Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees

Book SynopsisThe arrival of HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks, Essex in 1948 was turned into a significant event by the British media but it is only one small part of a bigger story.Windrush looks at the movement of people after the Second World War in Britain. In an accessible and child-friendly way, the book explores the treatment of Black people, the struggles they faced and those they continue to face as well as celebrating the legacy of the Windrush generation in modern Britain.You can build your own encyclopedia with A Ladybird Book.Other titles available in this series:The Ancient EgyptiansAnimal HabitatsBaby AnimalsBritish Kings and QueensClimate ChangeElectricityThe Human BodyInsects and MinibeastsMountainsPlanet EarthRainforestsRiversThe RomansSea CreaturesThe Solar System<

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered how the movement of people has shaped the world around you? People have always moved around the world, whether to build a new home or flee from a natural disaster. Without the movement of people, the world would be a very different place. World War One and Two shaped the world in many different ways. Millions of people were affected and many people moved around the world, for good and for bad. This book explores the movement of people during war and conflicts from today and looks at how this has shaped the world.

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Book SynopsisAn black Iraq war veteran and an Iraqi-American Muslim teenager form an unlikely friendship through their shared love of John Coltrane. A supreme coming-of-age story of friendship, forgiveness — and jazz. Tariq is is a young Iraqi-American Muslim man, beset by danger on the streets and conflict at home. Music is his only consolation. When he forms a friendship with the volatile but intriguing record-store owner and Iraq war veteran, Jamal, Tariq discovers the world of jazz — and the man he could become. Jamal is exciting, eloquent, and troubled. He suffers from PTSD, is always on edge. Tariq wants to learn from Jamal's knowledge of music, but can he afford to get close to this volatile veteran? When violence that has long threatened finally erupts, things suddenly clarify for Tariq. He takes the ultimate risk — not on behalf of his friend but his enemy — and the disparate worlds of modern America and traditional Islam come together in an unexpected and gripping resolution.Trade ReviewI loved this book. Its tender, intelligent interrogation of male adolescent desperation is unflinching, as is its take on other big subjects: school bullying, what it’s like to be the only son of Iraqi Muslim migrants living and working in the US, religion, post-traumatic stress disorder, the contested limits of parental control (made all the more fractious by refugee fear – “what will the neighbours say?” amplified by a thousand), traditional Iraqi music, traditional Iraqi food (oh my, does it sound delicious), jazz and sex, with the sex – praise the Lord – so delicately portrayed that the young people retain their dignity. The story belts along with a smashing hostage-taking ending, with Tariq wondering why, like so many American scenes, it felt scripted. The author is an American who was educated here and now lives partly here and partly in Boston. This is his seventh novel. Hats off to the publisher, Little Island, for a handsomely produced tale about the difficulties and dangers of modern life. More, please. * The Irish Times *Whether the Muslim community can ever be fully accepted into American society is a question tacitly posed by Kevin Stevens in his engaging new novel A Lonely Note … With its focus on a young Muslim simultaneously alienated from and mesmerised by American life, Stevens’s novel has similarities with Terrorist, John Updike’s penultimate novel published in 2006. The comparison is facilitated by Stevens’s sharing with Updike a preoccupation with how the senses are continually quickened by the richness of the world: whether it’s the colour wheel of the seasons, the sound of jazz or a whip-poor-will, or even the guilty pleasure of a candy bar consumed during religious fasting. * Dublin Review of Books *The descriptions of teenage uncertainty, the violent swings between passion and indifference, really stand out because of how spot-on Stevens gets them … What Stevens excels in are the descriptions of Tariq’s adolescent disquietude. And how universal a feeling is that? Not only is this a teenage circumstance but one that anyone who has gone through a crisis in any stage of life is sure to recognise, relate to and appreciate reading about when it’s written this well. * Irish Independent *

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Book SynopsisA poignant story about how children’s play and creativity help children overcome the hardship of moving and changing country and heal one's soul.Danny, Molly and Marcus are three sparkling creative siblings, although each one expresses himself differently. Danny likes music and by singing and playing the guitar he can give voice to his feelings. Mercedes would always be found with a brush in hand, drawing out her emotions. What about Marcus? You see, Marcus is a great writer—he writes down all his thoughts and he can explore his deepest sorrows.One thing that the three very special siblings love is playing together and inventing a thousand different games, but there is something that worries them —soon they will move to a new, safer house in another country. Seeing their parents so sad and watching their house being reduced to boxes breaks their soul. However, they will discover that if they stick together, they will always have a loving home.Trade Review“A well-crafted, engaging book about resilient childhoods in the face of displacement and conflict.” —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisA BEAUTIFULLY EVOCATIVE STORY OF A CHILD'S JOURNEY TO ENGLAND ON BOARD EMPIRE WINDRUSH, FROM AN INTERNATIONALLY CELEBRATED, MULTI-AWARD-WINNING POET AND AN EXTRAORDINARY DEBUT ILLUSTRATOR."you're stepping into historybringing your Caribbean eyeto another horizon"With one last hug, Windrush chid waves goodbye to his Caribbean home and sets sail across the ocean to Britain. In this powerful picture book, full of hope and promise, celebrated poet John Agard and illustrator Sophie Bass movingly evoke the journey made by children and their families as part of the Windrush Generation.PRAISE FOR JOHN AGARD'S WINDRUSH CHILD:Shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2023Shortlisted for the Spark! School Book Award 2023Longlisted for the Jhalak Children's & YA Prize 2023Longlisted for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for IllustrationLonglisted for the Children’s Literature Festivals Book Awards 2023Longlisted for the 2023 Klaus Flugge Prize"A gorgeous bedtime read that will reward repeat readings, deceptively simple, emotionally deep." Joseph Coelho, Children's Laureate"A beautiful picture book with gorgeous illustrations ... I couldn't think of a better way for young children to learn about history and understand the world." David Walliams“John Agard’s hopeful poem commemorates a child’s Windrush journey from the Caribbean, and bold and vivid illustrations sing of palm trees and mangos left behind, and new experiences, including pigeons and terraced houses and snow.” ‘One to Watch’, Sunday Times (Culture)"Debut illustrator Bass’s intricate, colourful, arresting pictures bring out all the resonances of Agard’s spare text in this story of a child, a ship, a journey, and a new life enriched by the loves and memories of the old." Guardian"A poetic story brought to life by Sophie Bass’s colour-popping illustrations." Daily Mail"A stunning picture book ... with the distinctive, vibrant art of Sophie Bass.” The Bookseller“The illustrations by Sophie Bass powerfully convey his parents’ emotions at different stages of the journey: hope, excitement, anxiety and relief are etched on to their faces in subtle ways. The child’s perspective of his adventure is the true soul of the book though and will stay in the reader’s memory for a long time.” Just ImagineTrade Reviewa stunning picture book, paired with the distinctive, vibrant art of Sophie Bass * The Bookseller *A beautiful poetic and visual delight. John Agard's Windrush Child is both an important reflection on the Windrush Generation and a gorgeous bedtime read that will reward repeat readings, deceptively simple, emotionally deep. Sophie Bass’ illustrations are beyond lovely, bold and vibrant that have you lingering on their splendour just as much as Agard’s poetry has you contemplating the emotional landscape of finding a new home. * Joseph Coelho *John Agard’s hopeful poem commemorates a child’s Windrush journey from the Caribbean, and bold and vivid illustrations sing of palm trees and mangos left behind, and new experiences, including pigeons and terraced houses and snow. * The Sunday Times *Debut illustrator Bass’s intricate, colourful, arresting pictures bring out all the resonances of Agard’s spare text in this story of a child, a ship, a journey, and a new life enriched by the loves and memories of the old. * Guardian *Sophie Bass’ bold and vibrant illustrations – a vibrancy that reflects the culture and contribution made by the Windrush Generation – also help to tell the story. * BookTrust *

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Book SynopsisGives readers a close-up look at the history and importance of Ellis Island. With colorful spreads featuring fun facts, sidebars, a labeled map, and a “That’s Amazing!” special feature, this book provides an engaging overview of this amazing landmark.

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Book SynopsisHave you ever wondered how the movement of people has shaped the world around you? People have always moved around the world, whether to build a new home or flee from a natural disaster. This book covers asylum seekers and refugees, The Vietnam War, The Syrian Civil War, refugee camps, life as a refugee, displacement, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina. Includes discussion questions, glossary and index. 

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Book SynopsisA Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children''s Book of 2021 A heartfelt story that explores the aftermath of deportation, I Wish You Knew celebrates the power of connection and empathy among children.When Estrella's father has to leave becausehe wasn't born here, like her,She misses him.And she wishes people knew the way it affects her.At home. At school.Always.But a school wrapped around a hundred-year-old oak tree is the perfect place to share and listen.Some kids miss family,Some kids are hungry,Some kids live in shelters.But nobody is alone.A story about deportation, divided families, and the importance of community in the midst of uncertainty.

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Book SynopsisSomeone Like Me is the young readers edition of Julissa Arce''s adult memoir My (Underground) American Dream. Born in Taxco, Mexico, Julissa Arce had to share her parents with America from the age of three. Her parents made trips to different parts of the United States to sell silver, often spending weeks and even months away. That is until one day they decided to bring Julissa to Texas to live with them. From then on, Julissa would be spend every day gripped with fear as she secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant.This surprising, at times heart-wrenching, but always inspirational story takes readers deep into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today--children who live next door, sit in your classrooms, or may even be one of your best friends.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, this poetic story filled with expressive art empowers South Asian children living in the United States and celebrates being bicultural.Pavadais in bright gold colorsJersey shirts and faded jeansSwapping, changing, feeling seen...Which is the color of me?A young girl longs to know where she fits in: Is she American? Or is she Indian? Does she have to pick or can she be both? With bright, joyful rhyme, and paired with an immersive art style using American and Indian fabrics, American Desi celebrates the experiences of young children growing up first and second generation Indian American: straddling the two cultural worlds they belong to, embracing all they love of both worlds and refusing to be limited by either.This story is a powerful tribute to the joy of being South Asian and for every reader who aspires to bridge their worlds with grace, grit, and co

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Book SynopsisAn inspiring story about cultural identity, being true to oneself, and finding a new home as a refugee. Layla lives in a beautiful blue world. One day, her mother gives her a gift—a blue scarf that Layla lovingly wears around her neck. But when a gust of wind carries the scarf away, Layla sets out to find it, traveling by boat to various worlds of different colors. But her scarf is nowhere to be found. Eventually, Layla lands at the shores of a Rainbow world and discovers the secret of her lost scarf while also finding a welcoming new home. A beautiful and poignant refugee story about identity, emigration, and acceptance told by Mohamed Danawi and brought to life in gorgeous color by illustrator Ruaida Mannaa.

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Book SynopsisAn all-star collection of essays about activism and hope, edited by bestselling YA author Maureen Johnson.Trade Review"Candor and passion radiate from the 30 voices raised in this trenchant and timely compendium of interviews, essays, reflections, illustrations, and poems." -- Publisher's Weekly "[Maureen Johnson] has done an exceptional job calling on different voices to share their wisdom and thoughts on making a difference" -- School Library Journal "This offers plenty of access points for teens looking for advice, catharsis, and/or motivation." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Book SynopsisIn the new country, Shirley and her family all have big dreams. Take the family store: Shirley has great ideas about how to make it more modern! Prettier! More profitable! She even thinks she can sell the one specialty no one seems to want to try: Mama’s homemade gefilte fish. But her parents think she’s too young to help. And anyway they didn’t come to America for their little girl to work. “Go play with the cat!” they urge. This doesn’t stop Shirley’s ideas, of course. And one day, when the rest of the family has to rush out leaving her in the store with sleepy Mrs. Gottlieb…Shirley seizes her chance!

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Book SynopsisCharming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series. After a year, eleven months, and six days apart, Salma’s dad is finally joining her family in their new home. Salma is so happy to see her baba–but she’s also worried. What if he misses Syria so much that he leaves them again? She throws herself into showing him around the city and helping him learn English, but as Baba shares memories of Damascus Salma starts to realize how much she misses Syria, too. Can Salma make space in her heart for two homes? And can Baba?

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Book SynopsisA portrait of the Finnish immigrant experience in Minnesota during the early twentieth century—now in paperback After journeying across the Atlantic with his mother and two sisters, young Otto Peltonen joins his father in the iron ore mines of northern Minnesota, experiencing the harsh labor conditions that were common at the time, as mining companies cared more about making a profit than for their workers’ safety. Writing in his journal about his family’s struggles and the hard life Finnish immigrants endured in the early twentieth century, Otto ultimately strengthens his resolve to find the freedom his family had first sought in America.Trade Review"Historical notes and authentic photos round out this captivating, dramatic view of the past."—Booklist"Very moving and thought-provoking."—Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews"A vivid picture of what life was like in these early 20th century mining towns."—Kidsreads"A vivid picture of what life was like for a Finnish immigrant in Minnesota during the early twentieth century."—Northern Wilds

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“In 80-plus poems, Nye writes conversationally, injecting humor, outrage, and reminiscence. . . . Nye at her engaging, insightful best." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “[Nye] challenges readers to become activists and to gain deeper awareness of their surroundings. . . . Her poetic polemic on trash is truly a treasure for readers.” — Booklist (starred review) “Rich variety and impressive scope. . . . Nye’s beautiful and timely collection [is] filled with haunting, sensory images. A must-have for all poetry collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “A sharp look at what we choose to discard and at our blinkered belief in our right to do so. Yet it’s also gentle, affectionate, and at times subtly funny . . . Young readers looking for an alternative to cli-fi may embrace this thoughtful cli-po.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “Nye finds inspiration in those things we throw away—as well as in the act of throwing things away and that of picking them up again. . . . Pick up a poem, why don’t you?” — Horn Book Magazine "Naomi Shihab Nye documents and reflects on the leavings of our existence in keenly observant, probing, unabashed poems.” — Cooperative Children's Book Center “Trash is poetic treasure in this intriguing collection of verse by the current Young People’s Poet Laureate. Nye’s keen eye for the small, revealing detail — a comforting pine cone, a lost mitten — encourages us to notice and perhaps write about the odd, stray things that surround us.” — Washington Post

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Book SynopsisWhile he does miss his grandfather, his Sidi, Aref knows that his home in Oman will always be waiting for him.Award-winning author Naomi Shihab Nye’s highly anticipated sequel to The Turtle of Oman explores immigration, family, and what it means to feel at home.Trade Review“Transplanted from Oman to Michigan, an Arab boy adjusts to his new life while missing his beloved grandfather in this stand-alone companion to The Turtle of Oman. . . . Nye’s inimitable, poetic prose beautifully captures Aref’s emotions as he meets the challenges of international travel and adjusting to a new community and culture while worrying about Sidi. Seamlessly continuing Aref’s story but accessible to new readers, this novel deftly explores the meaning of home. . . . A humorous, sensitive, and poignant family-centered take on moving to a new country.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Aref Al-Amri has finally packed his suitcase and is journeying from Oman to Michigan in this charming follow-up to Nye’s The Turtle of Oman. . . . Aref is just as curious, insightful, and enthusiastic as he was in the previous book, and after a ­period of adjustment, he begins to feel quite at home. If only his beloved grandfather, Sidi, would come to visit, then everything would be perfect. Nye’s imagery brings the snows and forests of Michigan to vivid life, and her characters nearly leap off the page with authenticity.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “This long-awaited follow-up to The Turtle of Oman reunites readers with an eight-year-old boy named Aref from Oman. . . . This very gentle read captures Aref’s experiences in his new town of Ann Arbor, including as he attends his new, inclusive school. . . . Enjoyable as a standalone, this accessible read offers a comfortingly warm, joyful view of moving.” — Booklist “Eight-year-old Aref embarks on a trip with his mother to reunite with his father in Ann Arbor. Sad to leave Oman but now excited to go to Michigan, Aref leans into his surprising lack of nerves, adjusting to his new life with enthusiasm. . . . The book is a pleasingly gentle episodic series following Aref’s mostly problem-free entry into his new life, focusing on the joy and adventure of a relocation. . . . The tone is light and the narration sprightly, capturing Aref’s . . . curiosity about the world around him.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisIn her coming-of-age memoir, refugee advocate Luma Mufleh writes of her tumultuous journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim woman and a proud Arab-turned-American refugee.With no word for “gay” in Arabic, Luma may not have known what to call the feelings she had growing up in Jordan during the 1980s, but she knew well enough to keep them secret. It was clear that not only would her family have trouble accepting her, but trapped in a conservative religious society, she could’ve also been killed if anyone discovered her sexuality. Luma spent her teenage years increasingly desperate to find a way out, and finally found one when she was accepted into college in the United States. Once there, Luma begins the ago­nizing process of applying for political asylum, which ensures her safety—but causes her family to break ties with her.Becoming a refugee in America is a rude awakening, and Luma must rely on tTrade ReviewPraise for From Here:A 2024 Finalist for the YALSA Award for Excellence in NonfictionA 2024 Rise: Feminist Book Project Nonfiction Pick!A 2023 Kirkus Best BookA 2023 Publishers Weekly Best BookA 2023 School Library Journal Best BookA 2023 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens“Books All Young Geor­gians Should Read” 2024 Pick!A NCSS-CBC 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People! A Shondaland.com Best Book for May 2023★ "This is a must-add to any high school biography/memoir section. ­Mufleh’s story is one of strength and courage, and shines light on the injustices in our world…She adeptly balances the luxury of her experience in Jordan with the conflict she often felt as a gay Muslim woman. It weaves together experiences from Muslim faith, being gay and not accepted by family, immigration, and the Middle East. …You need to put this one on your high school shelf now, but it won’t stay there long.” —School Library Journal, starred review ★ “A powerful, honest account of an activist’s experiences of being gay in a culture she loves but in which it’s hard to see a place for herself. . . Mufleh’s raw descriptions of finding her place in the world are relatable: Questions of choosing between living your truth or your family’s will speak to readers of many backgrounds. . . Mufleh’s journey shows that acceptance and reconciliation are possible and that those we love can grow and learn. . . A poignant glimpse into human imperfections and the struggle to find one’s place in the world.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review★ “This affecting memoir by refugee advocate Mufleh (Learning America) chronicles her internal struggle to reconcile her identity as a gay Arab Muslim woman. Via clear-eyed prose…this poignant reflection on choice, family, and living one’s truth provides insight into Mufleh’s relationship with her heritage, and how these experiences helped shape her identity and advocacy work.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review“Activist and author Luma Mufleh masters the beauty of vulnerability in her latest memoir, From Here. Growing up in Jordan … Mufleh had to hide the person she was becoming, especially as she grappled with her attraction toward women. Mufleh understood that if anyone found out she was a lesbian, her life could be in danger. When she’s accepted into college in the United States, Mufleh leaves Jordan and has to carve out a difficult new path as a refugee, finding support through friends who eventually became like family.” —Shondaland.com “Mufleh details fears Arab women constantly encounter…[s]he methodically shares her struggles with coming out to her family and coming to terms with sexual abuse. Readers will admire Mufleh’s courage to fight for her own rights and her dedication to helping others…This story is a reminder that we have the right to live how we want and love who we want.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisThis alphabet picture book companion to the popular B Is for Brooklyn weaves together a multitude of immigrant experiences in a concise, joyful package. For readers of Dreamers by Yuyi Morales.What do African dance, samosas, and Japanese gardens have in common? They are all gifts the United States received from immigrants: the vibrant, multifaceted people who share their heritage and traditions to enrich the fabric of our daily lives. From Jewish delis to bagpipes, bodegas and Zen Buddhism, this joyful ABC journey is a celebration of immigrants: our neighbors, our friends.

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Book SynopsisBaba enchants his six daughters with his stories, transporting them to his childhood in Iran as they play on the flowering vines of the Persian carpet in California. He tells the story of a determined young man who comes to the United States, the challenges of leaving his Persian family, and the unfolding of his new American life. This glorious debut authentic voices picture book is written by two sisters about their Baba ('father' in Farsi), who weaves together the love of two countries with the love of family.Trade Review"A poignant story woven with a reminder that no matter how far we journey, family is always with us."--Kirkus Reviews"Baba’s Gift is a loving tribute by the authors to their father, Baba, that adds a welcome voice to picture books about immigrant experiences."--Booklist"It’s a love letter for fathers' everywhere."--MotherlyLove permeates every page of this soulful, tender book." –Alison McGhee, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Someday “The first words that Iranian children learn to write in school are بابا آب داد which sound like "Baba aab daad," and which mean "Baba gave me water." Built into this very first sentence is the role of a father as a giver, of water, certainly, but also the stories that will define and develop the imagination and courage of his family. In this gently-woven story of an immigrant father's generous act of offering the best of both the worlds he inhabits to his beloved daughters, Baba gives the gift of himself. There's no better gift than that.”–Daniel Nayeri, author of Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story), winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, NPR Best Book of the Year, and New York Times Best of the Year"A story, both familiar and unique, it should be celebrated by families, libraries and classrooms.” –Cindy Harrison, Former Director of Bainbridge Island Public Library"A tender and enchanting tale about culture, family history, and the ties that bind us to one another across distances."–Jasmin Darznik, New York Times bestselling author of The Bohemians“What a touching tale! Baba’s Gift is a lovely and loving tribute to a father’s journey and his legacy.” –Annie Barrows, New York Times bestselling author of the Ivy & Bean series"Baba's Gift beautifully captures the magic and love of family. Universal in its appeal and vibrantly illustrated, this children's book transports young readers and their parents to the fragrant garden of Baba's childhood."–Gail Siegel, Educator and ForWords Literacy Lab FounderElaheh Taherian’s intricate collage illustrations blossom and evoke a father’s love for his daughters—and theirs for him. This book is a gift.”–Amy Novesky, award-winning author of Girl on a Motorcycle, Cloth Lullaby: The Woven Life of Louise Bourgeois; Me, Frida; Georgia in Hawaii; Imogen: The Mother of Modernism and Three Boys

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Book SynopsisEmma lives on the grey, cold side of the wall, where people speak in whispers and no flowers grow. On the other side there is happiness and colour, but she can never go there. One day, Emma''s parents disappear and she is sent to live with her miserable Aunt Lily. She disapproves of Emma''s drawing and dashes her niece''s dream of becoming an artist. That is, until a strange boat arrives and Emma leaves her world behind forever. Following Emma''s arrival in a strange land where she cannot speak (Halifax''s Pier 21), she discovers her voice through art. The Land Beyond the Wall is a beautifully rendered allegory that uses magic realism to confront the harsh realities of immigration and the universal struggle of finding one''s place in the world.

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