Theme: sense of belonging

An Island Like You: Stories of the Barrio

A collection of stories captures the lives of different teenagers growing up in the barrio, including Rita, who goes to live with her grandparents in Puerto Rico; Luis, who spends his days working at his father’s junkyard; and Sandra, who tries to rediscover her natural Latino beauty.
Descriptors: Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Realistic Fiction, Short Stories, United States of America, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

A Movie in My Pillow/Una Pelicula en mi almohada: Poems/Poemas

A young boy with two homelands and a delightful sense of wonder comes to life in Jorge Argueta’s first collection of poems for children. Young Jorgito lives in San Francisco’s Mission District, but he hasn’t forgotten his native El Salvador. He recalls the volcanoes, the tasty cornmeal pupusas, and his grandmother’s stories. As he changes [...]
Descriptors: Poetry, Primary (Gr. K-3), United States of America » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Celandine (David Fickling Books)

Set seventy years before The Various, the second book in the trilogy follows the adventures of young Celandine at the onset of the First World War. Having run away from her detested boarding school, Celandine is too afraid to go home in case she is sent back. As she seeks shelter in the Wild Wood [...]
Descriptors: England (UK), Fantasy, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Muktar and the Camels

Muktar lives in an orphanage on the border of Kenya and Somalia. He daydreams about his old life with his family and especially tending to camels. One day, visitors arrive bearing books, and Muktar’s friend Ismail is excited; so is Muktar, but for a different reason—the visitors are riding on camels. Muktar quickly discovers that [...]
Descriptors: Africa, Kenya, Primary (Gr. K-3), Realistic Fiction, Somalia » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Marwe: Into the Land of the Dead (Graphic Universe)

Marwe lives in a village where food is scarce. She tries to be obedient, but it’s hard to spend every day working in the field. When her carelessness ruins the village’s crops, she’s too scared to face her angry family and runs away to the stranges Land of the Dead. Marawe knows she doesn’t belong [...]
Descriptors: Africa, Folklore, Graphic Novel, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Tanzania » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Ugly Duckling

Set in the wilds of Africa, Caldecott Honor winner Rachel Isadora’s stunning interpretation of the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale portrays African animals and landscapes with beautiful detail. As the ugly duckling searches for a place where he can fit in, Isadora’s vibrant collages capture the beauty in everything from glistening feathers to shimmering [...]
Descriptors: Africa, Folklore, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Flight to Freedom

In Flight to Freedom, Anna Veciana-Suarez brings us Yara, an eighth-grader who lives in a middle-class neighborhood of 1967 Havana, Cuba. Her parents, who do not share the political beliefs of the Communist party, finally are forces to flee Cuba with their children to Miami, Florida. There, Yara records in her diary the difficulties she [...]
Descriptors: Caribbean, Cuba, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Realistic Fiction, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Cuckoo’s Child

Eleven-year-old Mia refuses to believe that her parents are not coming back after they are reported lost at sea. In 1962, Mia’s parents suddenly disappear while sailing off the coast of Greece. Mia and her two sisters are returned to the United States to the custody of her aunt they barely know. Mia wishes for [...]
Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Lebanon, United States of America, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

A Handful of Seeds

One sad day, Grandmother died. “You cannot stay here,” said the man who owned the land. “I have a family ready to move in.” Young Concepcion has no choice but to move to the [barrio] of the nearby city. There she meets children who, in order to survive, must steal the good they eat. But [...]
Descriptors: Latin America, Primary (Gr. K-3), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Going Home (Trophy Picture Books)

On the heels of their Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night, Eve Bunting and David Diaz have created a dazzling new picture book that glows with holiday joy and the spirit of Mexico. Carlos and his family are going home for Christmas—across the border from California to Mexico. Mama and Papa are excited, but Carlos and his [...]
Descriptors: All Ages, Mexico, Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment
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