Promoting Global Literacy with Manga Inside and Outside the Classroom

By Aika Adamson, Worlds of Words, Tucson, AZ

Manga, a popular form of graphic novels and comics from Japan, has seen a boom in popularity following the pandemic in 2020. In a time where literacy rates are falling slightly for students across the United States, as reported in the Nation’s Report Card for 2022, and fewer people in all age-ranges are reading for pleasure (Iyengar, 2024), encouraging literacy among children and teenagers is more important than ever. Recent publishing trends have shown that children of all ages are reading more comics, graphic novels and manga annually. Graphic novels have seen a 90% jump in popularity in school libraries, with manga comprising 43% of high school graphic novel purchases, according to the School Library Journal’s 2023 survey.

With such a rise in popularity for manga, more and more middle and high school-aged readers can engage in international stories that have been translated for U.S.-based audiences. Manga tend to be published in long series, with chapters coming out weekly or monthly in Japanese magazines such as Weekly Shounen Jump, Ultra Jump, Hana to Yume or Be Love. Once a series reaches a certain number of chapters, provided the manga is popular enough, those chapters can be collected into volumes that are translated and distributed overseas. Continue reading →

WOW Recommends: Old as Stone, Hard as Rock of Humans & War

News of war around the world has been painful to hear and difficult to process. The unrelenting war in Ukraine, the utter devastation of Gaza, and the continuing civil war in the Sudan are daily reminders of the chaos, inhumanity and devastating consequences of war. When I came across the 170-page visual narrative on the history of war created by Alessandro Sanna, I was intrigued. The description printed on the inside flap of the front cover states that this book is “a visionary voyage in paint, shining a light on the unspeakable and on the twinned infinities of stone and stars.” Continue reading →

WOW Dozen: Engaging with People of All Abilities

By Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Some children have disabilities; many people will gain a disability in their lifetimes; and all people benefit from engaging with the disability community. These facts may be uncomfortable for people who don’t have disabilities and don’t have much interaction with people who do; however, engaging in accessible activities and inclusive communication eases discomfort and brings new understandings and joy. These twelve titles offer examples, and sometimes instruction, on initiating conversation and play between people of all abilities. Continue reading →

Invest In Youth as Readers 2025 Update

Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director

It may seem sweet to have adorable kids engaging in the quaint act of reading, but we see ourselves on the cutting edge of children’s literature with plenty of opportunities for digital connection. The sustained focused reading we do with the hard copies of our books combined with the energy from so many bagels not only helps us gain new perspectives on the world, it helps us with the persistence to learn new technologies. This year, we will record the fourth season of our podcast, WOW Reads, while growing into additional digital spaces. This may include video, and it will most certainly include creating interactive graphics like the one below.

Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content Continue reading →

WOW Dozen: The Relationship Between Grandparents and Grandchildren

By Janine M. Schall, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is special. Grandparents often play an influential role in the lives of their grandchildren, providing support to parents, childcare, positive examples and unconditional love which helps children feel safe and secure.

Grandparents often share their knowledge, wisdom and family traditions with their grandchildren. They help reinforce family and cultural beliefs, norms and values. These experiences strengthen a grandchild’s sense of self-worth and teach culture, tradition and history while creating opportunities to explore identity in the context of family. Continue reading →

WOW Recommends: The Village Beyond the Mist

October is the month to shine for cosplayers and Trick-or-Treaters. One of the most popular costumes in the last two decades has been that of No-Face from the movie, Spirited Away. This 2001 fantasy/adventure movie was inspired by the book, The Village Beyond the Mist by Sachiko Kashiwaba. Although the movie draws inspiration from the book, the story and atmosphere vary significantly.

The middle grade novel begins with Lina setting off from home under direction by her father to find Misty Valley. With some effort and a little magic, she arrives at Picotto Hall. She’s told by the proprietor that she must work for her keep. Each week, Lina visits a new shopfront where she is presented with tasks to complete and fantastical people who need help. Any one of the wise and caring characters in The Village Beyond the Mist can serve for costuming inspiration as do the characters in Spirited Away. Continue reading →

Invest In Youth as Readers 2025

Contact Rebecca Ballenger, Worlds of Words Associate Director

Worlds of Words renews our commitment to make a meaningful impact on middle and high school readers through the Worlds of Words Center Reading Ambassador program. Since its inception in 2018, the Reading Ambassador program has been instrumental in creating a community for young people around reading, equipping them with real-world skills and experiences that extend beyond the pages of a book. We hope that you will contribute to the success of the Reading Ambassadors by participating in our crowdfund campaign at crowdfund.arizona.edu/wow.

Continue reading →

WOW Recommends: Outside Mom, Inside Mom

Outside Mom, Inside Mom captures the everyday experiences of a Korean American boy and his mother. In their daily lives, they navigate between two selves, the person they truly are and the version shaped by how others see them. Through the contrasting versions of how they act inside and outside the home, this book invites readers to reflect on what it means to be themselves and on how we see and understand others.

On the morning of the first day at a new school, both mother and son carefully choose their outfits, not based on what they like, but on how they might be seen by others. At school, the mother is quiet, reserved and avoids asking questions when speaking with the teachers. But once she returns home, she becomes a completely different person, filled with joy, curiosity and vibrant energy. While she is cautious and quiet in public, she is warm and lively at home. This contrast illustrates the tension between an authentic sense of self and the constant awareness of how one is perceived by others, a dynamic that often shapes how immigrants navigate the struggles and challenges of everyday life. Continue reading →

2025 Trends in K-12 Global Literature

By Kathy G. Short, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Each year, we report the annual trends in global literature for young people after updating the annual global recommended reading lists. These lists consist of books published and/or distributed in the U.S. between July 2024 and July 2025. What is interesting this year is that the major trend is the lack of dominant trends in themes, topics, genres and countries.

The updated K-12 global recommended reading lists are published on the Worlds of Words website, organized by grade level bands, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-10 and 11-12, with separate fiction and nonfiction lists. The lists are organized around broad themes, including strength through relationships, forced journeys, taking action, locating self in the world, adventures and mysteries and mythological quests. Books that remain in print are kept on the lists each year, while new books from 2024 and 2025 are added. Continue reading →

WOW Dozen: I am a Child of the Village

By Monique C. Storie, University of Guam

A young Micronesian student recently remarked, “I am a child of the village.” This powerful declaration resonates with many Pacific Islanders because it captures an enduring connection to deep-seated values, cultural heritage and social norms that shape personal identity as well as one’s place within the community. Inspired by her words, this collection explores what life as an islander truly looks like, highlighting the many ways our Pacific identities are expressed through family, tradition and everyday island life.

In many Pacific Islander communities, multigenerational living is a natural part of life, with extended family present in the small, everyday moments. Grandparents help raise their grandchildren, sharing stories and wisdom between chores, meals and play; cousins grow up as lifelong companions (and at times, cherished partners-in-mischief), and aunties, uncles and other relatives are never far, ready to guide, to encourage, or to join in laughter and celebration. These daily connections by both blood and chosen family build strength and resilience, shape character and foster a spirit of togetherness that helps form the heart of the village. The stories in this collection emphasize that being a child of the village means growing and thriving with the unwavering support of family and community, carrying forward the deep-seated values and wisdom that shape Pacific Islander life. Continue reading →