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 »
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 »
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 »
The White Zone By Carolyn Marsden Published by Carolrhoda Books “Marsden’s detailed descriptions of everyday life make this culture come alive.” –School Library Journal “Marsden tells a story that resonates highly in today’s society where there are many different types of chaos disrupting lives and homes worldwide.” –VOYA Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound … Continue reading »
Trouble By Gary Schmidt Published by Graphia/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt “Written by a 2008 Newbery Honor Book author, this story addresses what it means to be human, to struggle with racist feelings towards others and still be able to work towards responsibility and reconciliation.” –KLIATT “Many social issues currently in play in the United States are … Continue reading »
A Stone in my Hand By Cathryn Clinton Published by Candlewick Press “With a sharp eye for nuances of culture and the political situation in the Middle East, Clinton has created a rich, colorful cast of characters and created an emotionally charged novel.” –School Library Journal Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N … Continue reading »
My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece By Annabel Pitcher Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers “This book is a great catalyst for opening conversations about death and loss as well as difficult discussions about hatred and prejudice.” –Children’s Literature “This debut novel, set in the UK, will resonate with readers in post-9/11 America, … Continue reading »
Samir and Yonatan By Daniella Carmi Translated from Hebrew by Yael Lotan Published by Arthur A. Levine Books “This thoughtful and well-written book would be a good starting point for discussion on the current situation in the Middle East. Its easy and flowing style makes it accessible to middle schoolers, while its topic makes it equally … Continue reading »
No Safe Place By Deborah Ellis Published by Groundwood Books “Orphans of the world and victims of human trafficking need all the press they can get, and this book does a great job of introducing the topic and allowing young people to see beyond the headlines of ‘Another illegal accidentally dies in Chunnel.’ ” —Meredith Toumayan, School … Continue reading »
Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak By Deborah Ellis Published by Groundwood Books “…an accessible way of approaching a huge and difficult topic, this book should be required reading for adults who care about children living in any conflict-influenced situation, from Israel to violent neighborhoods in the United States.”—Francisca Goldsmith, VOYA Find a copy … Continue reading »
My Feet Are Laughing By Lissette Norman Illustrated by Frank Morrison Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux “My Feet Are Laughing is a positive addition to the body of multicultural children’s literature and will easily appeal to a second-generation immigrant audience through its combination of references to hip hop, the urban landscape, and life in a … Continue reading »
Help Wanted By Gary Soto Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt “Soto’s compassion for his characters and his personal humanity make him an inspiring role model for youthful Hispanic writer aspirants: but all teens will be heartened by his warm, respectful, and humorous depiction of their lives.” —Charlotte Richardson, Paper Tigers Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound … Continue reading »
Drita, My Homegirl By Jenny Lombard Published by Penguin Group “More a tale of the power of love than of refugees, this first novel is imbued with the language and customs of Kosova as well as the efforts of a family attempting to regain balance.” —Susan Oliver, School Library Journal “…For her debut novel, Lombard has created … Continue reading »
The Whispering Cloth: A Refugee’s Story By Pegi Deitz Shea Illustrated by Anita Riggio Published by Boyds Mill Press “…The stitched pictures in folk-art style distance the brutality, both showing and telling that art can be a powerful force…” —Booklist Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Mai spends her days … Continue reading »
Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl’s Story By Pegi Deitz Shea Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt “This bittersweet story balances social and intellectual pursuits against the strained relations of a family tapping roots into a new homeland, and it shows the emotions behind weighing cultural affiliations against the sway of progress and prosperity. ” —Alison Follos, School Library … Continue reading »
