Fifteen year old Acolmiztli, crown prince of a Pre Columbian Mexico (c. 1418), wants nothing more than to see Tetzcoco thrive. But after a palace plot leaves his father dead, Acolmiztli is forced into exile with his mother and siblings, where they must seek refuge in the wilderness as their lives depend on it. After a coyote comes to their aid by helping Acolmiztli find his way, he takes on the new name of Nezahualcoyotl, or fasting coyote (“Neza” for short). A blend of poetry and prose, including translations of surviving poems written by Nezahualcoyotl, translated from classical Nahuatl by David Bowles, this action-packed epic takes readers on an adventure, bringing to life one of Mexico’s most treasured heroes – Nezahualcoyotl.
Age
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The Stone Child: The Misewa Saga, Book Three
The third book in the Misewa Saga fantasy series, where it is a race against time to save Eli after being discovered near-lifeless at the base of the Great Tree. In order to save him Morgan will have to ask for help, from friends new and old. With Arik and Emily at her side, they journey on the path away from the Great Tree where they must enter the northern woods, a place they have been warned to never enter. Here they must face new challenges as they encounter life-threatening attacks from horrifying creatures. But with a surprise ally coming to their aid, Morgan discovers the strength she needs to focus on saving her brother’s life, the thing that is most important.
We Free The Stars (Sands of Arawiya, Book 2)
Follow up to We Hunt the Flame from the Sands of Arawiya duology, We Free the Stars takes readers on a journey after the battle on Sharr has ended, with Altair, Zafira, Nasir, and Kifah navigating a world in which Arz has fallen. Although Altair remains a captive, the trio are set on finishing Altair’s plan of restoring the hearts of the Sisters of Old to the minarets of each caliphate, which will bring magic to all of Arawiya. But this task will prove to be immensely difficult. With order needing to be restored and time running out, sacrifices will have to be made.
The Great Bear: The Misewa Saga, Book Two
The second book of the Misewa Saga series, described as the Narnia-inspired Indigenous fantasy series, The Great Bear continues the story of Eli and Morgan as they journey back in time to Misewa to visit their animal friends in search of answers and solace as they navigate the perils of personal issues back home. But upon their return they learn that the village is in danger again and that in order to find strength to protect their friends they must dig deep within themselves. But will they be able to carry this strength back home with them as they navigate their own personal challenges?
The Portal Keeper: The Misewa Saga, Book Four
The fourth book in the Misewa Saga, The Portal Keeper takes readers on an adventure as Eli and Morgan experience life-changing revelations. While exploring the newly discovered area of Aski, World’s End, Eli struggles to comprehend his new found power of being able to locate a portal, while Morgan and Emily take delight in their developing relationship. But a turn of events takes them to the Ministik Village, where its animal inhabitants are going missing. The children vow to help by turning to friends, once again, but it is getting harder to maintain the separation of two worlds, especially when details of a traditional legend can change everything forever.
Wild Poppies
Two brothers, Omar and Sufyan, strive to reunite as they endure the turmoil of the Syrian War. With the passing of their father, Omar tries to be the man and head of his family of Syrian refugees, but in his youngest brother’s eyes, he has failed. While Omar waits in line for rations, younger brother, Sufyan, explores nontraditional methods to provide for the family by getting involved with a group that provides large rewards for doing, what seems to be, inconsequential tasks, despite his older brother’s warnings. As Sufyan’s involvement gets more intense, resulting in his separation from the family, it becomes up to bookish Omar to rescue his little brother and reunite them with their family.
Run For Your Life
Azari’s life is split in two, but what links them? Running. Sometimes she runs because she wants to, but sometimes she runs because she has no other choice. When Azari and her mother flee to Ireland as refugees, they find themselves in a center for asylum seekers, Direct Provision. Here they must room with a stranger, eat unfamiliar food they don’t the names of, and are forced to answer intrusive questions from the authorities. Azari has secrets, but will she ever be able to stop running?
The Moon Tonight: Our Moon’s Journey Around Earth
Follow the moon through the eyes of a father and daughter in this informative and visually stunning nonfiction picture book. Written by astronomer Jun Chang-hoon, and illustrated by award-winning Jang Ho, the book provides easy-to-follow scientific explanations for young readers alongside lavish acrylic drawings of the moon in the night sky.
Lunar New Year (Celebrations & Festivals)
Lunar New Year celebrates the biggest Chinese festival of the year through the eyes of Ling and her family in this authentic narrative non-fiction story. Follow along with Ling, her sister Mei, and granny Po Po as they clean the house, pick fresh flowers and visit friends and family carrying red lanterns through their neighborhood. Readers will learn all about the magic of the Lunar New Year by exploring the preparations leading up to the festival, the Reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s day fireworks, Dragon dancing and the New Year Monster, the lantern festival, and much more! Part of the Celebrations & Festivals series, where readers are invited into a family’s celebration to explore the magic and excitement of religious and cultural festivals from around the world.
Rumi: Poet of Joy and Love
As a child, Rumi was enchanted by books and birds. He went on to become a scholar, but it was the loss of Shams, his best friend, that taught Rumi his most important realization: Love is in us and everywhere. Rumi, Persian mystic and poet, is one of the best known and widely read poets in the world. Renown Iranian-American illustrator, Rashin Kheiriyeh, brings Rumi’s wisdom and warmth to life in this picture book with its strong colors and ornamental details that transports readers to the Persian Empire of the 13th century.
This book is part of the Worlds of Words Global Reading List for 2023/24.