Theme: Poverty

The Hangman in the Mirror

By Book Importer | Published: September 26, 2011

Françoise Laurent has never had an easy life. The only surviving child of a destitute washerwoman and wayward soldier, she must rely only on herself to get by. When her parents die suddenly from the smallpox ravishing New France, Françoise sees it as a chance to escape the life she thought she was trapped in.
Seizing [...]

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

Fallen Grace

By Book Importer | Published: September 19, 2011

In Victorian London, impoverished fifteen-year-old orphan Grace takes care of her older but mentally unfit sister Lily, and after enduring many harsh and painful experiences, the two become the victims of a fraud perpetrated by the wealthy owners of several funeral businesses.

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

Biblioburro

By Book Importer | Published: July 6, 2011

Luis loves to read, but soon his house in Colombia is so full of books there’s barely room for the family. What to do? Then he comes up with the perfect solution–a traveling library! He buys two donkeys–Alfa and Beto–and travels with them throughout the land, bringing books and reading to the children in faraway [...]

Descriptors: Biography, Colombia, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , » 5 Comments

The Talking Pot

By Book Importer | Published: June 9, 2011

A retelling of a Danish tale in which a magical talking pot causes a poor family to triumph over a rich couple.

Descriptors: Denmark, Early Years (ages 2-6), Europe, Folklore, Picture Book, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , » Leave a comment

The Impudent Rooster

By Book Importer | Published: May 5, 2011

Using his amazing swallowing ability, a rooster foils the evil plans of a greedy nobleman and brings back riches to his poor master.

Descriptors: Early Years (ages 2-6), Folklore, Picture Book, Romania » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Anna Hibiscus

By Book Importer | Published: May 3, 2011

Anna Hibiscus lives in Africa. Amazing Africa. She lives with her whole family in a wonderful house. There is always somebody to laugh or play with. She loves to splash in the sea with her cousins and have parties with her aunties. But more than anything else in the world, Anna Hibiscus would love to [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Primary (ages 6-9), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

This Thing Called the Future

By Book Importer | Published: May 3, 2011

Khosi lives with her beloved grandmother Gogo, her little sister Zi, and her weekend mother in a matchbox house on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In that shantytown, it seems like somebody is dying all the time. Billboards everywhere warn of the disease of the day. Her Gogo goes to a traditional healer when [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Realistic Fiction, South Africa, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Josepha: A Prairie Boy’s Story

By Book Importer | Published: April 30, 2011

Josepha, an immigrant boy, leaves school to begin working and says good-bye to his best friend.

Descriptors: Americas, Canada, Historical Fiction, Primary (ages 6-9) » Other Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Scribbling Women

By Book Importer | Published: April 28, 2011

In 1855, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote to his publisher, complaining about the irritating fad of “scribbling women.” Whether they were written by professionals, by women who simply wanted to connect with others, or by those who wanted to leave a record of their lives, those “scribbles” are fascinating, informative, and instructive.Margaret Catchpole was a transported prisoner [...]

Descriptors: International, Realistic Fiction, Short Stories, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The King Who Tried to Fry an Egg on His Head

By Book Importer | Published: April 5, 2011

A poor and foolish king marries off his three daughters to the Sun, the Moon, and the Raven and then tries to copy their special talents.

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