Theme: loss of mother

The Swan Kingdom

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

Shadows fall across the beautiful, lush kingdom after the queen is attacked by an unnatural beast, and the healing skills of her daughter, Alexandra, cannot save her. Too soon the widowed king is spellbound by a frightening stranger, a woman whose eyes reflect no light. In a terrifying moment, all Alexandra knows disappears, including her [...]

Descriptors: England (UK), Fantasy, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Parade of Shadows

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

In 1907, sixteen-year-old Julia Hamilton, happy to accompany her diplomat father on a tour of the Ottoman-controlled cities of Istambul, Damascus, Palmyra, and Aleppo, soon finds the journey increasingly hazardous as she begins to uncover her father’s true mission and the secret motivations of the other travelers in their group.

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

A Swift Pure Cry

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

Ireland 1984.After Shell’s mother dies, her obsessively religious father descends into alcoholic mourning and Shell is left to care for her younger brother and sister. Her only release from the harshness of everyday life comes from her budding spiritual friendship with a naive young priest, and most importantly, her developing relationship with childhood friend, Declan, [...]

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

Swimming in the Monsoon Sea

By Rebecca Ballenger | Published: October 29, 2008

The setting is Sri Lanka, 1980, and it is the season of monsoons. Fourteen-year-old Amrith is caught up in the life of the cheerful, well-to-do household in which he is being raised by his vibrant Auntie Bundle and kindly Uncle Lucky. He tries not to think of his life “before,” when his doting mother was [...]

Descriptors: Canada, Historical Fiction, Sri Lanka, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , » Leave a comment

Andrei’s Search

By Kathy G. Short | Published: March 14, 2007

Andrei and Vova set out in the great city of St. Petersburg to find Andrei’s mama.

Descriptors: Europe, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction, Sweden » Other Themes: , , , » Comments closed