The Surrender Tree

The Surrender Tree (2008) by Margarita Engle. 166 pages.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8050-8674-4
2009 Pura Belpre Award and Newbery Honor Book

This historical fiction is told in verse; the story takes place between 1850 and 1899, across three of Cuba's bloody wars for independence from Spain. The story setting is framed at the beginning: in 1869, Cuban plantation owners freed their slaves and declared independence from Spain; in 1896 Cuban peasants were ordered to reach "reconcentration camps" within eight days. Nurses hid in the jungle, healing people with medicinal plants.

Each lyrical entry is told in first person by Rosa, Jose, Lieutenant Death and Silvia. Rosa, the main character, is a healer, hiding and healing in caves while moving secretly through the jungle with her husband, Jose. Lieutenant Death constantly searches for runaways and seeks to kill the witch, Rosa. Eleven-year-old Silvia is a peasant who's father is died and mother is dying. She spends her days farming and caring for her brothers; they've been ordered to a "reconcentration camp". Rosa and Jose work to help her and other refugees.

Following the story are an author's note, an historical note and chronology. Rosa and Jose are historical figures among the fictional characters in the book; their story has been imagined from accounts of survivors of Weyler's concentration camps.

The book's very serious, and sometimes gruesome, themes of the realities of war, refugees and survival should be discussed with a young reader. Well written entries provide a glimpse of the characters' responses and feelings through these difficult events. Verse is an interesting and manageable approach to presenting this story.

Interview with Margarita Engle, the first Latina to win the Newbery.

Curriculum Connection: History-Social Science
10.4 Students analyze patterns of global change in the era of New Imperialism
3. Explain imperialism from the perspective of the colonizers and the colonized and the varied immediate and long-term responses by the people under colonial rule.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins (1960) by Scott O'Dell. 184 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-440-43988-2
1961 Newbery Honor

Narrated in the first person, young Karana describes living on one of the Channel Islands in the Pacific Ocean, possibly around the 1830s to the 1850s. The author's note book states that he was trying to re-create the story of this girl. Historical records indicate that the Indians of Ghalas-at were being carried from their Island on a schooner. A young girl jumped ship; eighteen years later she was discovered living on the island.

The story begins with a glimpse of the Ghalas-at Indians living on an island. Karana lives with her sister, brother and parents. Her father is the tribal leader. The Aleut Indians arrive a Russian leader and negotiate to hunt the otter for their skins. This deal does not bode well for the tribe in the end, culminating in a battle and lives lost. Over time, the remaining tribe members find life difficult. New visitors to the island give them an opportunity to leave and live in a more promising place. Realizing that her that her brother is still on the island, Karana jumps ship to get him. The ship leaves and they are left alone on the island. Shortly after, her brother Ramo is killed by wild dogs and Karana must survive on her own.

Living by her wits, Karana explains how she finds and stores food, makes tools and weapons, builds homes and canoes, and sews clothes. Her adventures show her superior skills with arrows and spears. Karana describes her relationships with the animals she befriends, becoming especially affectionate with one of the wild dogs. Cautious, Karana takes measures to stay hidden when the Aleuts return.

The reader will be captivated following Karana as she cleverly employs her intelligence and skills to stay alive and develop relationships with the animals. This is an appealing book for those interested in Native American histor and stories of survival. This classic book is a good read for 10 to 13 year olds.

About Scott O'Dell and more of his books.

Curriculum Connection: English-Language Arts Grades 6, 7, 8:
3.0 Literary Response and Analysis
Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science

Bhangra Babes

Bhangra Babes (2005) by Narinder Dhami. 185 pages.

ISBN: 0-385-90337-5

Ambajit (Amber) Dhillon, a young Indian-British girl, tells this story rich in dialogue. Amber and her sisters, Jazz and Geena, live with their father in England. Their aunt has moved in to take care of them since their mother died. The sisters are annoyed with their aunt's interference in their lives. Auntie has been dating one of their school teachers, Mr. Arora, and becomes engaged.

While leaving the house for the first day of school, a new newspaper carrier stuffs a newspaper down Amber's shirt and bad feelings ensue. At school, Amber and her sisters meet up with their good friend Kim. George, who has always had a torch for Amber, has improved looks and continues to get Amber's attention. While starting classes, Amber discovers that the newscarrier is a new student at the school and she's charged with assisting this brooding girl, Kirandeep (Kiran), in getting familiar with the school. Later they discover that Kiran has something in common with them. Already on unsteady ground, the relationship is tense. Another new student, Rocky, attracts Amber's attention. Her sisters also find him cute. Soon the three have a bet to see who Rocky likes best and viy for his attention. Amber with a penchant for "helping" people, which appears more like interfering.

As plans for Auntie's Indian wedding progress, Mr. Arora's Auntie-ji starts interfering and pushing her crazy wedding plans; causing much discontent for Auntie and the Dhillon sisters.

Contemporary tween and teen perspectives and activities take place in this fun, upbeat story with witty dialogue and banter. Readers will discover that people in another country also deal with similar teen issues. Enjoyable read for 10 to 12 year olds.

The author Narinder Dhami wrote the novelization of the movie Bend It Like Beckham .

The Mzungu Boy

The Mzungu Boy (2005) by Meja Mwangi. 150 pages.

ISBN: 0-88899-653-5

Kariuki lives the hard life of a village boy in Kenya. After attending school, where it's "one long battle" with a bullying headmaster. At home, his mom has a long list of chores for him. His father and older brother, Hari, hit him on the head when they were unhappy with him. The story takes place during the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950's, when European settlers owned the best farms and the native Kenyans worked the land.

Kariuki lives on a farm ran by Bwana Ruin, a white farmer; his father cooks for Ruin. Ruin treats his Kenyan servants with a brutal hand.

On one of his trips in the forest, Kariuki meets Nigel, the mzungu boy, little white master. Nigel, Ruin's grandson, has just come from England. Bored with his grandparents, Nigel sought Kariuki's companionship. This posed a problem for Kariuki and his family. Blacks and whites didn't mix; this could get Kariuki's father fired. Regardless, the boys explored the forest, hunted, swam, fished and became close friends. On one of their forest trips, Nigel is abducted by the Mau Mau. Kariuki later finds him and is captured as well. Hari, involved with the Mau Mau seeks to release the boys.

The novel moves quickly with elements of suspense, fear and danger. Told from Kariuki's twelve old point-of-view, the story focuses on the boy's friendship, feelings of freedom as they explore the forest, and dismay at the adults. Interesting read for 10 to 12 year olds.

Official website of Meja Mwangi.

More on the Mau mau Uprising

The Demon in the Teahouse

The Demon in the Teahoouse (2001) by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler. 181 pages
ISBN: 0-399-23499-3

Formerly a merchant's son, and now adopted by Judge Ooka, fourteen year old Seiki is learning archery and training to be a samurai.

Fires are burning in 18th century Edo and Judge Ooka, assigned to preventing fires in the city, must find out who's starting them. He calls on Seiki and Bunzo, Seiki's teacher to assist him in his search. Arriving at Edo, Bunzo and Seiki push their way through crowds of people fleeing the city, and join an army of people dousing flames. Among the crowd, Seiki glimpses a suspicious face, one with triumph.

After some investigation, Judge Ooka decides they need to go to Yoshiwara to find out more. People usually go to this "the floating world" for entertainment and find relief from their lives; here is where geisha's entertained in teahouses. Discovering that a death of a young teahouse girl may be linked to who's setting the fires, the Judge decides that Seiki should work as a teahouse boy to try and uncover more information. Danger and suspense builds through the book; Seiki is wrongly accused, clues are revealed and Seiki finds himself captive in a burning house. Seiki reflects on his samurai training to help him through difficult situations.

Captivatating, page-turning mystery. The reader will not want to put it down. This book is a sequel to The Ghost in the Tokaido Inn, but it stands on its own. Very good read for 10 to 12 year olds.
The Samurai Mysteries









Curriculum Connection: History-Social Science. Grade 7
7.5 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the civilizations of Medieval Japan.

Information on Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler and more of their books.

For another mystery novel taking place in contemporary Japan, read Hannah's Winter (2009)by Kierin Meehan.

More information about Japan: Kids Web Japan

There's a Chef in my World!

Emeril's There's A Chef In My World! Recipes that take you places (2006) by Emeril Lagasse.

ISBN-13: 978-0-06073926-3

Food is a way to learn about cultures. This cookbook contains recipes so the reader can taste the world, literally. 75 recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, sides, salads and breads, and sweets. Each recipe has a brief introduction about the related country and graphics are a combination of cartoon-like drawings and photos. Ingredients and tools are clearly listed and directions are presented in numbered, easy-to-follow steps. Little cooking tips are included in pop-up type boxes.

Although aimed at tweens, the cookbook can be used by anyone.

A Million Shades of Gray

A Million Shades of Gray (2010) by Cynthia Kadohata.

ISBN: 978-1-4169-1883-7

Y'Tin's passion is elephants, prefering to be with his elephant than attend school, much to his mother's dismay. Y'Tin lives with his extended family in Montagnard, Vietnam .

Y'Tin's father, an expert tracker aids the American Special Forces in the Vietnam War. Along on a tracking trip, Y'Tin witnesses the death of his father's friend at the hands of the Viet Cong. When the war ends, the Americans promise to return; Y'Tin holding a fondness for the Americans and their colloquialisms, believes this promise.

In 1975, the threat of attacks from the Viet Cong still concerns the Dega people. Their fear is realized and the village comes under siege, buildings are burned, people are held prisoner and executed. Y'Tin and his friends escape and make their way through the jungle with their elephants. Adding to the challenge of hiding, Y'Tin experiences disagreements with his fellow travellers and makes some heart-wrenching decisions about Lady.

Reflections of Vietnamese religious beliefs and traditions occur in the story, providing a perspective on how the people interact with the world through these powerful influences. Although the story takes place during a time of lots of militant activity, which should provoke suspense, the detail in the telling slows the story. Y'Tin is frank in his views and learns how war has changed his life. The story provides a look at life immediately following the Vietnam War. Informative read for 11 to 13 year olds.

Author's website: Cynthia Kadohata: Kira-Kira

Learn more about the Vietnam War

More books for tweens related to the Vietnamese experience:
All the Broken Pieces by Ann Burg
The Buddha's Diamonds by Carolyn Marsden and Thay Phap Niem