Youths4Peace Literature

Gantschev, Ivan.  Where is Mr. Mole?   Picture Book Studio, 1989.  ISBN:  0887081096.

Owl tries to track down his friend Mole who left home in search of friendship; and though owl fails to find him, Mole does turn up again with precisely what he needs.

Gray, Nigel. Illustrated by Philippe Dupasquier.  A Country Far Away. Orchard Books, 1989.  ISBN:  0531057925.

Parallel pictures reveal the essential similarities between the lives of two boys, one in a western country, one in a rural African village.

Grifalconi, Ann.  Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney.  Ain't Nobody a Stranger to Me!  Jump At the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, 2007.  ISBN:  0786818570.

In this touching and inspiring tale, grandfather passes lessons of love and friendship on to his granddaughter. Loosely based on the life of a former slave who really did utter and believe the words Ain't nobody a stranger to me!, this is the remarkable account of one family's experience on the Underground Railroad. Preschool & up.

Hest, Amy. Illustrated by Heather Maione.  Remembering Mrs. Rossi. Candlewick Press, 2007.  ISBN:  0763621636.

When eight-year-old Annie Rossi's mother got sick, no one expected her to die least of all Annie. In this tender story about coping with death, the reader gets a glimpse of what life is like for Annie and her father through a year full of change. 2008 Notable Book.  Gr. 3 & up.

Grimes, Nikki. Illustrated by Mike Benny.  Oh, Brother! Amistad/an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 2008. ISBN:  0688172947.

Davey's mom is getting remarried, but he's not happy because he suddenly finds that he has a new stepfather and stepbrother living in his home. Set in 18 poems, Davey shares his feelings about his new family and his relationship with them, especially his stepbrother. Preschool & up.

Kadohata, Cynthia. Kira-Kira.  Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2004. ISBN:  0689856393.

Set in the 1950s and told through the eyes of an American-born Japanese girl, Katie describes what life was like living as one of the 31 Japanese people (out of a population of 4,001 Chesterfield residents) living in the deep south of Georgia. Struggling under racism and meager wages earned at the poultry hatchery, Katie manages to view their family's sufferings through her big sister's eyes with "glittering" or kira-kira effects. As Katie states, "Lynn could take a simple, everyday object like a box of Kleenex and use it to prove how amazing the world is." Gr. 4 & up.

Jules, Jacqueline. Illustrated by Amy Huntington. No English.  Mitten Press, 2007. ISBN:  1587264740.

Blanca is the new Second Grade student from Argentina. She doesn't talk much. Instead, she likes to draw pictures, especially when it's time for Spelling. When she's spoken to, she replies, "No English!" Diane, who sits next to her, wants to be her friend, but doesn't know how. This powerful story portrays the frustrations and adaptations children go through when learning a new language. Gr. 2 & up.

Langton, Jane. Illustrated by Erik Blegvad.  The Fragile flag.  Harper & Row, 1984. ISBN:  0060236981.

"Everything depends on them...." When Georgie Hall decides to walk from Concord, Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C., with a letter to the President and an old flag capable of producing magical visions, no one doubts that she has the will or ability to do it. Along with her step-cousins Eleanor and Eddy, Georgie begins the Children's Crusade to stop the President from building a globally fatal nuclear bomb, known as the Peace Missile. But 450 miles is a long way to walk, and even as the Crusade picks up members along the way, its marchers can't help but wonder if their actions will make a difference, or if it is already too late....

Levitin, Sonia.  Illustrated by Guy Porfirio.  Junk Man's Daughter.  Sleeping Bear Press/Tales of Young Americans Series, 2007.  ISBN: 1585363155.

It wasn't long after arriving in America that Hanna learned that the streets were not paved with gold. Instead, her family was met with great struggle.  Her father and mother both worked hard just to make enough money for the family to survive.  Then one day Hanna sees something glinting in the sunlight - something like gold!  She and her family begin collecting "junk" to sell, and after long days and nights and much hard work, they finally earn enough to buy a cart to haul the junk around in, and then enough to buy a truck.  By the time Hanna is an adult, the family owns a fleet of trucks and a very profitable company.  Gr. 1 and up.

Lindbergh, Reeve. Illustrated by Kathryn Brown.  My Little Grandmother Often Forgets.  Candlewick Press, 2007. ISBN:  0763619893.

Tom's grandmother is very forgetful.  But Tom doesn't mind.  He loves to help her and spend time with her, playing checkers, or just sitting quietly.  The special bond between a beloved grandmother affected by memory loss and her patient, devoted grandson is described in Reeve Lindbergh's most personal book for children, one that is based on her own and her son's relationship with her mother in the last years of her life.  Preschool & up.

Lowry, Lois.  The Giver.  Houghton Mifflin, 1993.        ISBN: 0395645662.

Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. His life is about to change as he is entitled the assignment of Receiver of Memories.  Through his training from the present Receiver of Memories - The Giver, he comes to realize that his world isn't as perfect as it seems since The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life.  "The Giver" received the Newbery Medal in 1994.

Mandali, Monique.  Peace Mandala:  Coloring Book From Children Around The World.  Mandali Publishing, 2000.                  ISBN: 1585920614.

A collection of peace mandala coloring designs by children from all over.

McCormick, Patricia. Sold. Hyperion Books for Children, 2006. ISBN: 0786851716.

Told through the eyes of Lakshmi, this thirteen-year-old girl living in a small hut in the mountains of Nepal, must go out to work to support her family. Little does she realize that she is about to take a job that would never get her family out of debt. Her life is about to turn into a nightmare. Written in vignettes, this powerful story gives the reader a small but real glimpse into the sex trade happening in the world today. A story filled with sadness and horror, but also triumph. Gr. 7-12.

McKissack, Patricia C. Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney. The All-I'll-Ever-Want Christmas Doll. Schwartz & Wade Books, 2007. ISBN: 0375837593.

All Laura Nell Pearson ever wanted for Christmas was a Baby Betty Doll. But times are hard, yet she still hopes. Tenderly told about a family during the time of the Great Depression, this story gives a small taste of what life was like for one family during difficult times. Gr. 2 & up.

Morales, Yuyi.  Little Night.  A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press, 2007.  ISBN:  1596430885.

Mother Sky takes care of her daughter, Little Night, while getting her ready for bed.  The author has a special note about meeting two mothers during the making of this book, who are dealing with cancer and poverty while trying to raise their children. Beautifully illustrated, this book is a tribute to the loving efforts to all mothers raising their children.   For toddlers & up.

FICTION

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