Japan
The Friends
By Kazumi Yumoto, Cathy Hirano (Translator)
The Friends. Kazumi Yumoto. Translated by Cathy Hirano. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 1996. Originally published as 夏の庭 (Natsu no niwa) in Japanese by Fukutake Publishing Co., Ltd., in 1992. ISBN 9780374324605. 176 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
From the publisher: “In this award-winning book from Japan, three young boys curious about death learn--and teach--some valuable lessons about life and friendship.” Winner of the 1997 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction; ALA Notable Children's Book; 1997 Batchelder Award winner. [all]
How Do You Live?
By Genzaburō Yoshino, Bruno Navasky (Translator)
How Do You Live? Genzaburō Yoshino. Translated by Bruno Navasky. Foreword by Neil Gaiman. Algonquin Young Readers, 2021. This version originally published as 君たちはどう生きるか (Kimitachi wa dō ikiru ka) in Japanese by Iwanami Shoten Publishers, in Tokyo, in 1982; first published in Japan in 1937. ISBN 9781616209773. 288 p. (Ages 10 and up). Fiction.
A story about the complexities of life, history, and humanity, narrated in two voices: 15-year-old Copper describes his daily experiences at school and home, while his loving uncle offers wisdom and advice in the form of a journal. A 2021 Freeman Book Awards Young Adult/Middle School Literature Book of Note. Hayao Miyazaki (of Studio Ghibli) called this a childhood favorite and used it as inspiration for his final Studio Ghibli film. Tips for teaching this book: Middle School Teaching Aid from asianstudies.org. [all]
Kiki's Delivery Service
By Eiko Kadono, Emily Balistrieri (Translator), Yuta Onoda (Illustrator)
Kiki’s Delivery Service. Eiko Kadono. Translated by Emily Balistrieri. Illustrations by Yuta Onoda. Delacorte Press, 2020. Originally published as 魔女の宅急便 (Majyo no Takkyubin) in Japanese by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Inc., in Tokyo, in 1985. Kiki’s Delivery Service was originally published in English in 2003; this is a new translation. ISBN 9781984896667. 208 p. (Ages 8-12). Fiction.
From the publisher: “Thirteen-year-old half-witch Kiki travels to the town of Koriko, where she makes new friends, overcomes challenges, and shares her magic with her community to make the world a brighter place.” The book inspired the Hayao Miyazaki film by the same name. A Junior Library Guild selection. The author Eiko Kadono won the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2018. [all]
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
By Nahoko Uehashi, Cathy Hirano (Translator), Yuko Shimizu (Illustrator)
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. Nahoko Uehashi. Translated by Cathy Hirano. Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2008. Originally published as 精霊の守り人 (Seirei no moribito) in Japanese by Kaisei-Sha Publishing Co., Ltd., in Tokyo, in 1996. ISBN 9780545005425. 272 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
From the publisher: “Balsa was a wanderer and warrior for hire. Then she rescued a boy flung into a raging river -- and at that moment, her destiny changed. Now Balsa must protect the boy on his quest to deliver the great egg of the water spirit to its source in the sea.” Winner of 2009 Batchelder Award and selected for the 2009 ALSC Notable Children’s Book List. The sequel, Moribito II: Guardian of the Darkness won a 2010 Batchelder Honor. Author won the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2014. [all]
Night on the Milky Way Train (and nine other stories)
By Kenji Miyazawa, Roger Pulvers (Translator)
Night on the Milky Way Train (and nine other stories). Kenji Miyazawa. Translated by Roger Pulvers. Balestier Press, 2020. Originally published as 銀河鉄道の夜, in Japanese. Night on the Milky Way Train was first published in 1934. ISBN 9781911221852. 186 p. (Ages 10 and up). Fiction.
From the publisher: “This amazing story of two boys who find themselves on a miraculous train running through the heavens, has entranced Japanese readers for many years. What happens to the boys is a tale of both immense sorrow and equally immense hope.” “Night on the Milky Way Train” is widely considered a Japanese children’s classic, and the author has been compared to Lewis Carroll, Hans Christian Andersen, and the Brothers Grimm. Translator is the recipient of the 2008 Miyazawa Kenji Prize. [all]
The Secret of the Blue Glass
By Tomiko Inui, Ginny Tapley Takemori (Translator)
The Secret of the Blue Glass. Tomiko Inui. Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori. Pushkin Children’s Books, 2018. Originally published as 木かげの家の小人たち (Kokage no Ie no Kobitotachi) in Japanese by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Inc., in Tokyo, in 1967. ISBN 9781782691846. 192 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
From the publisher: “A classic story about a magical miniature family’s adventures in wartime Japan.” A 2019 GLLI Translated YA Book Prize shortlisted title; 2017 Marsh Award for Children’s Literature in Translation (UK). Author won several awards in Japan, including the Mainichi Publishing Culture Award and was a runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1964. [all]
Shuna's Journey
By Hayao Miyazaki, Alex Dudok de Wit (Translator), Hidao Miyazaki (Illustrator)
Shuna’s Journey. Hayao Miyazaki. Translated by Alex Dudok de Wit. Illustrated by Hidao Miyazaki. First Second, 2022. Originally published as シュナの旅 (Shuna no tabi) in Japanese by Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd., in Tokyo, in 1983. ISBN 9781250846525. 160 p. (Ages 12 and up). Graphic Novel.
From the publisher: “Shuna, the prince of a poor land, watches in despair as his people work themselves to death harvesting the little grain that grows there. And so, when a traveler presents him with a sample of seeds from a mysterious western land, he sets out to find the source of the golden grain, dreaming of a better life for his subjects.” Winner of the 2023 Eisner Award and a Junior Library Guild selection. Author co-founded animation company Studio Ghibli. Award-winning movies include Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and The Wind Also Rises. This was an early work for Miyazaki, appearing in English for the first time since it was published more than 40 years ago. It is an early indication of Miyazaki’s artwork style, and foreshadows many themes later explored in his films. For programming suggestions, see Teaching Books page from USBBY.[all]
Soul Lanterns
By Shaw Kuzki, Emily Balistrieri (Translator)
Soul Lanterns. Shaw Kuzki. Translated by Emily Balistrieri. Delacorte Press, 2021. Originally published as 光のうつしえ 廣島 ヒロシマ 広島 (Hikari no utsushie Hiroshima Hiroshima Hiroshima) in Japanese by Kodansha, Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2013. ISBN 9780593174357. 176 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
Every year on August 6, 12-year-old Nozomi joins her family and the rest of the community in a lantern-floating ceremony to honor those who lost their lives in the atomic bomb explosion. This year, Nozomi begins to ask questions about the people who died and discovers every survivor has a story as well. She and her friends use art to creatively share survivors’ experiences, and the community learns each others’ stories. A 2021 Freeman Book Award Selection of Note. Consider using the Hiroshima peace museum website for programming resources; includes information about scheduling an A-bomb survivor testimony via video conferencing. [all]
Temple Alley Summer
By Sachiko Kashiwaba, Avery Fischer Udagawa (Translator), Miho Satake (Illustrator)
Temple Alley Summer. Sachiko Kashiwaba. Translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa. Illustrations by Miho Satake. Yonder: Restless Books, 2021. Originally published as 帰命寺横丁の夏 (Kimyōji Yokochō no Natsu) in Japanese by Kodansha, Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2011. ISBN 9781632063038. 240 p. (Ages 8-13). Novel.
From the publisher: “From renowned Japanese children’s author Sachiko Kashiwaba, Temple Alley Summer is a fantastical and mysterious adventure featuring the living dead, a magical pearl, and a suspiciously nosy black cat named Kiriko.” Winner of the 2022 Batchelder Award, 2022 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and a Junior Library Guild Selection. Author’s other work includes the book The Marvelous Village Veiled in Mist, which was the inspiration for Studio Ghibli’s film Spirited Away, one of the most awarded animations of all time. A new translation will be available from late 2023. [all]
Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
By Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Dorothy Britton (Translator), Chihiro Iwasaki (Illustrator)
Totto-chan: the Little Girl at the Window. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. Translated by Dorothy Britton. Illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki. Paperback edition published by Kodansha, 2012. Originally published as 窓ぎわのトットちゃん (Madogiwa no Totto-chan) in Japanese, in 1981. Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window was first published in English in 1982. ISBN 9781568363912. 232 p. (Ages 8 and up). Nonfiction.
From the publisher: “This engaging series of childhood recollections tells about an ideal school in Tokyo during World War II that combined learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school had old railroad cars for classrooms, and it was run by an extraordinary man-its founder and headmaster, Sosaku Kobayashi--who was a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity.” The school was especially unique in the repressive and militaristic society of the time, but was unfortunately destroyed by bombing in 1945. A record-breaking best-seller, it was used as course material for third graders. The author was one of Japan's most popular tv personalities. [all]
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe
By Megumi Iwasa, Cathy Hirano (Translator), Jun Takabatake (Illustrator)
Yours Sincerely, Giraffe. Megumi Iwasa. Translated by Cathy Hirano. Illustrated by Jun Takabatake. Gecko Press USA, 2017. Originally published as ぼくはアフリカにすむキリンといいます (Boku wa Africa ni Sumu Kirin to Iimasu) in Japanese by Kaisei-sha Publishing Co., Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2001. ISBN 9781927271889. 104 p. (Ages 7-10). Fiction.
A bored giraffe decides to write a letter and see who answers. Penguin becomes his pen pal and a charming friendship develops as they get to know each other. Winner of 2018 German Children's Literature Award and a 2017 NYPL Top 10 book. [all]
Africa South of the Sahara
Ghana
The Kaya Girl
By Mamle Wolo, Sasha Illingworth (Illustrator)
The Kaya Girl. Mamle Wolo. Illustrated by Sasha Illingworth. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2022. Originally published by Techmate Publishers Ltd., in Ghana, in 2012 and then by Nsona Books in 2018. ISBN 9780316703932. 336 p. (Ages 9 and up). Fiction.
A rags-to-riches tale about Faiza, a Muslim migrant girl from northern Ghana, and Abena, a wealthy doctor’s daughter from the south. The two meet by chance in Accra, where Faiza works as a porter or kaya girl and develop a deep friendship that transcends social barriers. A 2022 Kirkus Best Children's Book, a 2023 Children's Africana Book Award Honor, and a Bank St. College Best Books selection. [gd]
South Africa
A Good Day for Climbing Trees
By Jaco Jacobs, Kobus Geldenhuys (Translator), Jim Tierney (Illustrator)
A Good Day for Climbing Trees. Jaco Jacobs. Translated by Kobus Geldenhuys. Illustrated by Jim Tierney. Rock the Boat, 2018. Originally published as ‘n Goeie dag vir boomklim in Afrikaans by Lapa, in South Africa, in 2015. ISBN 9781786073174. 160 p. (Ages 8-12). Fiction.
Marnus lives in the shadow of his two brothers until he meets a girl with a petition. Joining forces with Leila, the two inspire their town by fighting to save a tree. Nominated for the 2019 CILIP Carnegie Medal and selected one of the Spectator Best Books of the Year. [gd]
Here Comes Lolo
By Niki Daly
Here Comes Lolo. Niki Daly. Catalyst Press, 2020. Originally published by Otter-Barry Books, in Great Britain, in 2019. ISBN 9781946395337. 78 p. (Ages 4-9). Fiction.
Lolo is a little girl living with her mother and grandmother in South Africa. The first in a series of three books, Here Comes Lolo is composed of three stories that recount her hilarious adventures in getting a gold star at school, finding a missing ring, and rescuing a dog. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and nominated for the Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award. In this video Author Niki Daly Reads a story from Here Comes Lolo. Also check out Here Comes Lolo Teaching Guides from Catalyst Press. [gd]
Small Mercies
By Bridget Krone, Karen Vermeulen (Illustrator)
Small Mercies. Bridget Krone. Illustrated by Karen Vermeulen. Catalyst Press, 2020. Subsequently published by Walker Books, London, in 2020. ISBN: 9781946395160. 162 p. (Ages 8-12). Fiction.
Mercy lives with her two elderly foster aunts in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in a house that is falling apart at the seams and being eyed by a developer. After one of her classmates frames her for stealing the school’s raffle money, she meets Mr. Singh, who teaches her about how Gandhi stood up for what he believed in and how she needs to do the same. A 2022 Skipping Stones Honor Award recipient, a 2021 USBBY Outstanding International Books List title, and named a Best Middle-Grade Book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews. [gd]
Nigeria
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country
By Atinuke, Mouni Feddag (Illustratror)
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country. Atinuke. Illustrated by Mouni Feddag. Candlewick Press, 2021. Originally published by its UK sister company Walker Books in 2019. ISBN 9781536205374. 80 p. (Ages 7-10). Nonfiction.
This book profiles all 55 countries on the African continent. The author explores their varied geography, history, traditions, animals, and ecosystems. A 2022 USBBY Outstanding International Books List selection. See what Atinuke, a well-known Nigerian storyteller who lives in West Wales, has to say about her book: Introducing “Africa, Amazing Africa.” It’s my first non-fiction book. And it’s all about Africa! [gd]
Too Small Tola
By Atinuke, Onyinye Iwu (Illustrator)
Too Small Tola. Atinuke. Illustrated by Onyinye Iwu. Candlewick Press, 2021. Originally published in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries by Walker Books in 2020. ISBN 9781536211276. 96 p. (Ages 7-9). Fiction.
Three short stories about a small girl named Tola who lives with her family in Lagos, Nigeria. Written by Nigerian storyteller Atinuke, each story shows how despite Tola’s size, she is determined to help those around her. Not only does Tola help her family, but she helps her wider Lagos community. Recognition for Too Small Tola includes: the International School Libraries Network (ISLN) Red Dot Book Awards shortlist in 2023; the USBBY Outstanding International Books List; Publishers Weekly Best Books; finalist for the ALSC Notable Children’s Books in 2022; in 2021, Jhalak Prize Nominee for Children & YA; and finalist for the Cybils Awards for Easy Chapter Books. Too Small Tola is the first in a series of three books, followed by Too Small Tola Gets Tough, and Too Small Tola and the Three Fine Girls. Two videos from Atinuke introduce this book and the series: Atinuke reads from Too Small Tola (Walker Books). Longlist: Jhalak C&YA Prize; and Atinuke Introduction to “Too Small Tola” Series. [gd]
India
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability
By Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand, Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam (Illustrators)
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability. Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand. Illustrated by Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam. Navayana, 2011. First published by Navayana Publishing, in India, in 2011. Also available under the title Ambedkar: incidents in the life of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar from Tate Publishing, London, in 2013. ISBN 9788189059170. 108 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
An own-voices book that explores the story of one of India’s prominent revolutionaries, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956). Accompanied by groundbreaking illustrations by Pardhan-Gond artists, this is a must-read for children interested in learning more about Indian history. Would pair with March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. The illustrators are based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh region of India. Durgabai Vyam has illustrated dozens of books and won the Bologna Ragazzi award in 2008 for The Night Life of Trees. Subhash Vyam is a sculptor turned painter. Srividya Natarajan is a Canada-based dancer and novelist. S. Anand is the publisher of Navayana. This is a short video summarizing Bhimayana. [mi]
The Girl Who Loved to Sing: Teejan Bai
By Lavanya Karthik
The Girl Who Loved to Sing: Teejan Bai. Lavanya Karthik. Duckbill Books, 2021. ISBN 978014351518. 48 p. (Ages 7-9). Nonfiction.
Vividly illustrated story of the life of Teejan Bai, Pandavani Folk Singer, who had to fight for her freedom to sing. Would pair with She Sang for India by Suma Subramaniam. Pandavani is a folk singing style that involves narration of the tales from Mahabharata. This book is part of the Dreamers series, written and illustrated by the author, that tells inspiring stories about India’s greatest talents. Karthik lives in Mumbai with her family and is an award-winning writer and illustrator. Most of her stories center around the lives of older people. This is an interview with the author about the Dreamers Series. [mi]
Girls Want Azadi
By Kamla Bhasin, Shrujana Shridhar (Illustrator)
Girls Want Azadi. Kamla Bhasin. Translated by the author. Illustrated by Shrujana Shridhar. Pratham Books, 2021. Alternative title: Girls Also Want Azadi. Originally published in Hindi, in India. ISBN 9789390968756. 22 p. (Ages 9 and up). Poetry.
Written in a poetic style and illustrated in hand-painted gouache artwork, this book talks about the importance of understanding the fundamental rights granted by the Indian constitution especially to young girls and women. An empowering tale based on the original story, Betiya bhi chahe Azadi, in Hindi written by the author, it touches upon the gender equality for all women. Would pair with Dear Mrs. Naidu by Mathangi Subramanian. Kamla Bhasin is a feminist and development activist, closely linked to the women's movement. She passed away in 2021 in Delhi, India. This is a read-aloud video of the book. [mi]
Jamlo Walks
By Samina Mishra, Tarique Aziz (Illustrator)
Jamlo Walks. Samina Mishra. Illustrated by Tarique Aziz. Puffin Books, 2021. First published by Puffin Random House India, Haryana, India, in 2021. ISBN 9780143453178. 32 p. (Ages 7-9). Nonfiction.
A heart-wrenching story about Jamlo, a 12-year old child migrant worker, who passed away while trying to walk from Telangana to her village in Chattisgarh during COVID-19 pandemic. Accompanied with absorbing illustrations, this book exposes readers to the impact of the pandemic in India on young people, and ideas of death and struggle. Would pair with Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai. The author is based in New Delhi and is a documentary filmmaker, writer, and teacher. This book is dedicated to honor the memory of Jamlo. Here is a video of a read-aloud of Jamlo Walks. [mi]
Maithili and the Minotaur: Web of Woe
By C.G. Salamander, Rajiv Eipe (Illustrator)
Maithili and the Minotaur: Web of Woe. C. G. Salamander. Illustrated by Rajiv Eipe. Puffin Books, 2021. ISBN 9780143455189. 64 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
Maithili, an outcast in the human world, befriends monsters and goes on a journey of outlandish adventures with her friends. This book is one in the Outlandish Graphic Novel Series and is perfect for readers who love stories about monsters and adventures. Would pair with Natsume’s Book of Friends by Yuki Midorikawa and the Hilda series by Luke Pearson. The author is based in Chennai, India, and is a writer and comic journalist. Salamander loves to write in horror, humor, and fantasy genres. Here is an interview with the author. [mi]
Nava Durga: The Nine Forms of the Goddess
By Nalini Ramachandran, Priyanka Pachpande (Illustrator)
Nava Durga: The Nine Forms of the Goddess. Nalini Ramachandran. Illustrated by Priyanka Pachpande. Puffin Books, 2021. First published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Gurgram, Haryana, India, in 2020. ISBN 97801434449485. 96 p. Ages (6-9). Nonfiction.
This book tells the tale of India’s nine-day festival, Navaratri, and the nine different forms of Goddess Durga that accompany each day. With vibrant illustrations this book is perfect for readers interested in Indian mythology. Would pair with Greek Myths and Mazes by Jan Bajtlik. The author has written many books for young readers on various topics and styles. She is based in India and edits children's books and holds workshops on creative writing and storytelling. Here is a short video about the book. [mi]
Nimmi's Spectabulous Schooldays
By Shabnam Minwalla
Nimmi’s Spectabulous Schooldays. Shabnam Minwalla. Talking Cub, 2018. First published in New Delhi, India. ISBN 9789387693777. 160 p. (Ages 8-12). Fiction.
Eleven-year-old Nimmi Daruwala is just starting sixth grade and nothing seems to be going right. Part of the Nimmi series, this is a hilarious story about Nimmi and her misadventures with her friends. Would pair with the Lola Levine series by Monica Brown and the Malory Towers series by Enid Blyton. The author is a journalist and children’s book writer. She was the former Senior Assistant Editor of the Times of India newspaper in Mumbai. Here is a review of the book. [mi]
Savi and the Memory Keeper
By Bijal Vachharajani
Savi and the Memory Keeper. Bijal Vachharajani. Hachette India Children’s Books, 2021. First published in India. Also available in a US edition from Blackstone Publishing, Oregon, 2023. ISBN 9789391028015. 242 p. (Ages 10 and up). Fiction.
Savi has recently lost her father and has to move to a new city because of pollution. She finds an ally in a ficus tree in her school, who tells her stories. A story about personal grief layered with issues about climate change, Savi and the Memory Keeper asks its readers to view the natural world through a different lens. Would pair with A Snake Falls to Earth by Darci Little Badger. The author is based in Bengaluru, Karnataka region of India. She is the senior editor at Pratham Books and has a Masters in Environment Security and Peace from the University of Peace in Costa Rica. Vachharajani is part of the Nalada Abhiyan Library Campaign, a movement to set up community libraries across India. She has written multiple planet friendly books. The book has won the AutHer Award (2023) and the Green Lit Fest-WWF Honor List (2022). Here is a short interview with the author. [mi]
Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection
By Ita Mehrotra
Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection. Ita Mehrotra. Yoda Press, 2021. First published in India. ISBN 9789382579786. 127 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
A graphic account of the political sit-in led by Muslim women that started in Delhi in December 2019 and lasted till March 2020, just before the pandemic. With powerful illustrations this book is an iconic portrayal of women’s protest against the government. Would pair with Girls Want Azadi by Kamla Bhasin. The author is a visual artist, arts researcher, and educator living in New Delhi. She is currently the head of Community Arts for Artreach India, a non profit organization that helps young people, children, and women from marginalized communities across India. Listen to the podcast interview with the author on YouTube. [mi]
China & Taiwan
China
Bronze and Sunflower
By Cao Wenxuan, Helen Wang (Translator), Meilo So (Illustrator)
Bronze and Sunflower. Cao Wenxuan. Translated by Helen Wang. Illustrated by Meilo So. Candlewick, 2017. Originally published by Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing in China, and then released by Candlewick sister company Walker Books in the UK in 2015. ISBN 9780763688165. 400 p. (Ages 9-12.) Fiction.
The Cultural Revolution provides the largely unspoken background to this beautiful story, in which a 7-year-old girl and her artist father are forced to move to rural China to be re-educated. After her father dies early in the book, she is taken in by the poorest family in the village. Despite their vastly different circumstances, she forms a tight bond with her mute brother, new family and fellow villagers. Mutual love and caring enable them to endure fires, floods, lack of food and bitter cold. This book earned translator Helen Wang the 2017 Marsh Award for Translation of Children’s Literature. Raved librarian Betsy Bird, “It’s bold and unfamiliar. Touching and terrifying. Historical but somehow also timeless... Do you truly want your kids to be citizens of the world? Then hand that world to them. Give them this book.” [dj]
Dragonfly Eyes
By Cao Wenxuan, Helen Wang (Translator)
Dragonfly Eyes. Cao Wenxuan. Translated by Helen Wang. Candlewick, 2022. Originally published in China by by Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing and then released by Candlewick sister company Walker Books in the UK in 2021. ISBN 9781536200188. 384 p. (Ages 9-12.) Fiction.
A Batchelder honor book, this is the second novel of prolific Chinese author Cao Wenxuan to be translated into English, following his receipt of the 2016 Hans Christian Andersen Award. A more direct encounter with the turbulence of Chinese history than that presented in Bronze and Sunflower, it is a multi-generational saga of a mixed Chinese and French family in Shanghai from the 1920s to the 1960s, as they weather the Japanese invasion, the Communist takeover and the Cultural Revolution. [dj]
Monkey King: Journey to the West
By Wu Cheng'en, Julia Lovell (Translator)
Monkey King: Journey to the West. Wu Cheng’en. Translated by Julia Lovell. Forward by Gene Luen Yang. Penguin Books, 2021. ISBN 9780143107187. 339 p. (Ages 12 and up). Epic.
A new translation of a Chinese classic – “one of those books that if you grow up in China, you know the story,” says China scholar Jeffrey Wasserstrom. Abridged and rendered in colloquial English by University of London professor Julia Lovell, it traces the rollicking adventures of a shape-shifting monkey superhero with a penchant for mischief. Naturally pairs with Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese, which employs scenes from the Monkey King. [dj]
My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder
By Nie Jun, Edward Gauvin (Translator)
My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder. Nie Jun. Translated from French and Chinese by Edward Gauvin. Graphic Universe, 2018. First published as Les contes de la ruelle in French, in 2016. ISBN 9781541526426., 128 p. (Ages 7-11). Fiction.
A delightful set of four linked stories, told as a graphic novel, of a child and her grandfather living in a Beijing hutong—a neighborhood of narrow alleys and communal dwellings. It showcases the creativity and resilience of the residents, who though they may lack space and material goods, abound in humor and imagination. A 2019 Batchelder honor book, it was translated by Edward Gauvin from the French translation while consulting the Chinese original. [dj]
Rice
By Hongcheng Yu
Rice. Hongcheng Yu. Reycraft Books, 2020. ISBN 9781478869368. (Ages 8-12). Nonfiction.
A gorgeously illustrated nonfiction book on how rice is cultivated in China. Author/illustrator Hongcheng Yu lived in the mountains with farmers for two years to observe their planting and harvesting practices to create this book. Recipient of an honorable mention in the 2020 Freeman Book Awards, from the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia. [cr/dj]
White Fox
By Chen Jiatong, Jennifer Feeley (Translator), Viola Wong (Illustrator)
White Fox. Chen Jiatong. Translated by Jennifer Feeley. Illustrated by Viola Wong. Chicken House, 2019. First published by People’s Literature Publishing House, in China, in 2014. ISBN 9781912626083. 288 p. (Ages 8-12.) Fiction.
This is the first of two volumes to be translated of the best-selling Chinese middle-grade White Fox fantasy series to appear in English. It is the story of an orphaned arctic white fox who wants to become human, and searches for a magical moonstone that will give him that power. Translator Jennifer Feeley is winner of the 2017 Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize and a 2019 National Endowment for the Arts translation fellowship. [dj]
The Middle East & North Africa
Israel
Adam & Thomas
By Aharon Appelfeld, Jeffrey M. Green (Translator), Philippe Dumas (Illustrator)
Adam & Thomas. Aharon Appelfeld. Translated by Jeffrey M. Green. Illustrated by Philippe Dumas. Seven Stories Press, 2015. Originally published as Yalda Shelo Minhaolam Hazé (A Girl from Another World) in Hebrew by Kinneret Zmora-Bitan Dvir, in Modi’in, Israel, in 2013. ISBN 9781609806347. 149 p. (Ages 10 and up). Fiction.
It’s World War II in Poland, and the Jews have been rounded up to live in a ghetto. Adam and Thomas, two nine-year-olds, have been brought separately to the forest by their mothers to hide for the day. The boys find one another and join forces to survive for months, since neither mother returns that day. Adam “knows this forest and everything that’s in it” and Thomas is a great reader who does well in school. They survive by learning from each other and working together; benefiting from the kindness of others; and, in turn, helping others as they can. Master artist Philippe Dumas evokes the changing moods of the boys and the forest in sensitive ink-and-wash illustrations. More of a meditation on how to be in the world than a straightforward account of survival, the narrative raises philosophical questions of faith and more through the boys’ conversations. [ayg]
From Foe to Friend & Other Stories
By S.Y. Agnon, Shay Charka (Illustrator)
From Foe to Friend & Other Stories. S.Y. Agnon. A graphic novel by Shay Charka. Translated and adapted by Jeffrey Saks. The Toby Press, 2014. Originally published as Shay veAgnon: Sheloshah Sippurim in Hebrew by Schocken Publishing House Ltd., in Tel Aviv, in 2012. ISBN 9781592643950. 48 p. (Ages 12 and up). Graphic novel.
Well-known Israeli cartoonist Shay Charka has brought three of Nobel Prize winner Agnon’s stories – two of them regularly taught to Israeli children though they were also published for adults -- to a new audience. The artwork is engaging, accessible, and studded with little touches referencing Jewish history. “The Fable of the Goat” is particularly poignant. [ayg]
Palestine
The Blue Pool of Questions
By Māyā Abū al-Ḥayyāt, Hanan Awad (Translator), Hassan Manasrah (Illustrator)
The Blue Pool of Questions. Māyā Abū al-Ḥayyāt. Translated by Hanan Awad. Illustrated by Hassan Manasrah. Penny Candy Books, 2017. Originally published in Arabic by Birzeit: Palestine Writing Workshop, in Palestine, in 2016. ISBN 9780997221985. 32 p. (Ages 4 and up). Picture book.
A man asks one question, and another, until his questions begin to fill the busy city that has no time for him. Taking a dive into the pool, he teaches a lesson about curiosity and courage. Educators have paired this poetic book with events on asking obvious or difficult questions, and questions from around the world can be found at #bluepoolofquestions on X (formerly Twitter). Event prompts, directions, prompts and a sample poster can be found at Curious City. Winner of a 2016 Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature, illustration category. [ea]
Thunderbird: Book One
By Sonia Nimir, M. Lynx Qualey (Translator)
Thunderbird: Book One. Sonia Nimir. Translated by M. Lynx Qualey. University of Texas Press, 2022. Originally published as طائر الرع in Arabic by Tamer Institute, in Jerusalem, in 2016. ISBN 1477325816. 128 p. (Ages 10-13). Fiction.
Destiny has called for Noor, a 13-year-old Palestinian orphan, to fulfill a prophecy and keep the human and djinn worlds from colliding. Sent to collect four magical feathers, her quest takes her across time and to encounters with a feline djinn and powerful doppelganger versions of herself. Bringing together Ottoman, Mamluk and Ayyubid-era Palestine, this fast-paced fantasy is the first of a three-part trilogy. [ea]
Lebanon
Ghady & Rawan
By Fatimma Sharafeddine and Samar Mahfouz Barraj, Sawad Hussain and M. Lynx Qualey (Translators)
Ghady & Rawan. Fatima Sharafeddine and Samar Mahfouz Barraj. Translated by Sawad Hussain and M. Lynx Qualey. University of Texas Press, 2019. Originally published as غدي وروان in Arabic by دار الساقي in Beirut, in 2013. ISBN 1477318526. 134 p. (Ages 12-14). Fiction.
Two Lebanese eighth graders, Ghady and Rawan exchange emails to maintain their friendship during the school year when Ghady lives in Belgium. Ghady writes about his homesickness and social struggles and Rawan writes about her sometimes-difficult relationship with her family. They lean on each other to shoulder the burdens of life in both societies and celebrate one another’s successes. Bridges middle grade and YA, as subject matter leans older than writing style, including discussion of racism, xenophobia, bullying and cannabis. [ea]
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad
By Nahiba Mheidly, Maha Alhusseini (Translator), Louijaina al Aseel (Illustrator)
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad. Nahiba Mheidly. Translated by Maha Alhusseini. Illustrated by Loujaina Al Aseel. Dar Alhadaek, 2021. ISBN 6144392661. 72 p. (Ages 7-12). Nonfiction.
This book provides an engaging way to teach key stories and lessons from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and historical details on the origins of Islam. Colorful illustrations and Qur’anic verses punctuate the work. Written by a three-time Etisalat Award-winning author. [ea]
Iran
A Sweet Jam
By Hūshang Murādī Kirmānī, Caroline Croskery (Translator)
A Sweet Jam. Hūshang Murādī Kirmānī. Translated by Caroline Croskery. CreateSpace, 2015. Originally published as مرباى شيرين in Farsi in 1998/1999 by Muʻīn in Tehran. ISBN 1507886241. 158 p. (Ages 9-12). Fiction.
A stuck jam jar sends 12-year-old Jalal to his teachers, neighbors, family, and anyone else who can help. Jalal’s mission to eat his breakfast contains a story of courage, persistence, and community. Well known within Iran, Kermani’s work has been widely translated and regularly wins international book awards. [ea]
Syria
Wild Poppies
By Haya Saleh
Wild Poppies. Haya Saleh. Translated by M. Lynx Qualey. Levine Querido, 2023. Originally published as شقائق النعمان in Arabic by Dar al-Yasmine in Amman. ISBN 9781646142019. 178 p. (Ages 10-14). Fiction.
Oscar works to keep his family intact after their displacement during the Syrian war and the death of his father. He faces a new challenge when his younger brother becomes a child soldier. Heavy themes are delivered in a way appropriate for a mature young audience. The Arabic version was the 2020 Winner of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children’s Literature in the YA category and was featured in an appeal by ArabLit Quarterly to translate the book into English. [ea]
Latin America
Chile
Book of Questions
By Pablo Neruda, Sara Lissa Paulson (Translator), Paloma Valdivia (Illustrator)
Book of Questions: Selections/Libro de las preguntas: Selecciones. Pablo Neruda. Translated by Sara Lissa Paulson. Illustrated by Paloma Valdivia. Enchanted Lion Books, 2022. Originally published as Libro de las preguntas in Spanish by Editorial Losada, Buenos Aires, in 1974. ISBN 9781592703227. 80 p. (Ages 6 and up). Poetry.
A lavish, large-format bilingual abridged and illustrated version of Chilean Nobel Prize winner Neruda’s Book of Questions. Newly translated. Sweeping bold, stylized illustrations by Chilean illustrator Valdivia dramatize but do not answer rhetorical questions about the natural world, leaving plenty of room for exploration and wonder. Valdivia has been shortlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration. [ayg]
Argentina
Jungle Tales
By Horacio Quiroga, Jeff Zorrilla (Translator), Bert van Wijk (Illustrator)
Jungle Tales. Horacio Quiroga. Translated by Jeff Zorrilla. Illustrated by Bert van Wijk. Brigham Distributing, 2013, c2012. Originally published as Cuentos de la Selva in Spanish, in Argentina, in 1918. ISBN 9780615708072. 87 p. (Ages 9-11). Fiction.
There are many translations of this classic collection of eight short stories well known to schoolchildren in Argentina: this one, a large-format paperback, marries an engaging tone with bright, stylized artwork by Dutch illustrator Bert van Wijk. The stories revolve around human-animal and animal-animal alliances and incursions. There is an original pourquoi story about how the flamingos got their red legs. And a story of great heroism and self-sacrifice in which a giant tortoise walks hundreds of kilometers to carry his sick friend, a man, from the jungle to safety in Buenos Aires. The illustrated glossary of jungle animals is an especially nice touch. [ayg]
Mexico
The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas
By María García Esperón, David Bowles (Translator), Amanda Mijangos (Illustrator)
The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas. María García Esperón. Translated by David Bowles. Illustrated by Amanda Mijangos. Levine Querido, 2021. Originally published as Diccionario de mitos de América by Ediciones El Naranjo, Mexico City, Mexico, in 2018. ISBN 9781646140152. 240 p. (Ages 8-14). Nonfiction.
An anthology of stories from native peoples which includes different cultures and nations from across both North and South America. A 2022 Batchelder Honor Book. [jm]
Brazil
My Sweet Orange Tree
By José Mauro de Vasconcelos, Alison Entrekin (Translator)
My Sweet Orange Tree. José Mauro de Vasconcelos. Translated by Alison Entrekin. Candlewick, 2019. Originally published as O Meu Pé de Laranja Lima in Portuguese by Editora Melhoramentos, in Brazil, in 1968. ISBN 9781536203288. 272 p. (Ages 12 and up). Fiction.
A Brazilian classic that has never been out of print, My Sweet Orange Tree features a precocious but naughty five year old whose hard-scrabble family beats him severely when he gets into trouble. Through his mischief-making he finally meets someone who shows him what it means to truly care for somebody. Though this book is commonly taught at the elementary school level in Brazil, it has been categorized as young adult in the United States because of its dark themes including poverty, violence, and death. A 2012 film adaptation won the 2014 Cinema Brazil Grand Prize in the children’s film category. [dj]
Venezuela
Different: A Story of the Spanish Civil War
By Mónica Montañés, Lawrence Schimel, Eva Sánchez Gómez (Illustrator)
Different: A Story of the Spanish Civil War. Mónica Montañés. Translated by Lawrence Schimel. Illustrated by Eva Sánchez Gómez. Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Originally published as Los distintos by Ediciones Ekaré in Barcelona, Spain, in 2020. ISBN 9780802855985. 88 p. (Ages 9-14). Fiction.
Seven-year-old Socorro and nine-year-old Paco live in the aftermath of the civil war that raged across Spain between 1936-1939. Francisco Franco's persecution of anyone who once opposed him has caused their father to flee the country. Paco, Socorro, and their mother must "keep their heads down" until a letter comes from their father containing hope that they may soon reunite as a family in Venezuela. Appendices at the back of the book provide historical context. A Batchelder Honor Book and a USBBY Outstanding International Books selection. [jm]
El Salvador
Guacamole: A Cooking Poem
By Jorge Argueta, Elisa Amado, Margarita Sada (Illustrator)
Guacamole: Un poema para cocinar /A Cooking Poem (Bilingual Cooking Poems). Jorge Argueta. Translated from the Spanish by Elisa Amado. Illustrated by Margarita Sada. Groundwood Books/Libros Tigrillo/House of Anansi Press, 2016, c2012. ISBN 9781554988884. 32 p. (Ages 5-8). Poetry.
A recipe/poem for guacamole that will get kids excited about cooking other foods too! This is the third book in the “Bilingual Cooking Poems” series, which currently numbers five. Recipient of the International Latino Book Award, Jorge Argueta has also won many more awards for his books, which have been placed on the Américas Award Commended List, the USBBY Outstanding International Books List, Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books, and the Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices. Though Argueta is a Pipil Nahua Indian and spent much of his life in El Salvador, he now lives in California. [jm]