Parvana's Journey

Parvana's Journey

Written by: Deborah Ellis

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"This sequel to The Breadwinner (Groundwood, 2001) easily stands alone. After her father's death, 13-year-old Parvana, disguised as a boy, wanders alone through war-torn Afghanistan looking for her mother and siblings who had disappeared in the tumult of the Taliban takeover of Mazar-e-Sharif. Early in her journey, Parvana comes across a baby, the only survivor in a bombed village. She takes him along, as both a burden and comforting company.

Taking shelter in a small cave, she discovers an angry one-legged boy who is starved for both food and human companionship. Imagining treasure in their cave, they dig, only to find a cache of bullets-a scene that epitomizes what childhood has become for these young people. The three continue Parvana's search, stopping for a time in an apparent safe haven on the edge of a minefield where an eight-year-old lives with a near-comatose grandmother. When their refuge is destroyed, the four children join a long line of refugees, arriving finally at a camp. A bittersweet ending offers some hope for Parvana and her family, but readers are left with a horrifyingly realistic picture of the effect of war on children. While the reading is not difficult, the grim content cries out for discussion. An unforgettable read."

School Library Journal Review

Web Resources:
http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001973.shtml

The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner

Written by: Deborah Ellis

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, 11-year-old Parvana has rarely been outdoors. Barred from attending school, shopping at the market, or even playing in the streets of Kabul, the heroine of Deborah Ellis's engrossing children's novel The Breadwinner is trapped inside her family's one-room home. That is, until the Taliban hauls away her father and Parvana realizes that it's up to her to become the "breadwinner" and disguise herself as a boy to support her mother, two sisters, and baby brother. Set in the early years of the Taliban regime, this topical novel for middle readers explores the harsh realities of life for girls and women in modern-day Afghanistan."

Amazon.com Review

Web Resources:
http://www.woostersch.org/library/Breadwinner/Breadwinner.html
http://unjobs.org/authors/deborah-ellis

Miracle's Boys

Miracle's Boys

Written by: Jacqueline Woodson

Junior High and High School Grades

"For Lafayette and his brothers, the challenges of growing up in New York City are compounded by the facts that they've lost their parents and it's up to eldest brother Ty'ree to support the boys, and middle brother Charlie has just returned home from a correctional facility.

Lafayette loves his brothers and would do anything if they could face the world as a team. But even though Ty'ree cares, he's just so busy with work and responsibility. And Charlie's changed so much that his former affection for his little brother has turned to open hostility.

Now, as Lafayette approaches 13, he needs the guidance and answers only his brothers can give him. The events of one dramatic weekend force the boys to make the choice to be there for each other--to really see each other--or to give in to the pain and problems of every day."

Publishers Synopsis

Web Resources:
http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/miraclesboys.asp

After Tupac and D Foster

After Tupac and D Foster

Written by: Jacqueline Woodson

Junior High and High School Grades

“The summer before D Foster’s real mama came and took her away, Tupac wasn’t dead yet.” From this first line in her quiet, powerful novel, Woodson cycles backward through the events that lead to dual tragedies: a friend’s departure and a hero’s death. In a close-knit African American neighborhood in Queens, New York, the unnamed narrator lives across from her best friend, Neeka. Then D Foster wanders onto the block, and the three 11-year-old girls quickly become inseparable. Because readers know from the start where the plot is headed, the characters and the community form the focus here. A subplot about Neeka’s older brother, a gay man serving prison time after being framed for a hate crime, sometimes threatens to overwhelm the girls’ story. But Woodson balances the plotlines with subtle details, authentic language, and rich development. Beautifully capturing the girls’ passage from childhood to adolescence, this is a memorable, affecting novel about the sustaining power of love and friendship and each girl’s developing faith in her own “Big Purpose.”

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://www.jacquelinewoodson.com/ya.shtml

A Party in Ramadan

A Party in Ramadan

Written by: Asma Mobin-Uddin
Illustrated by: Laura Jacobson

Elementary Grades

"This warm picture book shows and tells the observance and meaning of Ramadan through the viewpoint of a Muslim child. Leena is happy to be invited to her friend’s birthday party, although it turns out that the event is on a day during Ramadan when Leena plans to fast with her family. She attends the party and has lots of fun, even though she does not eat or drink. It’s hard for her when everyone else eats chocolate cake, and a close-up picture shows her stress and exhaustion as she maintains her fast. Her loving dad offers support and tells her, “It’s not easy sometimes.” Finally the time comes to break her fast, and as she says the traditional Arabic prayers, she realizes what the day has taught her. The blend of the upbeat and challenging moments will spark discussion, and a final note fills in more about the holy month."

Booklist Review

Web Resources:
http://www.asmamobinuddin.com/books.html

My Name is Bilal

My Name is Bilal

Written by: Asma Mobin-Uddin
Illustrated by: Barbara Kiwak

Upper Elementary and Junior High Grades

"Bilal and his sister, Ayesha, who are Muslim, start school in a new city. At first Bilal tries to blend into the largely non-Muslim environment, calling himself Bill and ducking out of sight when two boys try to pull off Ayesha's head scarf. Encouraged by a sympathetic teacher and his own faith, Bilal finds the courage to stand up with his sister the next time the boys tease her. Bilal and Ayesha point out to their adversaries that they too were born in America and that being American means that they can wear what they want. By standing up for his sister, Bilal earns the boys' respect and takes the first step toward a possible friendship.

The story is told in picture-book format, though the text is longer than that of most picture books. In the illustrations, the students appear to be in middle school, but the book is accessible to younger children as well. This book is a good starting place for discussions of cultural differences, prejudice, and respect for the beliefs of others."

Booklist Review

Online Resources:
http://www.asmamobinuddin.com/QA.html

My Name is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela

My Name is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral/la vida de Gabriela Mistral

Written and Illustrated by: Monica Brown

Elementary Grades

"Gabriela Mistral loved words and sounds and stories. Born in Chile, she would grow to become the first Nobel Prize-winning Latina woman in the world. As a poet and a teacher, she inspired children across many countries to let their voices be heard. This beautifully crafted story, where words literally come to life, is told with the rhythm and melody of a poem. The second in Luna Rising's bilingual storybook biography series. My Name is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela is beautiful tribute to a woman who taught us the power of words and the importance of following our dreams. The story of Gabriela Mistral will continue to inspire children everywhere."

Publishers Synopsis

Online Resources:
http://www.monicabrown.net/books/gabriela.html
http://pdfs.nbnbooks.com/NB/N_S/NBN_SM_0873588592.pdf