imprisonment

Mèo And Bé

Just before the United States enters the Vietnam War, 11-year-old Bé and her loyal three-legged kitten, Mèo, must learn to navigate the treacherous waters of conflict and adversity.

Bé has not spoken since her mother left, but she remains hopeful they may be reunited some day. Her oppressive stepmother, Big Mother, treats her like a servant and her father is helpless to step in after suffering from a stroke. However, she finds solace in the companionship of Mèo, her steadfast feline friend.

Soon, Bé’s fragile world shatters when she is unjustly accused by Big Mother of stealing and is forcibly taken from her home to a nightmarish underground prison alongside other captive girls. Amidst the darkness, Bé forms an unspoken bond with Ngân, and Mèo becomes a source of comfort for the imprisoned souls.

As violence erupts and freedom beckons, Bé, Mèo, and Ngân embark on a journey through the chaos of war, holding on to the hope of finding sanctuary and belonging in a fractured world. A poignant tale of resilience and kinship amidst the ravages of conflict, this story is a testament to the enduring power of love and compassion.

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

Beasts Of Ruin

In a world where promises to gods bind souls, Koffi finds herself ensnared in Fedu’s deceptive realm—a luxurious mansion masking a deadly mist that holds her and other darajas captive. Trapped within Thornkeep’s manicured gardens, escape seems impossible until Koffi discovers a latent power within the mist itself—a power that could hold the key to her freedom and unlock the mysteries of her own magic.

In a race against time and fate, Koffi and Ekon – a former soldier now branded a fugitive – must reckon with the changing landscape of their world and confront the truths that threaten to tear them apart. But with each trial they endure, they draw closer to each other and the possibility of shaping their own destinies.

Forgiving Moses

The tenth installment in Velásquez s acclaimed Roosevelt High School Series that focuses on social issues relevant to teens, Forgiving Moses addresses the painful issue of children, particularly brown and black youth, whose fathers are not present in their lives. Touching on the disproportionately high number of men of color in prison and its effects on society, this short novel for teens will generate conversations about the possible consequences of making bad choices, responsibility to family and the impact of incarceration.

A Dusk of Demons

When his father dies mysteriously and enemies set fire to Ben’s house, Ben and his stepsister, Patty, flee their homeland and embark on a perilous journey during which they face imprisonment, gypsies, and terrified countrymen seeking a sacrifice to save themselves from the Dark One.

Toby Alone

Toby Lolness may be just one and a half millimeters tall, but he’s the most wanted person in his world — the world of the great oak Tree. Toby’s father has made a groundbreaking discovery: the Tree itself is alive, lowing with vital energy, and there may even be a world beyond it. Greedy developers itch to exploit this forbidden knowledge, risking permanent damage to their natural world. But Toby’s father has refused to reveal his findings, causing the family to be exiled to the lower branches. Only Toby has managed to escape.

Sky: A True Story of Resistance During World War II

A former member of the underground Dutch resistance force against the Nazis recounts her two years of covert meetings, perilous deliveries, near-confrontations, and life sentencing while she was still a teenager.

Griffin’s Castle

Lonely and friendless from constantly moving, Dinah finds herself wishing the animal statues protecting a nearby Welsh castle would keep her company. Suddenly, to Dinah’s delight, the stone animals start to magically spring from the walls and follow her home. But when the animals refuse to let Dinah leave her house, she quickly realizes that these mysterious creatures aren’t rescuing her, they’re imprisoning her.