These books begin with historical overviews of Haiti, including the reasons for recent political unrest. The first-person narratives of young refugees follow. All of the teens tell why they left their native countries, how they made their journeys, their experiences and difficulties in North America, and if they plan to return to their homelands. The introductions state that the young people were interviewed; it is unclear exactly when these conversations took place. It seems in Haiti as if they occurred prior to the reinstatement of President Aristide.
Nonfiction
Nonfiction genre
Ookpik: The Travels of a Snowy Owl
Here is the story of one snowy owl’s first year and its struggle to survive. Fed by his parents, Ookpik, which means snowy owl in the Inuit language, grows quickly in the short Arctic summer. By autumn he has learned to hunt on his own, but prey is scarce on the tundra that year. The owl’s instincts tell him that he must leave this land or starve. Ookpik flies south, over the great forests of Canada, and finally lands in the United States, always searching for food and a winter hunting ground.
With vivid watercolor illustrations, Bruce Hiscock depicts the changing landscape, from the treeless Arctic of Baffin Island to the dairy country of eastern New York. There, Ookpik settles for the winter, much to the delight of bird watchers. An author’s note offers additional details on the life of the snowy owl.
Botswana
Provides comprehensive information on the geography, history, governmental structure, economy, cultural diversity, peoples, religion and culture of Botswana.
Sweden
This book provides comprehensive information on the geography, history, governmental structure, economy, cultural diversity, peoples, religion, and culture of Sweden.
Taj Mahal
This book recounts the love story behind the building of the Taj Mahal in India. It discusses how it was constructed and provides information on Indian culture.
When I Met the Wolf Girls
Two little girls—raised by wolves—have just arrived at the orphanage, and life will never be the same. Based on a true story, this book is about many things at once: family, friendship, and what it means to have a home.
War in the Middle East: A Reporter’s Story: Black September and the Yom Kippur War
In 1970, when the Jordanian civil war known as Black September began, U.P.I. correspondent Wilborn Hampton was sent to report on unfolding events. Holed up in the InterContinental Hotel and caught in the crossfire, he managed to get the story out. Three years later, dispatched to Israel to cover the Yom Kippur War, the reporter took it on himself to drive to the front lines.
Egypt
This series offers an inside look into Egypt. Get a glimpse inside the chambers of King Tut’s tomb, examine each layer of mummification, and see the inner workings of pyramid-building. Egypt covers every facet of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea
It looks like a bear, but isn’t one. It climbs trees as easily as a monkey—but isn’t a monkey, either. It has a belly pocket like a kangaroo,but what’s a kangaroo doing up a tree? Meet the amazing Matschie’s tree kangaroo, who makes its home in the ancient trees of Papua New Guinea’s cloud forest. Scientists in the Field.
Tracks of a Panda
A giant panda and her baby set off on a search for a safe, sustaining home in this informative tale about an enchanting creature. High on a mist-wrapped mountain, a mother panda cradles her newborn, pink and impossibly small. The bamboo patch they need for food is dying, and as soon as her baby is old enough, they must seek a new home, sleeping in trees and swimming across icy streams along the way.