention to historical detail makes Verity and Kittyhawk’s story believable. This riveting tale told in journal entries with literary references and plot twists is about a beautiful friendship forged in a dark time in history. ema

Title: Code Name Verity Author: Elizabeth Wein Publisher:  Disney-Hyperion Copyright: 2012 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1423152194 Hardcover pages: 352 Age range: 14 up Genre: Historical Fiction Book setting: England, France, and Scotland  Author’s ethnicity: American; grew up abroad Author’s residence: Scotland Awards:UK Literary Association Award Winner, 2013 Edgar Award Winner, 2013 Printz Honor Book, 2012 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award Honor Book, Shortlisted for the 2013 CILIP Carnegie Award, Golden Kite Award Honor Book, Shortlisted for the 2012 Scottish Children’s Book Award Subjects: Adventure, Air Pilots, Espionage, Families, Flying, Female Friendships, Friends, Historical Fiction, Language, Nazis, Planes, Spies, War, Women Air Pilots, World War Two

A Moment Comes

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Set preceding the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, this story of turmoil and politics is told from the alternating points of view of three very different narrators. Margaret is a privileged British girl, living in India because her father is one of the cartographers finalizing the borders that will divide the country into two separate religious states. She is spoiled and finds India hot, loud, and dangerous, but is enthralled by the culture. Anupreet, a beautiful Sikh girl, once confined to her home to protect her from violent angry men, is employed as a maid for Margaret’s family, where her family believes she will be safe. Eighteen-year-old Tariq, a Muslim, hired as a translator for Margaret’s father, is caught between his forbidden interest in Anupreet and Margaret, who might be able to help with his goal of studying at Oxford. It is a dark and violent time, when no one is safe. Ultimately, 10 to 14 million people in India relocated and over one million died as a result. The time of Partition is underexplored in Western literature, especially in young adult historical fiction. A Glossary defines words used in the book and also mentions places and foods.   An Author’s Note offers even more information and details Bradbury’s connection to India. mjw

Title: A Moment Comes Author: Jennifer Bradbury Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster, New York Copyright: 2013 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-1-4169-7876-3 Hardcover pages: 288 Age range: 12 up Genre: Historical fiction Book setting: Jalandhar, India Author’s ethnicity: U.S. Author’s residence: U.S.  Author has lived in India. Awards: 2014 South Asia Book Award Subjects: Culture, Household employees, India, Muslims, Pakistan, Partition 1947, Punjabi, Radcliffe Line, Sikhs, Tolerance

Walking Home

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Thirteen-year-old Muchoki and his seven-year-old sister Jata lived, attended school, and played in their bustling Kenyan village until political violence broke out in 2007. Their father was killed, their village was destroyed, and they were forced to move into an overcrowded refugee camp with their ailing mother. When their mother died, they set off on what seemed like an impossible journey over 150 kilometers of Kenyan wilderness and slums to find their grandparents they had never met. It was a dangerous journey for the loveable and brave siblings. Tribal fighting, wild animals, and finding food and shelter were some of the obstacles they faced. The interesting overview of the cultural, political, and geographical landscape of Kenya in this story is filled with determination, charity, and faith. The author walked the same route himself from Mara, up the Rift Valley, down to Nairobi, through Kibera, along the Mombasa highway, to the mountains of Kikima. The author’s website www.ericwalterswalkinghome.com brings Jata and Muchoki’s trek alive. There are symbols throughout the book indicating when readers might want to access the site’s special features, such as pictures, maps, videos, songs, and readings. Proceeds from the book go to the Creation of Hope, an organization that helps provide for orphans in Kenya. mjw

Title: Walking Home Author: Eric Walters Publisher: Doubleday Canada Copyright: 2014 Original Language: English ISBN: 978-0385-68157-5 Paperback pages: 304 Age range: 10 up Genre: Fiction Book setting: Kenya Author’s ethnicity: Canadian Author’s residence: Ontario, Canada Awards: 2013 Children’s Africana Book Award Subjects: Brothers and sisters, Kenya, Nairobi, Orphans, Political violence, Refugees, Survival