A while back I shared some excellent middle-grade reads illuminating the immensely difficult sagas of refugees and asylum seekers. Today I’ve got another stack of powerful, poignant, hopeful stories of both immigrants and refugees. Some are ideal for young children; …
Tag: immigrants
wishes, wartime, and music as real as jam
The Orphan Band of Springdale, written by Anne Nesbet published in 2018 by Candlewick Press 435 pages Gusta Neubronner, age 11, has just had the rug pulled out from under her slightly-blurry feet. It’s 1941. For some reason Gusta …
peachy beach-y reads
Heading to the beach? Vacationing seaside? After a long day of sun, surf, and sand, capture your kids’ fancy with one of these peachy, beach-y reads. Even if you’re landlocked this season, you can feel the velvet ocean breeze, hear …
compassion ought not be political: read about refugees
I want to think that all of us, no matter our opinion on the recent Executive Order in the U.S., have hearts of compassion for refugees. One thing I am concerned about is the politicization of compassion. That in order …
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grappling with sports and life…two powerful novels
I can only think of a handful of novels I’ve read with a sports theme. Not something that usually draws me in. If you are like me in that regard, please do not overlook the titles I have for you today! …
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the wonder of learning…books for back-to-school days
Some of you have already begun the new school year; some are just gearing up; There are many rich ways for each of us to learn and grow, an untold variety of approaches to education spanning the centuries and regions …
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thought-provoking reads on race, mercy, and bridge-building
I’ve got four novels to recommend today, all of which have deep relevance for our fractured societies and our heartfelt desire to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and extenders of mercy. They are for middle-graders through adult — I’ll try to write …
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five helpings of gratitude
We’re gearing up for American Thanksgiving this Thursday, so today’s five are focused on gratitude. There are lots more Thanksgiving titles in the Subject Index under Holidays. Thankful, by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Archie Preston published in 2015 by Zonderkidz This …
fiction favorites…a trio of graphic novels
I am a neophyte when it comes to graphic novels. I think I’ve only had two or three in my blog to date. I’m interested in exploring more of them, though. Such a powerful art form, and so accessible to …
fiction favorites…Ting Ting
Ting Ting, by Kristie Hammond Every day Ting would rush home from school, hoping to see a letter from Mama…Finally, on Friday…Mei Yima met her at the door with a big smile on her face. “Your mama has called all …
