When Stars Are Scattered
When Stars Are Scattered By Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed Illustrated by Iman Geddy Published by Penguin Young Readers Group ISBN-13: 9780525553908 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “This engaging, heartwarming story does everything one can ask of a book, and then some.” —Kirkus Reviews Description Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So...
Read MoreThe Bone Sparrow
The Bone Sparrow By Zana Fraillon Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN-13: 9781484781517 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat While addressing themes of loss, desperation, and injustice in an all-too-relevant setting, Fraillon’s resonant novel underscores the healing power of story. —Publishers Weekly Description Subhi is a refugee. He was born in an Australian permanent detention center after his mother and sister fled the violence of a distant homeland, and the center is the only world he knows. But every night, the faraway whales sing...
Read MoreWithout Refuge
Without Refuge By Jane Mitchell Published by Lerner Publishing Group ISBN-13: 9781541500501 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “After narrowly surviving an airstrike, Ghalib suddenly finds himself being forced to join the Kurdish Protection Units or else risk his life fleeing to Europe.” —Kirkus Reviews Description Thirteen-year-old Ghalib wishes his life could go back to normal. He wishes he could still hang out at the market with his friends, root for his favorite soccer team, even go to school. But civil war has destroyed his home. As...
Read MoreWelcome to Nowhere
Welcome to Nowhere By Elizabeth Laird Published by Pan Macmillan ISBN-13: 9781509840472 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat …where do you go when you can’t go home? Description Twelve-year-old Omar and his brothers and sisters were born and raised in the beautiful and bustling city of Bosra, Syria. Omar doesn’t care about politics – all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman who will take the world by storm. But when his clever older brother, Musa, gets mixed up with some young political activists, everything...
Read MoreTeam Fugee
Team Fugee By Dirk McLean Published by Lorimer & Company, Ltd. ISBN-13: 9781459412057 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “The exceptional new series “Soccer United” explores the lives of soccer players who are refugees from around the world.” —School Library Journal Description Two years after his birth parents disappeared from their home in Nigeria, newly adopted Ozzie moves to Canada. At his new school, Ozzie and the other Nigerian kids compete for time on the soccer field with a team of Syrian refugees—led by Victor. But then...
Read MoreStand Up, Yumi Chung!
Stand Up, Yumi Chung! By Jessica Kim Published by Penguin Young Readers Group ISBN-13: 9780525554974 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “…a pop song of immigrant struggle colliding with comedy and Korean barbecue.” —Kirkus Reviews Description On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her “Yu-MEAT” because she smells like her family’s Korean barbecue restaurant. On the inside, Yumi is ready for her Netflix stand-up special. Her notebook is filled with mortifying memories...
Read MoreStrange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers
Strange Birds: A Field Guide to Ruffling Feathers By Celia C. Perez Published by Penguin Young Readers Group ISBN-13: 9780425290439 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A beautiful tale of the value of friendship against unconquerable odds.” —Kirkus Reviews Description When three very different girls find a mysterious invitation to a lavish mansion, the promise of adventure and mischief is too intriguing to pass up. Ofelia Castillo (a budding journalist), Aster Douglas (a bookish foodie), and Cat Garcia (a rule-abiding birdwatcher) meet the kid...
Read MoreCaravan to the North: Misael’s Long Walk
Caravan to the North: Misael’s Long Walk By Jorge Argueta Illustrated by Manuel Monroy Published by Groundwood Books ISBN: 9781773063294 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat Description This novel in verse is a powerful first-person account of Misael Martínez, a Salvadoran boy whose family joins the caravan heading north to the United States. We learn all the different reasons why people feel the need to leave — the hope that lies behind their decision, but also the terrible sadness of leaving home. We learn about how far and hard the trip is, but also...
Read MoreMerci Suarez Changes Gears
Merci Suarez Changes Gears By Meg Medina Published by Candlewick Press ISBN: 9780763690496 Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “Medina writes about the joys of multigenerational home life (a staple of the Latinx community) with a touching, humorous authenticity.” —Kirkus Reviews Description Merci Suarez knew that sixth grade would be different, but she had no idea just how different. For starters, Merci has never been like the other kids at her private school in Florida, because she and her older brother, Roli, are scholarship students. They...
Read MoreLost Boys
Lost Boys By Darcey Rosenblatt Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A powerful look at a tragic period in history that belongs in most YA collections.” —School Library Journal Description In 1982, twelve-year-old Reza has no interest in joining Iran’s war effort. But in the wake of a tragedy and at his mother’s urging, he decides to enlist, assured by the authorities that he will achieve paradise should he die in service to his country. War does not bring the glory the boys of Iran have been promised, and...
Read MoreStep Up to the Plate, Maria Singh
Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh By Uma Krishnaswami Published by Lee & Low Books, Inc. Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “This historical sports story will appeal to many elementary-aged students and provides a rich basis for a discussion of prejudice and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs.” —School Library Journal Description Nine-year-old Maria Singh longs to play softball in the first-ever girls’ team forming in Yuba City, California. It’s the spring of 1945, and World War II is dragging on. Miss Newman, Maria’s...
Read MoreThe First Rule of Punk
The First Rule of Punk By Celia C. Perez Published by Penguin Young Readers Group Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat “A charming debut about a thoughtful, creative preteen connecting to both halves of her identity.” —Kirkus Reviews Description There are no shortcuts to surviving your first day at a new school—you can’t fix it with duct tape like you would your Chuck Taylors. On Day One, twelve-year-old Malú (María Luisa, if you want to annoy her) inadvertently upsets Posada Middle School’s queen bee, violates the school’s dress code with her...
Read MoreRefugee
Refugee By Alan Gratz Published by Scholastic Inc. Age Range: 9+ Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat This compelling novel will help young people make sense of today’s refugee crisis. — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) Description JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world . . . ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . . MAHMOUD is...
Read MoreWhat is it Like to Have No Home?
British children and child refugees ask and answer questions about the refugee crisis for The Guardian and Observer charity appeal 2016. This year more than 90,000 children have traveled alone, fleeing war and destitution, across Europe. Thousands are sleeping in makeshift camps in Europe this winter.
Read MoreA Long Pitch Home
A Long Pitch Home By Natalie Dias Lorenzi Published by Charlesbridge Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N | Worldcat Description Ten-year-old Bilal liked his life back home in Pakistan. He was a star on his cricket team. But when his father suddenly sends the family to live with their aunt and uncle in America, nothing is familiar. While Bilal tries to keep up with his cousin Jalaal by joining a baseball league and practicing his English, he wonders when his father will join the family in Virginia. Maybe if Bilal can prove himself on the pitcher’s mound, his father will make it to...
Read MoreMigrant
Migrant By Jose Manual Mateo Illustrated by Javier Martinez Pedro Published by Abrams Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description A Mexican boy tells of his journey to the U.S. with his family. They must face many dangers to cross the border, only to experience the uncertainty felt by all illegal immigrants. The narrative is accompanied by one long, beautifully vivid illustration reminiscent of pre-Hispanic codices, packaged as an accordion-style foldout frieze. Reviews & Accolades “A family’s desperate journey from Mexico to Los Angeles unfolds through a boy’s...
Read MoreThe Day My Father Became A Bush
The Day My Father Became a Bush By Joke van Leeuwen Illustrated by Joke van Leeuwen Translated by Bill Nagelkerke Published by Lerner Publishing Group Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N “A brilliant, eerily engrossing evocation of war as it brushes up against youth—a harsh slice of the world during a mean piece of history.” —Kirkus Reviews Description A clear-eyed, funny, and off-beat novel about a girl making sense of a baffling world. ; Toda’ s father has gone away to fight in the war. Luckily, he’ s read about camouflage and will be able to hide from...
Read MoreRed Pencil
The Red Pencil By Andrea Davis Pinkney Illustrated by Shane Evans Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N “A soulful story that captures the magic of possibility, even in difficult times.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) Description “Amira, look at me,” Muma insists. She collects both my hands in hers. “The Janjaweed attack without warning. If ever they come– run.” Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in...
Read MoreThe Garden of My Imaan
The Garden of my Imaan By Farhana Zia Published by Peachtree Publishers “People of all religions and other minority groups will appreciate and relate to Aliya’s experiences and hopefully seek to improve themselves.” –Children’s Literature “…Zia’s gentle message–that Muslims come from many cultures whose observances differ, while the long shadow of 9/11 hovers over all–is timely and beautifully conveyed.” –Kirkus Reviews Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description Aliya already struggles with trying to fit in, feeling...
Read MoreWhat the Moon Saw
What the Moon Saw By Laura Resau Published by Delacourte Press/Random House “…in poetic, memorable language, Resau offers a rare glimpse into an indigenous culture, grounding her story in the universal questions and conflicts of a young teen.” –Gillian Engberg, Booklist “Along with the cultural heritage of the Oaxaca region is the role that restlessness has played in the lives of families there. This is a beautifully told story of finding oneself by holding on to ancient traditions.” –KILATT Find a copy at Amazon | IndieBound | B&N Description...
Read MoreWEAR YOUR WELCOME
