Koncocoo

Best Children's Explore Asia Fiction

Inside Out and Back Again
This moving story of one girl's year of change, dreams, grief, and healing received four starred reviews, including one from Kirkus which proclaimed it "enlightening, poignant, and unexpectedly funny." Written in accessible, short free-verse poems, Hà’s immediate narrative describes her mistakes—both humorous and heartbreaking—with grammar, customs, and dress (she wears a flannel nightgown to school, for example); and readers will be moved by Hà’s sorrow as they recognize the anguish of being the outcast who spends lunchtime hiding in the bathroom. Eventually, Hà does get back at the sneering kids who bully her at school, and she finds help adjusting to her new life from a kind teacher who lost a son in Vietnam.
Reviews
"Loved the beautiful poetry, but more than that I loved that it brings to life what so many refugees go through."
"Especially in today's world... we are all one."
"Well written, it is a prose poetry style, evoking vivid images in a quick few words."
"Writing in lines like a free verse poem allows the sensory aspect of the novel to flow without the constraints of grammar."
"I liked how Ha explained how it fills to learn a new language ,but it wasn't a very long book.I recommend this book to people who like to get to know the character."
"The author's prose is simple yet pulls readers into the heart of the main character's struggle to begin a new life in Alabama."
"Great and simple way to introduce an experience of many Vietnamese immigrants in 1975."
"I ordered this book for my son's Book Club."
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Sold
Though she is desperately poor, her life is full of simple pleasures, like playing hopscotch with her best friend from school, and having her mother brush her hair by the light of an oil lamp. Grade 9 Up – As this heartbreaking story opens, 13-year-old Lakshmi lives an ordinary life in Nepal, going to school and thinking of the boy she is to marry. Part of McCormicks research for this novel involved interviewing women in Nepal and India, and her depth of detail makes the characters believable and their misery palpable. Lakshmi, 13, knows nothing about the world beyond her village shack in the Himalayas of Nepal, and when her family loses the little it has in a monsoon, she grabs a chance to work as a maid in the city so she can send money back home. In beautiful clear prose and free verse that remains true to the child's viewpoint, first-person, present-tense vignettes fill in Lakshmi's story.
Reviews
"Writing about how Nepalese girls are sold into slavery and taken to India to be forced into a life of prostitution is no easy matter -- especially in a YA book. It is he who ultimately gambles what little they have away and heartlessly sells his stepdaughter into slavery (she assumes she is going off to be a maid and bravely vows to send what she earns home so her Ama can install a tin roof on their hut)."
"At first Lakshmi shows some resistance but when she is told that she must work off her debt and that it goes to her family her resistance weakens and she does what she is told...there are many smaller characters from this point on in the book that warmed my heart like one of the other girl's sons, and the tea boy...they offered Lakshmi hope where there was little."
"I was saddened enough to learn of the squalid conditions of Lakshmi's life in her home country of Nepal, but once her stepfather insisted she be "sold" to be a maid (sic) to help the family out financially is when the drama really begins. Because she is starting to feel uneasy, she wants to remember the way back home--just in case--but it "is like trying to clutch a handful of fog." Yet, she has a feeling of duty to her mother, Ama, so she also tries to forget her uneasiness, which is "like trying to hold back the monsoon." Her step father bargained her away for 600 rupies ($11.00)--with the promise of more--and she was sold again until her value reached 10,000 rubies ($185), but her female, slave-holding employer places 20,000 rubies ($370) on the books as her debt--to cover all expenses: food, heat, medical shots and such. This book was researched in 2005-plus when "12,000 Nepali [only] girls were sold by their families, unwittingly--that's the only saving grace--into a life of sexual slavery in the brothels of India" (p. 165)."
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Pashmina
Priyanka Das has so many unanswered questions: Why did her mother abandon her home in India years ago? But Pri’s mom avoids these questions—the topic of India is permanently closed. "Chanani masterfully turns the complex immigrant narrative into a magical and captivating work of art." ― Teen Vogue “Colorful and deeply personal, Pashmina illuminates the experience of an Indian-American teenager and invites us to contemplate the power of our choices.” ―Gene Luen Yang, national bestselling author of American Born Chinese "Pashmina is filled to the brim with magic and heart.” ―Victoria Jamieson, author or Roller Girl. One work can’t represent a whole subcontinent, but readers will come away with a living sense of a small part of it―and characters to care about." ― Publishers Weekly, starred review "This dazzling blend of realistic fiction and fantasy is perfect for fans of characters who have to overcome obstacles on their way to growing up."
Reviews
"Gorgeous and original."
"Bought as a Christmas gift for my granddaughter."
"Arriving in India is thrilling and offers so many new experiences but as Pri explores more of the country and learns more about her family, she realizes that the visions from the shawl are far from the truth in Pashmina (2017) by Nidhi Chanani. The plot stops short of exploring some of the more complicated issues like the sometimes strained relationship of Pri's aunt and uncle in India, although overall this comic is nuanced and thoughtful. Chanani blends fantasy elements well with accurate and honest portrayals of Pri's life as the child of an Indian immigrant as well as the hardships, cultural heritage, and beauty that can be found in India."
"Versus in this book Priyanka's mother hardly ever wanted to speak to her about the topic. Aside from a story of discovering her roots, Pashmina also touches on topics like bullying, being a first generation American, the clash between cultures and generations, and language struggles (among other things)."
"I have collected and followed her art for years."
"I find that some graphic novels do a wonderful job taking what has meaning and preparing it in a concise way so that the reader is able to take it in easier and it ends up having more impact. Overall, I think this book is wonderful for SO many reasons, if you have a young reader, reluctant reader, or one that likes to learn about cultures, this is definitely a book to grab."
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Best Children's Explore Africa Fiction

A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story
Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way. *Starred Review* After 11-year-old Salva’s school in Sudan is attacked by brutal rebel soldiers in 1985, he describes several terrifying years on the run in visceral detail: “The rain, the mad current, the bullets, the crocodiles, the welter of arms and legs, the screams, the blood.” Finally, he makes it to refugee camps in Ethiopia and then Kenya, where he is one of 3,000 young men chosen to go to America. In chapters that alternate with Salva’s story, Nya, a young Sudanese girl in 2008, talks about daily life, in which she walks eight hours to fetch water for her family. Then, a miracle happens: Salva returns home to help his people and builds a well, making fresh water available for the community and freeing Nya to go to school. The switching viewpoints may initially disorient some, but young readers will be stunned by the triumphant climax of the former refugee who makes a difference with the necessities that we all take for granted. Teachers may want to point out the allusion to Nelson Mandela’s A Long Walk to Freedom (1995) echoed in this moving book’s title.
Reviews
"I bought the feature that reads it to him which he loved and made it more interesting since they had music and the reader used different voices for each character."
"While I mourned for Salva for the loss of his brothers, his uncle, and his childhood, I rejoiced in his perseverance, his dedication, the friendships, and the love he discovered along his journey."
"First of all I didn't realize this was a true story, don't know how I missed it."
"Bought this for my grandson , great price and he needed it for school project."
"My niece read this for school on my Kindle."
"Amazing story with quite a twist."
"Great product and quick delivery...highly recommend!"
"My granddaughter loved this book!!"
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Best Children's Explore Canada Fiction

The Gift Of The Inuksuk (Tales of the World)
Many made by ancient hands, the Inuksuit (inNUKsweet) purposes are varied, from earthly uses such as navigation and message centers to those of the spirit, as sites of reverence. Artist Melanie Rose's charming and lively oil paintings bring great variety and surprising bursts of color to this unique northern story.Mike lives in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with his wife Agnes Bongers and their three daughters: Sadie, Hannah and Madalyn. Rose effectively uses blues, purples, and browns in her oil paintings to conjure up the cold and barren landscape and warmer tones for the expressive faces of the people. In a few places, Ulmer's poetic sentences ("a great storm drained the color from the earth") may initially confuse children, but her reverent story of a resourceful girl will encourage interest in Arctic cultures. Rose's thickly brushed acrylic paintings beautifully capture the blue Arctic light; the wide, sweeping snowscapes; and the deep relationship between humans and animals in the barren land.
Reviews
"This was a gift for my daughter who was doing the Inuit culture with her class."
"This is the story of the origins of the Inuksuit, the stone people, that are very characteristic of the Inuit culture, as imagined by the author."
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Best Children's Explore Middle East Fiction

The Bronze Bow
In this Newbery Medal-winning novel, Daniel bar Jamin is fired by only one passion: to avenge his father's death by crucifixion by driving the Roman legions from his land of Israel. "A dramatic, deeply felt narrative whose characters and message will long be remembered."
Reviews
"If you like this book I encourage you to read other books by this timeless author."
"I enjoyed the beginning like most Speare books and this one actually kept me hooked."
"My daughter was assigned this book at school."
"Great book that I used for a school project."
"My son does not like to read but he is really enjoying this book."
"The story is involved and intricate with enough action and adventure to capture my 9 year old son but also enough romance to intrigue my 12 year old daughter."
"This was the Newbery Medal book for 1962."
"Although fiction this book was a powerful tale of redemption and faith."
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Best Children's Explore United States Fiction

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims: Time-Travel Adventures with Exceptional Americans
America’s #1 radio talk-show host and multi-million-copy #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a book for young readers with a history teacher who travels back in time to have adventures with exceptional Americans. Talk about a rock star—this guy wanted to protect young America so badly, he rode through those bumpy, cobblestone-y streets shouting “the British are coming!” On a horse. But what if you could get the real picture—by actually going back in time and seeing with your own eyes how our great country came to be? Our exceptional nation is waiting to be discovered all over again by exceptional young patriots— like you ! After offering a wide-ranging definition of American exceptionalism that begins with the statement that the U.S. is a “land built on true freedom and individual liberty, and it defends both around the world,” Limbaugh goes on to explain that the Founders believed all people were born to be “free as individuals.” Really? The book’s premise is that a substitute history teacher, Rush Revere, who dresses like his hero, Paul, along with his talking horse, Liberty, can go back in time. The text is wordy, and many of the pages are spent on the banter between Rush and Liberty, occasionally amusing but mostly just filling space, as do the tedious explanations of the way time travel works. They hadn’t been spoiled by wall-to-wall carpets, central heating and microwave ovens.” The fact that many modern-day people do experience incredible hardships, albeit different from the Pilgrims, seems not to have occurred to Limbaugh. Apparently, the turnaround for the struggling colony came “when every family was assigned its own plot of land to work.” Rush Revere drives home the point that it was after the Pilgrims stopped sharing the profits that success was ensured. Even Squanto adds, “No more slaves to the Common House.” As for factual inaccuracies, Paul Revere never said, “The British are coming!” That was Mr. Longfellow.
Reviews
"Great story to get your kids interested in the history of our nation."
"Does not gloss over or belittle of Pilgrims' accomplishments."
"Gift for my home-schooled granddaughter."
"My 8 yr old loves these books!"
"my grandson of 8 can't wait for the next one."
"Humor to teach US history."
"purchased copies for all the grandchildren."
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Best Children's Europe & Russia Fiction

Anna and the French Kiss
Anna can't wait for her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a good job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's not too thrilled when her father unexpectedly ships her off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair, the perfect boy. Will a year of romantic near-misses end in the French kiss Anna awaits? “ Anna and the French Kiss charms [readers] with its Parisian setting and très bien boy.”. — MTV.com. --Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of Peace, Love and Baby Ducks and Let It Snow. Gr 9 Up–Anna Oliphant has big plans for her senior year in Atlanta: hang out with her best friend, Bridgette, and flirt with her coworker at the Royal Midtown 14 multiplex. Teens will feel like they are strolling through the City of Lights in this starry-eyed story of finding love when you least expect it.–Kimberly Castle, Medina County District Library, OH. Featuring vivid descriptions of Parisian culture and places, and a cast of diverse, multifaceted characters, including adults, this lively title incorporates plenty of issues that will resonate with teens, from mean girls to the quest for confidence and the complexities of relationships in all their forms. Despite its length and predictable crossed-signal plot twists, Perkins’ debut, narrated in Anna’s likable, introspective voice, is an absorbing and enjoyable read that highlights how home can refer to someone, not just somewhere.
Reviews
"I have never hidden my love of Stephanie Perkin’s books and when I was in the middle of a reading slump I knew exactly what would help me: Lola and the Boy Next Door. Since I just visited San Francisco there were so many parts of this story that stuck out for me this round of reading it: The Japanese Tea Garden, Mission Delores Park, the city itself. She lives with her dads, she’s enjoying her boyfriend, Max, her job and her coworker named Anna. One thing I constantly love about Perkin’s books is the sneaks of other characters, from Anna to St. Clair they all came back and helped to answer those unanswered questions. It’s also painful when the characters make poor life choices because I want to shake them, but that’s something powerful about YA books that I love."
"What can I say about Lola and the Boy Next Door? I mean how was Stephanie Perkins going to make me feel the same things about Lola and Cricket that I did about Anne and Etienne? Lola and the Boy Next Door is the story of Lola Nolan. Until one day, the day Lola dreaded most in the world, the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return net door and her life turns upside down. Lola and the Boy Next Door is the story about two people with a history. Lola may be out there with all of her costumes and her crazy style, but she really is a girl that you can relate to because we have all been Lola at some point in our lives and we have all had out Cricket in one way or another. Whether it is Lola and Cricket, Lola’s parents Andy and Nathan, her Lindsey, Calliope, whoever, you are in vested in their well being."
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Best Children's Latin America Fiction

Journey to the River Sea
It is 1910 and Maia, tragically orphaned at thirteen, has been sent from England to start a new life with distant relatives in Manaus, hundreds of miles up the Amazon. Maia, however, is resourceful enough to find herself smack in the middle of more excitement than she ever imagined, from a mysterious "Indian" with an inheritance, to an itinerant actor dreading his impending adolescence, to a remarkable journey down the Amazon in search of the legendary giant sloth. Ibbotson (Island of the Aunts) offers another larger-than-life adventure featuring lovable heroes and heroines, nasty villains, much hilarity and a deliciously gnarled plot. Her life would be dismal indeed, if she didn't sneak out every once in a while to meet up with two other orphans with whom she has crossed paths: Clovis, a traveling actor, who longs to return to England, and Finn, a rich heir, who would rather live with the "Indians" than be sent to the British estate where his grandfather eagerly awaits his arrival.
Reviews
"This is the best book I've read in a very long time."
"It's quite young and unrealistic, but it's the type of book I would like my hypothetical children to read one day."
"The story is a great adventure story for children & adults."
"We were searching for books about the Amazon when we came upon Journey to the River Sea."
"I've never wanted to spend any time in a jungle."
"This book is adventure it feels like you are right there with them it gives you the sight to what is beautiful I would recommend this book to anyone I gave it fives stars because of its story it had a meaning and you felt it ."
"This is a wonderful story which brought back many memories of wonderful times spent in the Amazon, walking trails, collecting bananas, floating down rivers, and traveling in wooden motor boats."
"A trip from an English boarding school to the middle of the Amazon River for a young orphan girl."
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Best Children's Australia & Oceania Fiction

Moana Little Golden Book (Disney Moana)
In the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island.
Reviews
"The story is easy to follow, and just long enough to keep them entertained but not too long to where they start to get distracted from other things."
"The book is kind of hard to open and feels kind of like it wasn't meant to be opened."
"3 year daughter lives Moana and loves this little book."
"Gave at Christmas and the little child likes Moana."
"My son loves Moana and this book is a great summary with beautiful illustrations."
"My baby granddaughter will love this book!"
"Typical children's book."
"Perfect for reading to small children."
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