Region: South Africa

Materials from South Africa

Nelson Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela’s long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the [...]
Other Descriptors: Africa, Biography, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Ruby Sings the Blues

Ruby’s voice is so loud, it’s driving everyone crazy! Then Ruby’s jazz-playing neighbors come up with a plan to help her control her volume. Ruby finally learns to sing to her heart’s content without everyone needing earplugs!
Other Descriptors: Fiction, Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope

We are the young people, We will not be broken! For almost fifty years, apartheid forced the young people of South Africa to live apart as Blacks, Whites, Indians, and “Coloreds.” This unique and dramatic collection of stories—by native South African and Carnegie Medalist Beverley Naidoo—is about young people’s choices in a beautiful [...]
Other Descriptors: Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Realistic Fiction » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

A Child’s Day: In a South African City

Presents a day in the life of a child living in Johannesburg, discussing the social life, customs, religion, history, and language of South Africa.
Other Descriptors: Nonfiction, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

The Day Gogo Went to Vote

Thembi’s beloved great-grandmother, Gogo, is so old, she hasn’t left the house in years. But when Thembi’s parents announce that black South Africans will be allowed to vote for the first time, Gogo surprises the whole family by announcing that she will travel to the polls and that Thembi must come with her. Through Thembi’s [...]
Other Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , » Leave a comment

The Year the Gypsies Came

Set in apartheid 1960s South Africa, twelve-year-old Emily Iris explains that her mother and father have always been eager to take in travelers and vagabonds, relying on the presence of outsiders to ease the tension between them. Emily has her gentle older sister, Sarah, and Buza, the old Zulu nightwatchman, for company and comfort. But her [...]
Other Descriptors: Historical Fiction, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

The White Giraffe

When Martine’s home in England burns down, killing her parents, she must go to South Africa to live on a wildlife game preserve, called Sawubona, with the grandmother she didn’t know she had. Almost as soon as she arrives, Martine hears stories about a white giraffe living in the preserve. But her grandmother and others [...]
Other Descriptors: Fantasy, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8) » Themes: , , , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Happy Birthday Jamela

Jamela and her family go to shoe store for her birthday gift. Jamela loves what the store clerk shows, but Jamela’s mama picks the practical & comfortable shoes for her. Although Jamela gets disappointed, she decorates her new shoes with beads and sparkly bits. When Jamela shows her special shoes, her mother doesn’t show support [...]
Other Descriptors: Primary (Gr. K-3), Realistic Fiction » Themes: » Comments closed

Jamela’s Dress

Jamela gets in trouble when she takes the expensive material intended for a new dress for Mama, parades it in the street, and allows it to become dirty and torn.
Other Descriptors: Africa, Fiction, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Comments closed

What’s Cooking, Jamela?

Jamela is responsible for fattening up the chicken intended for Christmas dinner, but instead she gives it a name and makes it her friend.
Other Descriptors: Africa, Fiction, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: » Comments closed
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