What is life like for other people in different places? How was life in different times? We can find facts online but the best way to create empathy and understanding is through books and good stories.
The Moon’s Journey by Beryl Young, illustrated by Sean Huang, is based on the true story of an Irish family immigrating to Canada in the 1950’s. Faith is sad to leave home. She has to give away her dearest possessions, including her dog, and say goodbye to the house she loves. She will also miss the moon that always shone in the night sky. But her brother promises to ask the captain of the ship that will take them across the ocean, to tow the moon behind the ship. All through the voyage, Faith worries because the moon is not there, in the cloudy, foggy skies. But she is happy to see her father again, who takes them from Pier 21 in Nova Scotia to their new house, where a kitten awaits her. And when the family gathers outside that night, a bright full moon greets them over their new home. A lovely story about immigration and moving to a new place. ISBN 978-088-9957-473, Fitzhenry & Whiteside
One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley is not a new book by any means. But it is a perfect book. Especially for international schools. With sparse language and gorgeous photos, this picturebook shows that people, and especially children, around the world do similar things in their daily lives. They wake up, make breakfast, go to school albeit in many different ways. They have chores or homework and spend time with their families. A perfect book that will interest readers of all ages and can lead to wonderful shared reading, discussions and writing of personal stories in the classroom. ISBN 978-1-4263-0460-6, National Geographic Partners (I also see a Scholastic edition. If you can’t find it in your local bookstore, you can order it online at: www.betterworldbooks.com)
The Bluest Sky by Christina Diaz Gonzalez is a novel set in the 1980’s in Cuba. Héctor has grown up in a country under communist regime. He doesn’t really know his father, who spoke out against the regime and consequently spent time in prison and was then exiled to the USA. Now his mother wants to leave, too. But if that fact becomes known, his family would be labeled as traitors and their lives would be in danger. Does Héctor really want to know his home country, his friends and family? Will he leave everything behind and find freedom in the US or will it cost his family their lives? This exciting story paints a realistic picture of what life was life in Cuba in the 1980’s.
ISBN 978-0-593-37279-1, Random House Kids
Book Uncle and Me by Uma Krishnaswami is a fun chapter book for young readers based in a city in India. Yasmin and her friends are upset when they discover that the Free Little Lending Library on the street near their apartment building has been ordered to close. But the books Book Uncle has lent them, encourage Yasmin to take action. Upcoming city elections help her to get her teacher and class involved. Many letters to the candidates running for mayor help to get Book Uncle back in business. A fun read for booklovers and young activists. ISBN 978-1-55498-808-2, Groundwood Books
Margriet Ruurs writes books for children in Canada. She reads all the time and presents writing workshops at International Schools. Book now for the next school year: www.margrietruurs.com