I'm Your Neighbor Books

Maine’s New Arrivals Featured in 7 Books

Maine authors, illustrators, and publishers have opened their notebooks, sketchbooks, and curiosity to the arrival of “new neighbors.” Seven books have been released in the past few years depicting the growing cultural diversity of “the whitest state in the nation” through the arrival of students, business people, refugees, and secondary migrants from all over the … Continue reading »

Author Profile: Maria Padian

We couldn’t quite wait until February to share Maria Padian’s latest book Out of Nowhere, which follows high school senior Tom Bouchard and the events that impact the Somali refugees his small Maine town after 9/11. Although you can’t find it on bookshelves just yet, hopefully this view into Maria’s inspiration for her title will … Continue reading »

Author Profile: Randa Abdel-Fattah

One of our favorite authors here at I’m Your Neighbor is Randa Abdel-Fattah. Her books Does My Head Look Big In This? and Ten Things I Hate About Me give terrific insight to the lives of teenage girls growing up Muslim in a Western society. Her characters face challenges as they try to balance their … Continue reading »

A Game for Swallows

A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return By Zeina Abirached Translated by Edward Gauvin Published by Graphic Universe “For young readers, “A Game for Swallows” will come as a revelation. At a time when the Middle East is still in turmoil and when Americans have suffered losses of electricity and other necessities … Continue reading »

A Song for Bijou

A Song for Bijou By Josh Farrar Published by Walker Children’s Farrar handles race and the complexities of interracial relationships by implication, through Alex’s discovery of the vibrant, new (to him) world just blocks away. A solid, timely effort.” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Life … Continue reading »

After Peaches

After Peaches By Michelle Mulder Published by Orca Young Readers “Written in first person with clarity and understanding, this chapter book reflects the experiences and emotions of the many immigrant children who work to fit in despite sometimes feeling ill at ease in their new countries.” –Booklist Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | … Continue reading »

Journey of Dreams

Journey of Dreams By Marge Pellegrino Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “This novel will captivate both Latin American survivors of civil war and their peers. Outstanding.” –Kirkus Reviews “the plot’s twists and turns…exemplify the lives of ordinary people caught up in horrific times and circumstances.” –Children’s Literature Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound … Continue reading »

Mahtab’s Story

Mahtab’s Story By Libby Gleeson Published by Allen and Unwin “Gleeson has created a protagonist with the strength of a woman yet the naïveté of a child. Her writing style is fluid, and it captures readers’ attention from the very beginning.” –School Library Journal Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N … Continue reading »

Alive in the Killing Fields

Alive in the Killing Fields: Surviving the Khmer Rouge Genocide By Nawuth Keat and Martha Kendall Published by National Geographic Children’s Books “This is a powerful story and one that will open the eyes of its readers in terms of what people are capable of, both good and bad.” –Children’s Literature Find a copy at … Continue reading »

Mohammed’s Journey

Mohammed’s Journey: A Refugee Diary By Anthony Robinson and Annemarie Young Illustrated by June Allan Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “As students begin to study the reality of our world and the plight of refugees, this title is useful for its perspective.” –School Library Journal Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N … Continue reading »

Gervelie’s Journey

Gervelie’s Journey: A Refugee Story By Anthony Robinson and Annemarie Young Illustrated by June Allan Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “Gervelie’s Journey…will be invaluable tools both for refugees who may be seeking mirrors of their own experiences; and for helping to promote understanding among children who welcome refugees into their neighborhoods and schools.” –Marjorie … Continue reading »

Hamzat’s Journey

Hamzat’s Journey: A Refugee Diary By Anthony Robinson and Annemarie Young Illustrated by June Allan Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “Photos of the real-life Hamzat and of his town are the most compelling element of the work.” –School Library Journal Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description This third … Continue reading »

Meltem’s Journey

Meltem’s Journey: A Refugee Diary By Anthony Robinson Illustrated by June Allan Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “Starkly realistic and eye-opening, if emotionally difficult.” –Kirkus Reviews “The book succeeds in its encouragement of understanding and empathy for Meltem and other refugee children.” –Books for Keeps Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N … Continue reading »

Now is the Time for Running

Now is the Time for Running By Michael Williams Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers “Williams skillfully draws the plight of these refugee brothers with both suspense and sympathy, and readers cannot help but root for them in their quest to rebuild their broken lives.” –Horn Books Find a copy at Amazon | … Continue reading »

Give Me Shelter

Give Me Shelter Edited By Tony Bradman Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Book “It is a seriously important book…Most of all, we learn about the loneliness of being a refugee in a strange country.” –David Self, Paper Tigers Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description The phrase ‘asylum-seeker’ is one we … Continue reading »

Armel’s Revenge

Armel’s Revenge By Nicki Cornwell Illustrated by Erika Pal Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “A brave story that highlights how prejudices and hatred can influence the same families for generations.” –IBBY Link Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Christophe’s been given the job of looking after … Continue reading »

Weeping Under This Same Moon

Weeping Under the Same Moon By Jana Laiz Published by Crow Flies Press “This heartrending story really rings true and is impossible to ignore, especially since it’s based on real events.” –VOYA “…the book vividly portrays very different yet intersecting worlds.” –George Rupp, President, The International Rescue Committee Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound … Continue reading »

Christophe’s Story

Christophe’s Story By Nicki Cornwell Illustrated by Karin Littlewood Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books “…Cornwell is able to convey the horror without the distance of an outside voice. It’s a powerful indictment of the savagery of war and its effect on those caught in its path.” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | … Continue reading »