Theme: Self-Discovery

The Queen of Water

By Book Importer | Published: May 10, 2011

Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her large family in a small, earthen-walled dwelling. In her village of indígenas, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta—stupid Indian—by members of the ruling class of mestizos, or Spanish [...]

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

Juna’s Journey

By Book Importer | Published: May 5, 2011

In a time and a land not so very different from ours, lives a one called Juna, a dream helper who has spent much of his life dreaming for others. He has never dreamed for himself, until one evening when he has a dream of his own, which contains a mysterious message just for him.
To [...]

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

The Singing Mountain

By Book Importer | Published: October 1, 2009

When sixteen-year-old Carlie learns that her older cousin Mitch is staying in Israel to study at an Orthodox yeshiva, she is upset and angry. Since she was orphaned years ago, Carlie and Mitch have lived together like brother and sister. In Israel Mitch finds fulfillment in studying the Torah, in his work as an artist, [...]

Descriptors: Israel, Realistic Fiction, United States of America, Young Adult (ages 14-18) » Other Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Man from the Other Side

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

The true story of a teenager’s experiences in the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, as he discovers his own heritage and finds himself caught up in the war through underground dealings.

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

The Remembering Stone (Americas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Commended (Awards))

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

A surprising journey of self-discoveryIn early fall, the blackbirds creak like rusty wheels behind our apartment . . . “One day I will return like you,” my mother tells the birds. “But for now, you go. Que les vaya bien. Safe journey.”Ana doesn’t understand the pull of this faraway place until one night she puts [...]

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

Are All the Giants Dead?

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

Finding himself in a land peopled with fairy tale characters, James attempts to help Princess Dulcibel who is destined to marry a toad after her ball falls into the well.

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

Maphead

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

MapHead, a twelve year old from a parallel world, who can flash any map across his head but cannot quite grasp human language, comes to meet his human mother, and by searching for her, he discovers himself.

Descriptors: England (UK), Intermediate (ages 9-14), Science Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

Shadows in the Twilight

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

Joel will soon be 12, and he thinks nothing is going on in the small community where he lives. But he’s wrong. One day, an incident that could easily have been a catastrophe turns into a miracle. Now Joel believes he owes the world a good deed, to prove that he deserved what might have [...]

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

Barkbelly

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

One silver-starry night, a shiny, wooden egg falls from a flying machine high in the air down, down, down through the midnight sky down to the small village of Pumbleditch, where Barkbelly is born. Where he’s the only wooden boy. And where he’s the cause of a tragic accident.Suddenly, Barkbelly’s only choice is to flee [...]

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

Naked Bunyip Dancing

By Yoo Kyung Sung | Published: December 1, 2008

This novel in verse follows the school year of Australian students in classroom 6C, as their unconventional teacher encourages them to discover their own strengths and talents and perform in a memorable concert.

Descriptors: Australia, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Realistic Fiction » Other Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment