A Long Way Gone

Ishmael Beah, Sierra Leone

Students in your classes will be stunned by the speed at which war turns a joyful young boy into a soldier addicted to both gruesome violence and the drugs his army freely distributes. This chilling nonfiction memoir—told in Ishmael Beah’s own words when he came to America after fighting in Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war—will give your students insight into one of the most important human rights issues still affecting our world today: the plight of child soldiers.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

William Kamkwamba, Malawi

Growing up in Malawi, one of Africa’s most underdeveloped nations, the ever-curious William Kamkwamba dreamed of studying science in a prestigious boarding school. But the 2002 Malawian famine forced William to drop out and help his family survive. Undeterred by the challenges set before him, William used his knowledge of physics to build a functioning wind turbine to generate electricity for his family’s farm. This moving true story will inspire your students to use the power of curiosity and creativity for social betterment.

The Last Nomad

Shugri Said Salh, Somalia

When she was six years old, Shugri Said Salh left the capital of Somalia to live with her nomadic grandmother, becoming the last in her family to follow this tradition. This memoir explores her childhood spent roaming the Somali desert, her return to the city, and her eventual arrival to the United States by way of Kenya and Canada as a civil war refugee. At each step of her amazing journey, Shugri faces her situations with resilience and hope.

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano

Sonia Manzano, United States of America

It’s 1969, and fourteen-year-old Evelyn Serrano finds her boring life turned upside down after her fiery grandmother, Abuela, arrives from Puerto Rico. Unsure at first, Evelyn warms up to Abuela as the older woman shares stories of the family’s involvement in Puerto Rico’s revolutionary history. And when Abuela shows support for the Young Lords, a Puerto Rican activist group, in their fight against inequality in their Spanish Harlem neighborhood, Evelyn grows interested in the movement and, in turn, her Latino heritage. Based on true events, this work of historical fiction provides powerful lessons on culture, family, and forgiveness for middle-grade readers.

The House of the Spirits

Isabel Allende, Chile

Magical realism and familial drama abound in Chilean-American writer Isabel Allende’s debut novel, which is becoming more popular every year since being published in 1982. Spanning three generations, this novel tells the story of the Trueba family from the perspectives of two of its members. Your students will be swept away by Allende’s magical world of love and fate, although we recommend this book for older readers due to sexual content.

The Field Guide to the North American Teenager

Ben Philippe, Canada

When Norris, a Black French Canadian, moves to Texas, he finds his world turned upside down. At his American high school, the cynical teenager keeps to himself, passing the time by journaling about the students he meets: the Cheerleaders, the Jocks, the Loners, and so on. But against all odds, those labels soon become actual people to Norris. As he learns the harm of making snap judgments of others, Norris realizes it might be time to stop hiding behind his snarky opinions and welcome others into his life.

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga, India

With a darkly funny commentary and unique perspective on Indian culture and society, The White Tiger follows the fictional story of Balram Halwai, a chauffeur in Bangalore, India. Written in a series of letters to the Premier of China, Aravind Adiga’s stellar debut is a fantastic contemporary choice for your world literature class.

Every Falling Star

Sungju Lee, North Korea

Based on a true story, Every Falling Star offers a firsthand account of life under the brutal regime of the North Korean government. As the son of a North Korean military officer, Sungju Lee lives a comfortable life in comparison to the average citizen. But after his father commits an unforgivable indiscretion, Sungju finds his world turned upside down. Forced to live in the streets at the age of twelve, Sungju quickly learns he must do anything he can, no matter the consequences, to survive in this oppressive society.

The Mountains Sing

Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, Vietnam

In her first novel in English, Vietnamese poet Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai weaves a multigenerational story about the Việt Nam War. In the 1950s, Trần Diệu Lan fled from her family farm during the infamous Land Reform program led by the Communist government. Decades later, her granddaughter Hương watches as her country and family are torn apart by the continued conflict. Despite its grim subject matter, The Mountains Sing offers readers an inspiring story about the power of hope and the human spirit.

Little Bee

Chris Cleave, United Kingdom

A topical novel about a young refugee from Nigeria and the British family with whom she seeks asylum, Little Bee will build your students’ empathy for people across the globe living under the constant threat of violence and strife. This book is great for starting discussions about globalization and ways we can better protect the innocent—no matter where they’re from.

The Librarian of Auschwitz

Antonio Iturbe, Spain

Based on the true account of Holocaust survivor Dita Kraus, this novel tells a story of bravery and perseverance in the face of unspeakable terror. In December 1943, fourteen-year-old Dita and her family are taken from the Terezín ghetto in Prague and imprisoned at Auschwitz. There, Jewish leader Fredy Hirsch entrusts Dita to protect the prisoners' secret library of smuggled books, a task that could mean death if she were caught. As the librarian of Auschwitz, Dita risks her life to preserve the magic of books.

Brooklyn

Colm Tóibín, Ireland

The book that inspired the award-winning movie, Brooklyn is a charming historical novel featuring a brave woman who must choose between the two men she loves, as well as between two vastly different coun­tries. Colm Tóibín paints an authentic portrait of the immigrant experience, as the main character Eilis Lacey travels between Ireland and New York City during the 1950s. Students will stay invested in Eilis’s story long after the novel ends.

Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence

Doris Pilkington Garimara, Australia

Based on the true experiences of three Aboriginal girls in the early 1930s, this nonfiction book explores a dark moment in Australian history. Under assimilationist policy, mixed-race Aboriginal children were sent to the Moore River Native Settlement, a reform camp. Determined to escape from the deplorable conditions of the settlement, girls Molly, Daisy, and Gracie embark on the long journey home to Jigalong, using the pest-exclusion fence built across the country as a guide.

Bridge of Clay

Markus Zusak, Australia

Alternating between the past and present, Bridge of Clay is a story of family, heartbreak, and forgiveness. After their mother’s death and their father’s disappearance, the five Dunbar brothers are left to raise themselves in the suburbs of Sydney. Told from the perspective of Matthew, the eldest son, the story follows the brothers as they try to navigate the world on their own. And when their father suddenly returns to make amends, only Clay, the most sensitive of the siblings, decides to try to patch their family back together.

How It Feels to Float

Helena Fox, Australia

This poignant young adult novel explores the impacts of mental illness and grief through the eyes of teenager Biz. Although she has friends and family by her side, Biz feels as if she is floating through life. She finds comfort in speaking with a vision of her father, who died when she was six. But after an incident at a beach party, Biz’s world begins to unravel, sending her into a dark spiral of depression. With themes of suicide, trauma, and sexuality, this book is better suited for older readers.