Region: United States of America

Materials from United States of America

American Born Chinese

A tour-de-force by rising indy comics star Gene Yang, American Born Chinese tells the story of three apparently unrelated characters: Jin Wang, who moves to a new neighborhood with his family only to discover that he’s the only Chinese-American student at his new school; the powerful Monkey King, subject of one of the oldest and [...]
Other Descriptors: China, Graphic Novel, Taiwan, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

Bluebonnets and lady’s slippers, larkspurs and blazing stars, black-eyed Susans and Granny’s nightcaps. From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved these wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored [...]
Other Descriptors: Nonfiction, Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » Leave a comment

Dragonwings

Moon shadow is eight years old when he sails from China to join his father, Windrider, in America. Windrider lives in San Francisco and makes his living doing laundry. Father and son have never met, but Moon Shadow grows to love and respect his father and to believe in his wonderful dream. And Windrider, with [...]
Other Descriptors: Fiction, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Zulema and the Witch Owl/Zulema y la Bruja Lechuza

When Grandma Sabina comes to live with the family, the first thing Zulema says to her is, ”You sure look old and ugly.” Grandma Sabina warns her granddaughter about the Witch Owl who prowls the night looking for mean children, but Zulema laughs defiantly at such a preposterous tale. In this story about the consequences [...]
Other Descriptors: Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , » 2 Comments

Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys

Creepy Creatures and Other Cucuys presents the author’s retellings of fifteen traditional tales heard during his childhood in southern Texas.
Other Descriptors: Folklore, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Short Stories » Themes: , » 1 Comment

Juan y el Chupacabras/Juan and the Chupacabras

Young Juan and his cousin Luz savor Abuelo’s hair-raising stories. He tells the children of defeating terrifying fiends like the Chupacabras and La Llorona. The children cling to every word as he describes his brave stand-off with the Chupacabras, a terrifying beast with wings, claws and sharp fangs. But yet they wonder if there’s more [...]
Other Descriptors: Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , » 2 Comments

Charro Claus and the Tejas Kid

Santa’s newest helper is his cousin Pancho, a farmer in South Texas. Back in the day, Pancho was a mariachi singer with a whole lot of style and a fancy sombrero, but as the years passed, Pancho got a little older and a little wider. Then one night his primo Santa Claus showed up looking [...]
Other Descriptors: Fantasy, Picture Book, Primary (Gr. K-3) » Themes: , , , , , » 2 Comments

My Ocean

After his grandparents emigrate, 12-year-old Enrique heads for the ocean, a source of comfort and solace. Why did they flee Cuba, leaving Enrique and his mother behind? Should they go, too? If not, will they, like so many others, be seen as disloyal? The sea has no answers for the boy. As the years pass, [...]
Other Descriptors: Caribbean, Cuba, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Realistic Fiction » Themes: , , , , , , » Leave a comment

Red Midnight

When guerrilla soldiers strike Santiago’s village, they shoot at everyone in their path. Dos Vías is on fire, and the night glows red. “Take the cayuco and sail to the United States of America. Now go!” Santiago’s uncle Ramos tells him, and Santiago, twelve, and his four-year-old sister, Angelina, flee. With a map, a machete, and [...]
Other Descriptors: Guatemala, Intermediate (Gr. 4-8), Realistic Fiction » Themes: , , , , , » Leave a comment

Ask Me No Questions

Nadira and her family are illegal aliens, fleeing to the Canadian border — running from the country they thought was their home. For years since emigrating from Bangladesh, they have lived on expired visas in New York City, hoping they could someday realize their dream of becoming legal citizens of the United States. But after [...]
Other Descriptors: Bangladesh, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult (Gr. 9-12) » Themes: , , , , , , » 1 Comment
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