Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Multicultural Literature in Four Themes The books listed on the following pages have been selected to support four themes: Celebrations, Family, Journeys and Transitions, and Struggles and Peace. These books are suitable for students in grades 4-8. Some of the children’s picture books could be used with older students in a project integrating children’s literature and visual arts. Note that some titles appear in more than one list because they can be related to more than one theme.1 Choose titles from these lists for multicultural literature circles. To learn how to implement this approach, see pages 45-47 in Coelho, E. (2003) Adding English: A Guide to Teaching in Multilingual Classrooms. Toronto: Pippin Publishing.
Celebrations
Title Calendar of Festivals Christmas Menorah Dumpling Soup Gershon's Monster Gift, The: Hanukkah Story Going Home Guests Happy Birthday, Mr. Kang Have a Happy… I’m in Charge of Celebrations Imani’s Gift at Kwanzaa Lights for Gita Magid Fasts for Ramadan Maple Moon Mina’s Spring of Colors Mrs. Katz and Tush Muslim Child Nadia's Hands Picnic at Mudsock Meadow Raisel's Riddle Red Parka Mary Runaway Rice Cake Sam and the Lucky Money Thanks for Thanksgiving This Next New Year Tree of Cranes Zaki’s Ramadhan Fast
1
Author Gilchrist, Cherry Cohn, Janice Rattigan, Jama Kim Kimmel, Eric Brodmann, Aliana Bunting, Eve Dorris, Michael Roth, Susan L. Walter, Mildred Pitts Baylor, Byrd Burden-Patmon Gilmore, Rachna Matthews, Mary Crook, Connie Brummel Gilmore, Rachna Polacco, Patricia Khan, Rukhsana English, Karen Polacco, Patricia Silverman, Erica Eyvindson, Peter Compestine, Ying Chang Chinn, Karen Patterson, Heather Wong, Janet S. Say, Allen El-Moslimany, Ann
ISBN 1841482447 0807511536 0316730475 043910839X 0689822405 0064435091 0786813563 0792277236 0380713144 0689826205 0671798413 0929005619 0618040358 0773760989 1550415344 0440409365 092914161X 1563976676 0698114493 0374361681 0921827504 0689829728 1880000539 0590124846 0374355037 039553024X 1884187080
Thanks to Sheila Koffman of “Another Story” bookshop, and Marcela Durán, Equity Consultant, for researching these titles.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Family
Title
Balloon for Grandad Best Best Colors Bud, Not Buddy Crabs for Dinner Curses of Third Uncle, The Daddy Calls me Man Dancer Dahling, If You Luv Me….. Day of Ahmed's Secret Girl Who Hated Books, The Grandfather Counts Grandfather’s Orchard Grandpa Chatterji Grandpa’s Visit Hairs Jamaica Louise James Jin Woo Adoption from Korea Kim/Kimi Knots on a Counting Rope Laetitia Lights for Gita Love as Strong as Ginger Mama Zooms Memory String Morning on the Lake My Mom is so Unusual My Two Grandmothers Next Stop Night Shift Daddy Pablo’s Tree Philipok Roses Sing on New Snow Sachiko Means happiness Shaman’s Nephew Sitti’s Secrets Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born Tortillas and Lullabies Treasure for Lunch Walk in My World, A What Have You Lost? When the Soldiers Were Gone Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? Yesterday Stone
Author
Gray, Nigel Hoffman, Eric et al. Curtis, Christopher Paul Badoe, Adwoa Yee, Paul Johnson, Angela Hewett, Lorri Khan, Rukhsana Heide, Florence Parry Pawagi, Manjusha Cheng, Andrea Ghazi, Abidullah Gavin, Jamila Douglas, Richardo Keens Cisneros, Sandra Hest, Amy Bunting, Eve Irwin, Hadley Martin, Bill and Archambault, John Hodge, Merle Gilmore, Rachna Look, Lenore Cowen-Fletcher, Jane Bunting, Eve Waboose, Jan Bourdeau Loewn, Iris Hayashi, Nancy Ellis, Sarah Spinelli, Eileen Mora, Pat Keay Beneduce, Ann Yee, Paul Sakai, Kimiko Tookoome, Simon Nye, Naomi Shihab Curtis, Jamie Lee Reiser, Lynn Nanji, Shenaaz Mazer, Anne Ed. Nye, Naomi Shihab Propp, Vera W. Wheeler, Bernelda Eyvindson, Peter
ISBN
1852136529 1884834698 0385323069 0920813275 0888629095 0531071758 0141310855 0773760164 0688140238 1896764096 1584300108 1563163071 0749717165 1550374885 0679890076 0763602841 0395938724 014032593X 0805054790 0374424446 0929005619 0689812485 0590457756 0395861462 1550745883 0919143377 0152007857 1550415395 0786804955 0027674010 0399234829 0888992173 0892391227 0773761896 0689817061 0590038397 0688146287 1896764320 0892552492 0380733072 0698118812 1895411505 0921827245
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Journeys and Transitions
Title
A Gift for Gita Always Prayer Shawl Barefoot: Brave New Kid Camels Can Make You Homesick & Other Stories Days of Terror Dragon’s Gate From Far and Wide From Far Away Ghost Train Goodbye Vietnam Going Back Home Going with the Flow Grandfather’s Journey Great Migration, The Habibi Harriet’s Daughter I Hate English Journey Home Keeping Quilt Leaving Morning Lotus Seed Magic Braid Mama Across the Sea My Name is Maria Isabel Napachee Painted Words, Spoken Memories Place Called Freedom Return, The Road To Chlifa Sees Behind Trees Share the Sky Singing Bowls Silence in the Mountains Trip Back Home Upside Down Boy Wagon Wheels Watsons Go to Birmingham When Jessie Came Across the Sea Whispering Cloth Willie Wins
Author
Gilmore, Rachna Oberman, Sheldon Edwards, Pamela Duncan Couric, Katie Sadiq, Nazneen Smucker, Barbara Yep, Laurence Bannatyne-Cugnet, Jo Munsch, Robert Yee, Paul Whelan, Gloria Wood, M/Toyomi, I Blatchford, Claire Say, Allen Lawrence, Jacob Nye, Naomi Shihab Philip, Marlene Nourbese Levine, Ellen Mckay, Lawrence Polacco, Patricia Johnson, Angela Garland, Sherry Singh, Rina Godard, Alex Ada, Alma Flora Feagan, Robert Aliki Sanders, Scott Russell Levitin, Sonia Marineau, Michele Dorris, Micheal Ting-Xing Ye Gavin Jamila Rozenberg, Liz Wong, Janet S. Herrera, Juan Brenner, Barbara Curtis, Christopher Paul Hest, Amy Shea, Pegi Deitz Gilles, Almiro Astudillo
ISBN
189676410X 0140561579 0064435199 0385500300 0888629125 0140313060 0064404897 0887764436 155037396X 0888992572 067982376X 0892391375 1575052849 0395570352 0064434281 0689825234 0889611343 0590423045 1584300051 0689844476 0531070727 0152014837 0920813259 0805061614 068980217X 0888784031 0688156614 0689840012 0449702804 0889951292 0786813571 1550375784 0749703326 0531300846 0152007849 0892391626 0064440524 0440414121 0763600946 1563976234 158430023X
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Struggles and Peace
Title Aani and the Tree Huggers Adem’s Cross All the Colors of the Earth Asha’s Mums Baseball Saved Us Bein’ with You This Way Big Box, The Breakaway Butterfly, The Christman Menorahs, The Clara’s War Crickwing Dare to Be Different Day Gogo Went to Vote Encounter Fa Mulan Faithful Elephants Fire at the Triangle Factory Freedom Child of the sea Gandhi: Peaceful Warrior Great Peace March, The I Can Hear the Sun Just Like Martin Make Someone Smile Morning Girl My Name Is Seepeetza My Two Uncles Name Calling Naomi’s Road NightJohn One Grain of Rice Prejudice: A Story Collection Roses in My Carpets, The Sami and the Time of the Troubles Screaming Kind of Day, A Shabash! Sister Anne’s Hands Somewhere Today:A Book of Peace Story of Ruby Bridges Tales from Gold Mountain This Land Is My Land Whitewash Wings Winners Woman who Outshone the Sun Author Atkins, Jeannine Mead, Alice Hamanaka, Sheila Elwim, R/Paulse, M Mochizuki, Ken Nikola-Lisa, W Morrison, T/Morrison, S Yee, Paul Polacco, Patricia Cohn, Janice. D.S.W. Kacer, Kathy Cannon, Janell Amnesty International Sisulu, Elinor Batezat Yolen, Jane San Souci, Robert D. Tsuchiya, Yukio Littlefield, Holly Keens-Douglas, Richardo Bains, Rae Near, Holly Polacco, Patricia Davis, Ossie Lalli, Judy Dorris, Michael Sterling, Shirley Vigna, Judith Sadu, Itah Kogawa, Joy Paulsen, Gary Demi Muse, Daphne. Ed. Khan, Rukhsana Heide/Gilliland Gilmore, Rachna Walsh, Ann Lorbiecki, Marybeth Thomas, Shelley Moore Cole, Robert Yee, Paul Littlechild, George Shange, Ntozake Myers, Christopher Collura, Mary-Ellen L. Martinez, Alejandro Cruz ISBN 1584300043 0440227356 0688170625 0889611432 1880000199 1880000261 0786804165 0888992017 0399231706 0807511536 1896764428 0152017909 0747540217 0316702714 015201389X 0786814217 0395861373 0876149700 1550373722 0816717680 0805053506 069811857X 0140370951 0915793997 078681358X 0888991657 080755507X 0889612048 0773757694 0440219361 059093998X 0786813105 0773730923 0385720850 1550416618 0888783558 0140565345 0807575453 0590572814 0888990987 0892391197 0802784909 0590033778 1550542230 089239126X
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
CELEBRATIONS
Calendar of Festivals A useful compilation of the stories underpinning some of the celebrations central to the world's religions. Christmas Menorah A powerful and moving story based on a true event in Billings Montana, when a Jewish family's window was smashed because they were displaying menorahs. Dumpling Soup A family in Hawaii comprising many cultures celebrates New Year's Eve. Gershon's Monster The story explores a central aspect of the Jewish New Year - the casting off of the old year's sins in order to begin again. The Gift A young Jewish girl, excited by the Hannukah money she has to spend, explores all the shops in her town, looking for what she most wants. Going Home When a family of migrant workers visits the parents' Mexican village during Christmas, the children realize what their parents have given up in order to give their children better opportunities in the north. Guests A beautifully written story of a special day in the life of an Algonquin boy at the time of the first Thanksgiving feast in America. Happy Birthday, Mr. Kang A richly detailed and poetically crafted story of the life an old Chinese-American man has made for himself, through 50 years of hard work in New York City. Have a Happy .... A young boy discovers that the underlying principles of Kwanzaa can help to make life easier and happier for everyone. I'm in Charge of Celebrations In this book, Baylor shares just 6 of her 108 days of celebration. Baylor's values re-examine conventional ideas of what really matters. Imani’s Gift at Kwanzaa Excellent information about Kwanzaa is delivered by the grandmother who uses the lessons of Kwanzaa to help her granddaughter Imani to solve a problem. Lights for Gita When there is an ice storm on Diwali, Gita must find new ways to make this day special.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Magid Fasts for Ramadan A young Muslim boy, inspired by his grandfather’s example, tries to take on adult obligations and secretly fasts for Ramadan. Maple Moon A fictionalized account of how maple syrup might have been discovered by a First Nations boy. Mina's Spring of Colors During Holi, a joyous Hindi spring celebration, Mina learns some hard lessons from her wise and forgiving grandfather. Mrs. Katz and Tush Over a homeless kitten named Tush, a young black boy and an old Jewish woman begin a life-long friendship Muslim Child This book on Muslim culture includes eight short stories about Muslim children and how their Islamic way of life affects their daily routines and relationships. Nadia's Hands A Pakistani-American girl's hands are painted for her role as flower girl in a traditional Pakistani wedding— but they will not wash off in time for school. Picnic at Mudsock Meadow A Halloween picnic is the occasion for special activities popular in small town America in the early 20th century. A young boy who fails at every event redeems himself (and makes a friend) by using his scientific knowledge to clear up a local 'ghostly' mystery. Raisel's Riddle A Jewish Cinderella story with a twist: an orphaned girl, taught the Talmud by her grandfather, intrigues a rabbi's son at a Purim Ball (while suitably disguised), not just with her beauty but also with her learning. Red Parka Mary A powerful First Nations story about the true meaning of giving and love, and the Christmas celebrations that are meant to embody these qualities. Runaway Rice Cake In a magic tale featuring a talking rice cake, a poor Chinese family's willingness to share the little they have for the New Year's celebrations sparks generosity in the whole community. Sam and the Lucky Money A young boy ponders what to do with his "lucky money," a traditional Chinese New Year's gift. A homeless man helps him to understand that it his loving family that makes him truly rich and lucky. Thanks for Thanksgiving A simple text recounting with each page another thing we have to be thankful for at Thanksgiving.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
This Next New Year A clever and very funny first-person account by a young boy of his high hopes for good luck in the coming year. Tree of Cranes A child in Japan learns about Christmas from his mother’s childhood memories of California. Zaki's Ramadan Feast The story shares a Muslim's boy excitement about his first fast. This story about good intentions includes good information about the celebration.
FAMILY
Balloon for Grandad A father and son take turns sharing their poetic imaginings about an escaped balloon's journey to the other side of the world (Sudan) where the child's grandfather lives. Best Best Colors The story explores the different ways we can value what we love. A young boy’s inclusive way of enjoying difference extends to his love for his two mommas, and to all his friends. Crabs for Dinner The children in this story hate the Ghanian food their mother prepares when relatives come. But when Grandma arrives from Ghana, she wins them over to their own culture with her love and stories. Curses of Third Uncle A good thriller set in 1909, the story ties the difficult lives of people in Vancouver's Chinatown to the revolutionary struggles of Dr. Sun Yat Sen in China. Daddy Calls Me Man The book consists of four poems abut the links a young boy has with his family. The poems use simple vocabulary but are rich with sound and motion and emotionally deep moments. Dahling if you luv me, would you please please smile A funny and insightful story about a Muslim girl living between two cultures and trying to fit all her different selves together to make a good person. Dancer A young black woman dreams of being a professional ballerina. Part romance, the story also deals with questions of identity and self-worth. Day of Ahmed's Secret A day in the life of a young boy who hauls fuel to his customers in Cairo. His connections with the people on the street and with the long history of Cairo transform the entire city into his extended home.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Hairs Difference thrives in this family. All have differnt hair and skin, but it is the mother’s hair that evokes special memories of being held and safe and loved. Girl Who Hated Books A clever, funny story about book-loving parents and their book-hating daughter, Meena, living in a house overflowing with books in the oddest places. Grandfather Counts A grandfather's arrival from China brings some difficulties for a young girl, but these difficulties are bridged by the young girl's and old man's pleasure in teaching each other English and Chinese. Grandfather's Orchard A little Muslim girl and boy learn from their beloved grandfather how, for many generations, grandfathers have planted orchards for their grandchildren to enjoy and harvest. Grandpa Chatterji A superb chapter book about an amazing grandfather who comes to visit from India with nothing but a bedroll and a wealth of kindness and energy and delight, which he distributes to everyone he meets. Grandpa's Visit Work and endless technological toys keep everybody in this family busy and apart, until Grandpa arrives from a far country with a simple gift that brings the family together in real, creative play. Jamaica Louise James A little girl, determined to "paint her world" so as to record it all, shares her pictures and their stories with her family - her mom and grandma. Jin Woo An adopted boy deal with his resentment and insecurity when a new baby is adopted from Korea. Kim/Kimi A sixteen year old biracial girl feels she has a split identity. The difficulties and rewards of breaking through cultural and family barriers are explored with humour and grace. Knots on a Counting Rope A First Nations grandfather and his grandson together reconstruct the child's life. The story charts the child's success in overcoming his greatest challenge: he has learned to see despite his blindness. Laetitia A story set in the Caribbean about a girl's difficulties in beginning a new life, working for the future she imagines for herself and struggling to right some wrongs in the world around her Lights for Gita When there is an ice storm on Diwali, Gita must find new ways to make this day special. Love as Strong as Ginger A young girl accompanies her grandmother to her work and comes to see her grandmother in a new way. The struggles of first-generation immigrants are presented with humour and without sentimentality.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Mama Zooms A young boy's imagination transforms his mother's wheelchair into a ship, a racehorse, a train and much more, as he perches on her lap. Memory String A story about a girl coming to accept her new step-mother after her mom's death. Morning On The Lake A child’s wilderness trips with his grandfahter link the boy to a much larger family - his ancestors who moved through this same land, and the animals who shared the land with them. My Mom Is So Unusual A First Nations girl's perceptive and humourous rendering of her weird but wonderful mom. A realistic account of adult weaknesses, the story also depicts the joie de vivre this mom shares with her daughter. My Two Grandmothers A girl plans her own new tradition, a Grandmas' Party, so that her two grandmas— one Jewish, one Gentile— can share their cultures with each other, just as they have always shared them with her. Next Stop A girl sits at the front of a bus, remarking on everyone who gets on and off, and calling out sights of interest as the driver (her dad) names each stop. Night Shift Daddy Every night daddy tucks a little girl in with special words and gestures, and every morning it is her turn to carry out the same ritual, putting her night-shift daddy to bed. Pablo's Tree On his annual birthday visit to his grandfather, the boy and his grandfather take turns telling each other the reassuring story of the boy's life, which is interwoven with the life of Pablo's Tree. Philipok A retelling of a Leo Tolstoy tale, the story follows a small boy on his dangerous journey through his village (big dogs, gruff people) in search of the school he so much wants to attend. Roses Sing on New Snow Written as a contemporary Chinese fable, the story documents the oppression of a young woman by her father and brothers, who claim credit for all the amazing dishes she produces in their restaurant. Sachiko Means Happiness A young Japanese girl comes to understand her grandmother's Altzheimer's disease and finds new ways to relate to her. Shaman's Nephew A retelling of Inuit stories, this book illustrtes the values of sharing and respect that permeate the people's relations with each other, the past and the land.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Sitti's Secret When a little girl visits her grandmother in a Palestinian village on the other side of the earth, they find creative ways to communicate. Tell Me Again About The Night I Was Born This adoption story demonstrates, with lots of humour, how children learn their family's (and their own) histories and stories. Tortillas and Lullabies This dual language book is divided into 4 parts, each about a daily activity: making tortillas, washing, gathering flowers and singing lullabies Treasure for Lunch A story about a child too ashamed/fearful to share her culture with her classmates. Shaira loves her grandma's kebobs, but cannot imagine sharing them at lunch with her non-South Asian friends. Walk in My World, A An outstanding collection of stories by some of the world's greatest authors. These short stories deal with moments of childhood or young adulthood and are suitable for children from 12 up. We Are All Related This book is the result of a brilliantly conceived project in which 8-12 year old children created collages of photos, artwork, and written explanations of their diverse heritages. An excellent format for other classes to follow. What Have You Lost? A collection of poems exploring the theme of loss. Provides framework for children to do their own work. When the Soldiers Were Gone Based on a true story, this story is about a young boy who lives with a loving couple on their farm in the Netherlands during WWII, but discovers at the war's end that his wonderful 'parents' are only his loving protectors. Where Did You Get Your Moccasins? The question and answer format of this First Nations story has good patterning for young readers, with each answer (on alternate pages) incorporating all previous answers. Yesterday Stone A First Nations grandmother passes on the traditions of the Yesterday Stone but she accompanies her wisdom with a warning: such Native truths should not be shared with skeptics, for their scoffing may lead believers astray.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
JOURNEYS AND TRANSITIONS A Gift for Gita Gita’s memories and her longing for what she left behind in India, together with the things she loves about her new life, illustrate a theme in the lives of most immigrant children. Always Prayer Shawl The story follows a Jewish child from pre-revolutionary Russia through his adulthood and old age in Winnipeg, with strong details of work and family life in different cultures and historical periods. Barefoot Simple text about a “barefoot” – the name the wild animals have given to slaves fleeing to freedom along the underground railroad. Each animal serves in some way to assist the barefoot in his flight. Brand New Kid Told in light-hearted rhyme, the story enumerates the cruelties a class can inflict on a new boy who just doesn’t fit in. Finally, one girl reaches out, and discovers he’s a lot like everybody else. Camels Can Make You Homesick In this collection of short stories, five different children live within two different cultures, growing up both Canadian and South Asian. Days of Terror During the revolutionary period in Russia, a Mennonite family decides to escape to Canada. A moving adventure story, rich with historical detail. Dragon's Gate In 1867, a young Chinese man joins his father and other relatives in America, who are building a tunnel through the mountains for the transcontinental railroad. From Far and Wide Formatted as a scrapbook, this is a young Asian girl’s first-person recounting of her Canadian citizenship ceremony, including all the community preparations for the event and the celebrations afterwards. From Far Away Story is formatted as a letter from a 7 year old girl who has come to Canada from the Balkans. Ghost Train A young Chinese woman in 19th century Canada paints a magical train on which the souls of Chinese labourers, killed during railroad construction, can be taken back home to China. Going back Home A black artist journeys to the southern states to learn more about her ancestors, their traditions and music, and the struggles of their daily lives. Going with the Flow Mark has to cope not only with the difficulties of adjusting to a new school in mid-term— his sense of being an outsider is compounded by the fact that he is deaf and wears hearing aids.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Goodbye Vietnam A young Vietnamese girl and her family must flee political persecution. Determination, hope, love, and courage in the face of great injustices all find their expression in this story. Grandfather’s Journey When a grandfather, and much later, his grandson, become deeply attached to both America and Japan, their enjoyment of one ‘home’ always has at its heart a longing for their other life. Great Migration The great African-American artist Jacob Lawrence created 60 panels to depict the historical movement of African-Americans to the northern states through the period 1915-1940. The accompanying text describes their reasons for leaving and what they found on arrival in the North. Habibi A young woman and her family move from America back to Palestine, her father's birthplace, where she is confronted by relatives she does not know, speaking a language she cannot understand. Harriet's Daughter A young girl with roots in the Caribbean struggles for her identity, changes her name, and imaginatively places herself in the role of Harriet Tubman— living out her own escape from tyranny. I Hate English A young girl loves everything she can be and do – in Chinese. She rebels against speaking English because she fears “ she would lose something.” Journey Home A young girl visits Vietnam with her mother, who was adopted by an American family. The daughter expands her own understanding of her heritage and her sense of what ‘home’ can mean. Keeping Quilt A story of the lives of six generations of women, the events and Jewish traditions that connect them and the changes each generation introduces to the old ways. The Leaving Morning A young boy, and his older sister live through the difficult events and emotions involved in moving to a new community. Lotus Seed A young Vietnamese mother, transplanted to North America during the Vietnam War, brings with her a treasured lotus seed embodying her past and the history of her country. Magic Braid A South Asian girl uses the time when her mother braids her hair to connect with her family’s past: drawing pictures, looking at photographs and maps. Mama Across the Sea A young girl living with her grandparents on a Caribbean island, longs for her mother who must work on the cold, grey mainland.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
My Name is Maria Isabel Starting at a new school, a young girl from Puerto Rico is summarily given the name Mary by her teacher, because there are already too many Marias in the class. The girl finally finds a way to let her teacher know just how much her name means to her. Painted Words/Spoken Memories Two stories point out the different ways people find to communicate. In the first story,. Marianthe begins school unable to speak English, so she must paint her feelings and thoughts. In the second story, Marianthe’s English has improved, and she can paint pictures with her words, telling the story of her village and family in Greece. Place Called Freedom A black family gains freedom in 1832, and heads north. Told by the young son, the story documents the courage and pioneering skills of black men and women who settled the land and built a town called Freedom. Return, The This powerful story about the historical persecution of Ethiopian Jews is set during the brief period in19841985 when Operation Moses airlifted some 8,000 refugees from Sudan to Israel. Road to Chlifa Dedicated to the children of war, the story follows a Lebanese teenager, Karim, as he escapes war-torn Beirut, travels a dangerous route over the mountains to Chlifa, and then on to Montreal and a new life. Sees Behind Trees A First Nations boy with poor eyesight will never be a hunter, but his people recognize his great skill in seeing what others cannot see: through careful attention to what all his other senses are telling him, the invisible becomes present to him. Share the Sky A young girl raised by her grandparents in a Chinese village joins her parents in Canada. In letters back to China, the girl uses her new knowledge to set straight some of the mythical stories she used to hear about Canada from the villagers. Singing Bowls, The A powerful story about a mixed-race young man who travels to South Asia to find his father. Silence in the Mountains A young boy experiences civil war in an unnamed country in the Balkans, and, with his parents and grandparents, flees to the USA. Trip back Home With her mother, a small child visits her grandparents and aunt in a Korean village. Upside Down Boy Juanito, the son of migrant workers, relates his vivid perceptions of attending school for the first time, unable to speak English: “my tongue is a rock.”
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Wagon Wheels A black pioneer story based on actual events: three young brothers fend for themselves in a dugout home, deal with rattlesnakes and prairie fires, and then travel 150 miles on their own to join their father on the family farm Watsons Go to Birmingham, The This story is told by a middle child: the older brother is a 'genuine juvenile delinquent' who cares about no one but himself, and the younger sister is a sweet natured innocent. Full of humour, the story shifts gears with a terrible church bombing in Alabama, which the narrator witnesses during the family's visit to the south. When Jessie Came Across The Sea The story follows a Jewish girl's life from 13-16 years old as she leaves her grandmother and her poor village in Europe to begin a new life in America. Whispering Cloth This story unfolds in a refugee camp near the Thai border, where a young Hmong girl’s grandmother teaches her the art of stitching traditional Hmong tapestry, which preserves family memories. Willie Wins While Willie's father values his memories and objects from his childhood in the Philippines, Willie is just trying to fit into his North American surroundings, trying not to be different.
STRUGGLES AND PEACE Aani and the Tree Huggers The story is based on the Chipko (Hug a Tree) Movement in South Asia in the 1970s, when women successfully defended their "common forests" against loggers. Adem's Cross The story takes a war seen by many on television and makes it real in the life of a fourteen year old ethnic Albanian boy living in Serb-occupied Kosovo. All the Colors of the Earth With a simple line of lyrical prose per page, the many colors of the world's children, and the many colors of love, are vividly described in terms of the rich palette of the natural world - "the whispering gold of late summer grasses" - and by its luscious tastes - "love is chocolate, cinnamon and walnut." Asha's Mums Asha very much wants to go to the Science Centre. When having two moms seems to stand in her way, the issue of same-sex parents gets some general airing in the classroom. Baseball Saved Us A Japanese boy's powerful first person account of being interned during WWII and living in a racist society after the war.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Being with You this Way Set in a park, with densely populated illustrations of all the sorts of people who might be found there, this rhyme about sameness and difference moves from one person to the next, comparing hair, noses, eyes and arms. Big Box Three children who act and think outside the box are accordingly locked into a box because " they just can't handle their freedom." This book would invite serious discussion about the issue of 'the social good' versus individual freedoms. Breakaway 10-14 A young Chinese man in Depression-eraVancouver has struggled to help his family and to make a future for himself. He is a good student and a great soccer player, but he is living in a deeply racist society that does not want to recognize his skills. Butterfly, The A young girl in occupied France discovers her mother is in the resistance and harboring a Jewish family with a little girl in their basement. Christmas Menorah A powerful and moving story based on a true event in Billings Montana, when a Jewish family's window was smashed because they were displaying menorahs. Clara's War Clara and her family are ordered by the Nazis to leave their beloved Prague in 1943, along with thousands of other Jews. Crickwing When loneliness and a sense of powerlessness turn a cockroach into a bully, he is handily overpowered by the cooperative efforts of his tiny ant victims. But their unexpected kindness teaches him a lesson and transforms him into an unlikely hero. Dare to be Different An excellent collection of work sponsored by Amnesty International - historical fiction, poetry, mythic parables - by Langston Hughes, Beverley Naidoo, Jamila Gavin and many more. Each piece addresses issues of freedom and oppression The Day Gogo went to Vote A very old woman in South Africa teaches her granddaughter the family history and tells her about the time before the white people came. Now this grandmother (Gogo) is determined to be part of the momentous event marking the culmination of years of struggle in South Africa - the first vote by Black people. Encounter A Taino boy, present at Christopher Columbus's first landfall in the 'new world', recounts his perceptions of this fateful meeting. Gifted with prophetic dreams and a child's clear vision, the boy recognizes the avarice and violent intent of these men, but his childish warnings go unheard.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Fa Mulan The story of Fa Mulan, a mythic woman warrior, first mentioned in Chinese ballads around 500 A.D. An unapologetic celebration of fighting and war, the story also presents something of the art of war. Faithful Elephants The true WWII story about the animals in the Toyko Zoo who were put to death due to concerns that bomb explosions might destroy their cages, freeing them. Fire at the Triangle Factory An excellent early reader about the 1911 fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company in which 146 workers, all young girls and women, were killed. The friendship between two young women of different cultural and religious backgrounds perhaps saves both their lives. Freedom Child of the Sea A young boy, born on the Middle Passage as his dying mother was thrown overboard by slave traders, can emerge from the ocean only when all people are truly free and living in harmony. Gandhi This biography describes the early influences that shaped Gandhi’s life, and introduces the philosophy of passive resistance that informed his struggles for equality and led to actions such as fasting, non-violent civil disobedience and marches. Great Peace March This is Holly Near's rousing anthem for the great Peace March that crossed the American continent in 1986 to demand nuclear disarmament. Her moving lyrics touch on the deep roots of this struggle. I Can Hear the Sun A story about bleak lives - homeless people struggling with their demons, an orphaned 'special needs' boy shuffled about by authorities - that are transformed through unexpected friendships and a deep faith that it is possible to live free and whole. Just Like Martin A boy inspired by the speeches and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., wants to participate in the Freedom March on Washington, but his war vet father forbids it, ridiculing the notion of nonviolent protest. Make Someone Smile and 40 More Ways To Be a Peaceful Person These suggestions are accompanied by black and white photos that illustrate the point, sometimes cleverly. For example, the "compromise" is represented by a pizza with lots of different toppings. Morning Girl In alternating chapters, Morning Girl, a 12 year old Taino girl and her brother vividly recreate life on a Bahamian island in 1492. Morning Girl's last narrative bears witness to the incursion of the first Europeans into her world. My Name is Seepeetza A young girl, with a number of special names given her by her loving family - Tootie, Seepeetza -finds that these names are taken from her when she goes to live and study at a residential school, along with all the other things she treasures in her life.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
My Two Uncles An extended family is presented through the loving eyes of its youngest member, and includes the girl's two favourite uncles - her dad's brother and his partner. One Grain of Rice Set in ancient India, this clever mathematical folktale has a moral: even a raja (king) should not take more than he needs, leaving his subjects hungry. Name Calling How to deal with a cruel incident of name-calling? Find the culprit and make her apologize. But a surprise encounter highlights the forgotten importance of friendship and forgiveness, and puts things back on the right track. Naomi's Road Set during the 1940's, the story follows Naomi and her Japanese-Canadian family as they are removed from their home in Vancouver to an internment camp in the B.C. interior, and then to a farm in Alberta. Nightjohn Based on fact, this story is about an escaped slave who returns in order to teach reading to other slaves, to help set their minds free. Prejudice A collection of 15 stories featuring young people of different backgrounds- women, Natives and Asian Americans, gays and lesbians, disabled youth, Jews - who experience prejudice. Their experiences are disturbing, but also offer a path for transforming ignorance and discrimination into understanding and hope. Roses In My Carpet A Muslim boy in a refugee camp takes us through his day, full of labour, prayer, hunger, care for his mother and sister, and the shame of being dependent on aid. Only in the carpets he weaves can the boy insert some colour - the red of roses. Sami and the Time of the Troubles A boy in war-torn Beirut has two possible futures: replacing the toy gun he fashions from wood with a real one, or joining up with other children to challenge the senselessness of war, which we learn happened once before in Beirut - the March of the Children. Screaming Kind of Day A matter-of-fact first person account of a day in the life of a hearing-impaired girl, her brother (who is not above mocking her impairment or taking advantage of it), and her mother, preoccupied with her studies. Shabash Set in a small B.C. mill town in 1980, this is an emotional but accurate portrayal of a young Sikh boy who discovers prejudice when he decides to join the local minor hockey league team. Sister Anne's Hands In this story, a black nun must confront the hurtful racism of her white students. Her response is two fold: in part, an angry history lesson on the terrible cruelties of racism, and in part, a loving offering of an open heart, willing to accept everyone and start again.
Elizabeth Coelho: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
Somewhere Today On each 2 page spread, a series of photographs show a group of people working through a particular activity that will make the world a healthier and more harmonious place. The photos are accompanied by one line of text, with simple vocabulary, that explains the action. Story of Ruby Bridges The inspiring story of six-year-old Ruby Bridges, the first black child to attend a white elementary school in New Orleans. It was people like Ruby who really made integration happen in the face of tremendous hatred and cruelty. Tales from Gold Mountain Eight stories about Chinese people settling in Canada in the 19th century, working on the railways, in West Coast canneries, starting businesses and becoming skilled artisans. Part history, part cultural debate, part fairy tale. This Land is My Land George Littlechild’s stories and paintings reflect experiences and themes such as residential schools, being raised "white," ways to recover Indian pride, the traditional significance of the buffalo and the horse, and the destruction that has been wrought on Aboriginal life. Wings Ikarus, a boy who can fly with wondrous wings, is ridiculed, reined in and kicked out by children and adults alike. Only one girl sees his amazing beauty, as well as his loneliness, and dares to stand up for him. Woman who Outshone the Sun A legend from Mexico about people's fear and resentment of the strange and different. Forgiveness and renewal are possible only when they begin to accept with kindness all who are different.