Theme: freedom

Milon and the Lion

By Book Importer | Published: January 11, 2012

Young slave Milon starts his journey at home in Athens. When he sets sail on a ship bound for Italy his adventures really begin. He narrowly escapes with his life in Pompei as the great volcano Vesuvius erupts and destroys the town; he experiences the colourful life of the metropolis of Alexandria in Egypt, and [...]

Descriptors: Europe, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Italy » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Other Half of Life

By Book Importer | Published: December 12, 2011

A heartbreaking novel based on the true story of a World War II voyage.In May of 1939, the SS St. Francis sets sail from Germany, carrying German Jews and other refugees away from Hitler’s regime. The passengers believe they are bound for freedom in Cuba and eventually the United States, but not all of them [...]

Descriptors: Caribbean, Cuba, Germany, Historical Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Pet Shop Revolution

By Book Importer | Published: November 21, 2011

A fearless fur and feather escape. Viva la revolution! Mr. Walnut just might be the world’s meanest pet shop owner! His pet shop is cold and dark, and the animals all live in very small cages. When a little girl named Mina can’t find her pet bunny, she’s sure that she must have gotten scooped [...]

Descriptors: Europe, Fantasy, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Spain » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

The Midnight Zoo

By Book Importer | Published: September 26, 2011

Twelve-year-old Andrej, nine-year-old Tomas, and their baby sister Wilma flee their Romany encampment when it is attacked by Germans during World War II, and in an abandoned town they find a zoo where the animals tell their stories, helping the children understand what has become of their lives and what it means to be free.

Descriptors: Europe, Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Old Dog

By Book Importer | Published: September 7, 2011

Perro Viejo was taken away from his mother at birth and has known no other life than that of servitude on a sugar plantation. His name, which means “Old Dog,” was given to him by the plantation master because, like the bloodhounds that chased fugitive slaves, Perro Viejo is always searching for the scent of [...]

Descriptors: Americas, Cuba, Historical Fiction, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Great Bear

By Book Importer | Published: August 15, 2011

Once there was a dancing circus bear who spent her days in a cold, hard cage. Each night she was led to the town square, where acrobats, trapeze artists, and clowns performed for a boisterous crowd. The bear performed, too, year in and year out, lifting her feet and swaying to the music of trumpets, [...]

Descriptors: Australia, Fantasy, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Perfect Crane

By Book Importer | Published: July 6, 2011

A lonely Japanese magician gains friends through the paper crane that he brings to life but then must set free.

Descriptors: Asia, Fantasy, Japan, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Ship of the Dead

By Book Importer | Published: May 10, 2011

In order to save his one true love and prevent the destruction of the earth, Dane the Defiant must defeat an old–and undead–enemy.

Descriptors: Europe, Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Scandinavia » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Bite of the Mango

By Book Importer | Published: May 10, 2011

The astounding story of one girl’s journey from war victim to UNICEF Special Representative.As a child in a small rural village in Sierra Leone, Mariatu Kamara lived peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Rumors of rebel attacks were no more than a distant worry.But when 12-year-old Mariatu set out for a neighboring village, she never [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Nonfiction, Sierra Leone, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , » 6 Comments

Seeds of Change

By Book Importer | Published: May 3, 2011

A picture book biography of scientist Wangari Maathai, the first African womanand first environmentalistto win a Nobel Peace Prize (in 2004), for her work planting trees in her native Kenya.

Descriptors: Africa, Biography, Kenya, Nonfiction, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment