Just A Girl: A True Story Of World War Ii

In this award-winning memoir translated from Italian to English, a Jewish girl grows up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovers light in unexpected places. This classic, powerful story from Lia Levi is adapted for young readers, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations, a family photo album, and a powerful author’s note to readers. 1938, Italy. Six-year-old Lia loves to build sandcastles at the beach and her biggest problem is her shyness and quiet, birdlike voice–until prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in World War II, and everything changes. Now there are laws saying Jewish children can’t go to school, Jews can’t work, or go on vacation. It’s difficult for Lia to understand why this is happening to her family. When her father loses his job, they must give up their home and move from city to city.As war comes closer, it becomes too dangerous to stay together, and Lia and her sisters are sent to hide at a convent. Will she ever be “just a girl” again? The memoir is full of poignant moments of friendship and loss, dreaded tests at school, told in Lia’s captivating voice, as she grows into a young teen.

Planting Hope: A Portrait Of Photographer Sebastião Salgado

As a young boy, Sebastiao Salgado loved exploring his parents’ farm in the forests of Brazil, always dreaming of what might lie beyond his view. When he went away to school, he met Lelia, who showed him how to use a camera. As he looked through the lens, Sebastiao realized he could use photography to capture how the world fits together.

Sebastiao used his pictures to tell the stories of people who might not otherwise be seen. But after witnessing too much destruction, he put away his camera and returned to his childhood home. The land was in ruins.

So Sebastiao and Lelia decided to rebuild the rainforest and photograph the beauty of the world to save it. Through art and activism, they would show that everyone was responsible for caring for the planet and that hope endures if we take action.

This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.

The Wave Of The Sea-Wolf

Intricate cut-paper illustrations incorporating Pacific Northwest motifs accompany this original story of the Tlingit princess Kchokeen, who is rescued from drowning by a guardian spirit that later enables her to summon a great wave and save her people from hostile strangers.

Brighter Than The Sun

After the loss of her mother, high school junior Soledad finds herself struggling to balance classes and her new job in California to support her family in Tijuana, Mexico, in this thoughtful story about identity, immigration, and family.

Mariano’s First Glove/ El Primer Guante De Mariano (English And Spanish Edition)

“This bilingual picture book for kids recalls Major League Baseball pitcher Mariano Rivera’s childhood in Panama, his fascination with playing ball-even if he had to make his glove out of cardboard-and his eventual signing with the New York Yankees, where he helped win five World Series”–

Lolo’s Sari-Sari Store

After recently moving to the United States, a young girl reminisces about her time spent helping her Lolo run his sari-sari store in the Philippines, and uses some of his wisdom to make herself feel more at home.

Grandma, Where Will Your Love Go? / Abuela, ¿adónde Irá Tu Amor? (Spanish Edition)

A grandmother assures her granddaughter that her love will always surround the young girl, even when she is no longer physically present.