Books

The Shepherd’s Granddaughter

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: January 3, 2010

Amani longs to be a shepherd like her beloved grandfather Sido, who has tended his flock for generations, grazing sheep on their family’s homestead near Hebron. Amani loves Sido’s many stories, especially one about a secret meadow called the Firdoos. But as outside forces begin to encroach upon this hotly contested land, Amani struggles to [...]

Posted in Intermediate (ages 9-14), Palestine, Realistic Fiction | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: December 17, 2009

Much has been written about war and remembrance, but very little of it has been for young children. As questions come from a young grandchild, his grandpa talks about how, as a very young man, he was as proud as a peacock in uniform, busy as a beaver on his Atlantic crossing, and brave as [...]

Posted in Canada, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Why War is Never a Good Idea

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: December 17, 2009

Though War is Old
It has not
Become wise.
Poet and activist Alice Walker personifies the power and wanton devastation of war in this evocative poem.
Stefano Vitale’s compelling paintings illustrate this unflinching look at war’s destructive nature and unforeseen consequences.

Posted in International, Picture Book, Poetry, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Killer’s Tears

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: December 17, 2009

On the afternoon when Angel Allegria arrives at the Poloverdos’ farmhouse, he kills the farmer and his wife. But he spares their child, Paolo–a young boy who will claim this as the day on which he was born. Together the killer and the boy begin a new life on this remote and rugged stretch of [...]

Posted in Chile, Drama, Young Adult (ages 14-18) | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

One Hen: How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: November 10, 2009

Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many.

Posted in Africa, Ghana, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Rebel!

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: November 8, 2009

When the General marches into Burma to take over, one student is brave enough to rebel.

Posted in Historical Fiction, Primary (ages 6-9), Union of Myanmar | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cooper’s Lesson

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: November 8, 2009

Cooper’s Lesson is an inspiring story about identity and intergenerational friendship, featuring a young biracial boy, written in both English and Korean. Cooper has had about enough of being half and half. And he’s really had enough of Mr. Lee, the owner of his neighborhood grocery store, speaking to him in Korean even though Cooper [...]

Posted in Fiction, Korea, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Yoon and the Jade Bracelet

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: November 8, 2009

Yoon wants a jump rope for her birthday so she can play with the other girls in the school yard. Instead, Yoon’s mother gives her a Korean storybook about a silly girl who is tricked by a tiger. Yoon also receives a jade bracelet that once belonged to her grandmother. The next day at school, [...]

Posted in Fiction, Korea, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: November 4, 2009

Once upon a time, in Mexico . . . in Ireland . . . in Zimbabwe . . . there lived a girl who worked all day in the rice fields . . . then spent the night by the hearth, sleeping among the cinders.
Her name is Ashpet, Sootface, Cendrillon . . . Cinderella. Her [...]

Posted in Folklore, International, Primary (ages 6-9), Short Stories | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dragonwings

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: November 3, 2009

Moon shadow is eight years old when he sails from China to join his father, Windrider, in America. Windrider lives in San Francisco and makes his living doing laundry. Father and son have never met, but Moon Shadow grows to love and respect his father and to believe in his wonderful dream. And Windrider, with [...]

Posted in Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), United States of America, Young Adult (ages 14-18) | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment