The Girl Who Heard the Music: How One Pianist and 85,000 Bottles of Cans Brought New Hope to an Island

The amazing true story of Mahani Teave, an award-winning pianist and environmental activist. After becoming an internationally acclaimed concert pianist, with tours around the world, Mahani never forgot the tiny island where she grew up, Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, and one of the most remote. Aware of the islands environmental struggles and sustainability issues with pollution from tourism, Mahani was inspired to help save its environment and culture by creating a music school. The school was built using thousands of bottles, cans and tires in its walls, incorporating rain barrels, solar panels, and a food garden. Not only does Mahani help build a sustainable future for Rapa Nui, she also ensures the music will play on.

The Girl Who Heard the Music is the WOW Recommends book for October 2023.

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

Hidden Hope: How A Toy And A Hero Saved Lives During The Holocaust

During World War II, families all across Europe huddled together in basements, attics, and closets as Nazi soldiers rounded up anyone Jewish. The Star of David, a symbol of faith and pride, became a tool of hate when the Nazis forced Jewish people to carry papers stamped with that star, so that it was clear who to capture. But many brave souls dared to help them. Jewish teenager Jacqueline Gauthier, a member of the French Resistance who had to conceal her identity, was one who risked her life in secret workshops, forging papers with new names and without stars in order to help others escape. But how to get these life saving papers to families in hiding? An ordinary wooden toy duck held the answer, a hidden compartment: hope in a hollow.

Dancing Hands: A Story Of Friendship In Filipino Sign Language

Sam is fascinated by her new neighbors and their ability to talk with their hands, and when she meets Mai, she starts to learn Filipino sign language so they can communicate.

Game Of Freedom: Mestre Bimba And The Art Of Capoeira

An illuminating biography of Mestre Bimba, a capoeira player who used art in resistance to racial oppression, transforming a marginalized practice into a global sensation. Part art form, part martial arts, dance, music, acrobatics and spirituality, capoeira is difficult to not only to define, but declare where it originated from. It can be said, with certainty, that Brazil was the only country in the world where it was being played in the early 20th century, mainly by people of African decent.  The game was outlawed in 1890, just two years after Brazil abolished slavery, but by the early 1920s Mestre Bimba advocated for capoeira and the people who played it.

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

Stars Of The Night: The Courageous Children of the Czech Kindertransport

A moving and sensitively told true story of the 669 children who were rescued in Czechoslovakia from Nazi persecution right before the outbreak of World War II. Told from the collective perspective of the children, the story follows them as they journey from foster families during the war in England, to Prague where they have no success with finding their parents, then eventually to their connection with a British former stockbroker, Nicholas Winton, who played a vital part with bringing them to safety.

El Español Es La Lengua De Mi Familia (Spanish Edition)

To prepare for his school’s Spanish spelling bee, a young boy asks his grandmother for help. There are words he still does not know how to spell. With this simple request, a door is opened for him to learn more about his grandmother’s story as she reveals how she was only allowed to speak English at school when she was a young girl. This story inspires him to study hard for the spelling bee so he can make his family proud. Inspired by the author’s memories of his grandmother’s stories told to him when he was a boy.

Days Of The Dead

Describes the origin and meaning of the Mexican festival of the Days of the Dead, and shows how it is observed by one peasant family.

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?