Intermediate (ages 9-14)

Material appropriate for intermediate age groups

Tall Story

Andi is short. And she has lots of wishes. She wishes she could play on the school basketball team, she wishes for her own bedroom, but most of all she wishes that her long-lost half-brother, Bernardo, could come and live in London where he belongs. Then Andi’s biggest wish comes true and she’s minutes away from becoming someone’s little sister. As she waits anxiously for Bernardo to arrive from the Philippines, she hopes he’ll turn out to be tall and just as crazy as she is about basketball. When he finally arrives, he’s tall all right. Eight feet tall, in fact—plagued by condition called Gigantism and troubled by secrets that he believes led to his phenomenal growth. In a novel packed with quirkiness and humor, Gourlay explores a touching sibling relationship and the clash of two very different cultures.

Digging for Troy

It started as a legend told to each new generation about a war between the Greeks and the Trojans, with heroes battling over a beauty named Helen. While some question if this war and even the city of Troy itself existed, the tales have enticed people to look for clues in order to elicit fact from fiction and in some cases, to gain their own glory. Jill Rubalcaba and Eric H. Cline dig into many archeological expeditions at Hisarlik, the modern-day site believed to have been ancient Troy. The recount Heinrich Schliemann’s quest for renown, Wilhelm Drpfeld’s meticulous digs, Carl Blegen’s timeline of Troy’s layers from 2900 BCE to 550 CE, and Manfred Korfmann’s controversial picture of Troy as a political entity with Anatolian-not Aegean-ties.

My Name Is Bilal

When Bilal and his sister transfer to a school where they are the only Muslims, they must learn how to fit in while staying true to their beliefs and heritage.

The Carpet Boy’s Gift

Yearning for freedom and schooling for himself and the other children who toil in a carpet factory in Pakistan to repay loans from the factory owner to their parents, Nadeem is inspired by a former carpet boy named Iqbal Masih to lead the way.

This book has been included in WOW’s Kids Taking Action Booklist. For our current list, visit our Boolist page under Resources in the green navigation bar.

My Childhood Under Fire: A Sarajevo Diary

Offers the story of one young girl who grew into a young woman during the siege of Sarajevo by surviving the constant bombings, sniper attacks, and a critical lack of basic supplies for three long years.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 2

The Year Of The Rat

In this sequel to Year of the Dog, Pacy has another big year in store for her. The Year of the Dog was a very lucky year: she met her best friend Melody and discovered her true talents. However, the Year of the Rat brings big changes: Pacy must deal with Melody moving to California, find the courage to forge on with her dream of becoming a writer and illustrator, and learn to face some of her own flaws. Pacy encounters prejudice, struggles with acceptance, and must find the beauty in change.Based on the author’s childhood adventures, Year of the Rat, features the whimsical black and white illustrations and the hilarious and touching anecdotes that helped Year of the Dog earn rave reviews and satisfied readers.

The King’s Secret: The Legend of King Sejong

Chosun Dynasty had a wise King Sejong. When a humble servant boy tells of his longing to read and write, King Sejong sets out to create a simple yet beautiful way to write the Korean language. The people reject the new way of writing–until the boy gives the king another grand idea.

My Freedom Trip: A Child’s Escape from North Korea

The story of a young girl’s escape from North Korea, based on the life of the authors’ mother.

Tasty Baby Belly Buttons

Urikohime, a girl born from a melon, battles the monstrous oni, who steal babies to eat their tasty belly buttons.