An ancient Sumerian tale about the youngest and weakest of eight brothers who, caught up in an ill-advised war, uses his wits and courage and eventually becomes king.
Middle East
The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
When war comes, Alia Muhammad Baker, the librarian of Basra, fears the library will be destroyed, so she asks government officials for help, but they refuse, which means Alia must take matters into her own hands to protect the books that she loves.
Duel
In Jerusalem, when elderly Mr. Rosenthal receives a threatening letter accusing him of stealing a painting and challenging him to a duel, twelve-year-old David needs to find who really stole it before someone gets hurt.
Iblis
An Islamic version of the story of Adam and Eve and the fall from Paradise. In this Islamic version of Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden, the devil is called Iblis.
The Key to My Heart
After Jonathan’s dad loses his keys, they retrace all of their steps throughout the day, from the post office to the playground, and all of the places in between.
Count Your Way through the Arab World
Uses Arabic numerals from one to ten to introduce concepts about Arab countries and Arab culture.
Shadow Spinner
When Marjan, a thirteen-year-old girl with a disability, joins the Sultan’s harem in ancient Persia, she gathers for Shahrazad the stories which will save the queen’s life.
Pancake Dreams
Stefan loves the way his grandmother makes pancakes, but she lives far from him. One day he has an idea on how to get some of his favorite treats.
The Treasures of Trinkamalee
With the background of The Arabian Nights, this book deals with themes of young men’s folly, greed, adventure, crime and punishment. An old man narrates how years earlier he and friends set out to see the world and to find riches to bring home.
Lydia, Queen Of Palestine
Ten-year-old Lydia describes her childhood escapades in pre-World War II Romania, her struggles to understand her parents’ divorce amid the chaos of the war, and her life on a kibbutz in Palestine. Based on the life of the Israeli poet Arianna Haran.