Theme: Poverty

A Hen for Izzy Pippik

By Book Importer | Published: April 12, 2012

When Shaina finds a magnificent hen, she knows that Izzy Pippik, the hen’s owner, is sure to return for her. In the meantime, Shaina decides she will care for the animal. But when dozens of eggs hatch and rowdy chickens scatter throughout the village, Shaina must fight the entire town if she has any hope [...]

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

Beatrice’s Dream: A Story of Kibera Slum

By Book Importer | Published: February 16, 2012

Beatrice is a thirteen-year-old orphan in Kibera, Nairobi – a Kenyan shantytown built on refuse and rubbish and one of the biggest slums in Africa. In this book she describes her life: her walk to school, the dust that blows between her teeth and the mud she wades through, her teacher’s down-to-earth encouragement, her fear [...]

Descriptors: Africa, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Kenya, Nonfiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , » 1 Comment

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. [...]

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: , , , , » 6 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