January 2007
This is a selection of books, both fiction and nonfiction, which are either
about various countries in the Middle East and North Africa or have characters
who come from those countries. I shall keep adding to the list and extending
it.
The books listed are for both Elementary and Secondary levels. Please
take the recommended age levels as a rough guide.
If you would like to order any of the books on the list, send the orders
to Austral Ed by post, fax or by email. Payment can be made with bank
cheques in Australian dollars or by Credit card for private purchases. Freight
is sent by the most economical method within Australia or overseas, depending
on urgency.
Recommended by Kate Shepherd
Picture Books
Shirley Climo
The Egyptian Cinderella illustrated
by Ruth Heller pb $16.95
The story of Rhodopis and the
rose-red slippers is perhaps one of the oldest of the Cinderella stories. A
story from Ancient Egypt.
Also Persian Cinderella pb
$16.95
Florence Parry Heide
The Day of Ahmed's Secret illustrated
by Ted Lewin pb $16.95
Set in bustling Cairo,
this is a story about Ahmed who works during the day but is immensely proud
that he has
learnt to read.
Florence Parry Heide and Judith Heide
Gilliland
Sami and the Time of the Troubles illustrated
by Ted Lewin pb $16.95
The very moving story of ten year Sami
and his family as they try to cling to hope and the strength of family
while they live in the basement beneath what is left of their home during
the many years of terrible fighting in Lebanon.
Collections
Tales Told in Tents Stories
from Central Asia by
Sally Pomme Clayton and illustrated by Sophie Herxheimer hardback
$27.95 pb $14.95
Sally Pomme Clayton describes how she loves this region
and how on her visits there she has always been warmly welcomed with food,
hospitality and stories. She retold these stories in a lively engaging
style. The stories are from the steppes, mountains, deserts and cities
of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They
give us a glimpse of the countryside and the history as well as the resilience
of the people and also their sense of humour. Notes at the end of the
book describe the origin of each story and some of its background. (8
- 14 years)
Stories from the Silk
Road retold by Cherry Gilchrist, illustrated
by Nilesh Mistry pb $24.95
This is a collection of stories
from the various regions along the famed Silk Road, the vital trade route
which went from eastern
China, through deserts and high mountains to the fabled city of Samarkand,
on through Iran and then on via various routes to Europe. The caravans
and travellers along this route for centuries must have exchanged stories
reflecting many periods and many cultures. In her retelling of these
stories Cherry Gilchrist uses a narrator called the Spirit of the Silk Road
to give some background information about the Silk Road and to introduce
each story. (8 - 13 years)
Fiction
Cathryn Clinton
A Stone
in My Hand pb $14.95
Set in Gaza
during the Israeli occupation of 1988 & 89, this story is told through
the eyes of eleven year old Malaak the despair that follows her father's
disappearance and his feared death and how it affects the family. (11
years up)
Benny and Omar by Eoin Colfer pb $14.95
Benny
is devastated when he has to leave Ireland and his hurling friends and
go and live in Tunisia. He is a rebel and finds the unthreatening
friendly atmosphere of the international school very strange and feels
more at ease with a young homeless Tunisian boy who is forced to live life
on the edge. Colfer succeeds in giving a believable,
unsentimental portrayal of poverty and homelessness. (10
- 15 years)
Parvana by
Deborah Ellis pb $14.95
Set in Afghanistan
in the time of the Taliban, Parvana is an eleven year old girl who used
to love going to school but under the Taliban ruling was forced to stay
at home. When both her parents lose their jobs and then her father
is arrested, their plight becomes desperate since girls and women were
not allowed to leave the house unless accompanied by a man. In order
for the family to survive, Parvana disguises herself as a boy. The
story gives us an insight into some of the recent traumatic events in Afghanistan. The
emphasis is on a young girl's courage and determination. (This book is called The Breadwinner in the US edition) (10
- 14 years)
Gaye Hicyilmaz
Against
the Storm pb $15.95
Mehmet's
family leave their beautiful village to go and live in the city of Ankara
where they become trapped in poverty. (12
years up)
The Frozen
Waterfall pb $14.95
Selda is
12 years old when she leaves Turkey with her mother and sisters to join
her (dominating) father in Switzerland. Life is not easy for
Selda but she is independent and determined. (11 - 14
years)
Elizabeth
Laird
Kiss the
Dust pb $11.95
Tara and
her family are forced to flee Iraq because of her father's involvement
in the Kurdish resistance movement. A very moving story of the plight
of a family who become refugees. (12
- 17 years)
A Little
Piece of Ground pb
$14.95 is set in the West bank town of Ramallah during the Israeli
occpation. A group of Palestinian boys try against the odds
to maintain a small piece of ground where they can play soccer in a period
of great suffering. (11 years up)
The Garbage King pb
$14.95
This is a sensitive portrayal of life as a street kid
in Ethiopia. Mamo is kidnapped as a boy and taken to the country but
he escapes and makes his way back to the city where he meets up with other
street kids. (11 - 15 years)
Carole
Wilkinson
Ramose Prince in Exile pb $16.95
This is the first book in a series
set in Ancient Egypt about Ramose who was the pharaoh's rightful heir but
who has had to escape and live
in disguise since a plot against his life. These are exciting adventure
stories which give many details of courtly and everyday life at the time
of Ancient Egypt. Other in the series are Ramose and the Tomb
Robbers, Ramose:
Sting of the Scorpion and Ramose: the Wrath of Ra pb $16.95 each (9 - 12
years)
My Forbidden Face Growing Up Under the Taliban: A Young Woman's Story by Latifa pb $22.95. This is the true story of Latifa who was born in 1980 into an educated middle class family in Kabul. She was sixteen years old when the Taliban seized power. She was studying to be a journalist when she suddenly became a prisoner in her own home. This is a vivid and detailed portrait of the days that followed the Taliban's seizure of power and the desperate circumstances for many Afghanis, especially the women. Although written from a personal point of view, the books is also very helpful in giving some understanding of the complex situation in Afghanistan as it does describe some of the political background, but always within a personal context. Latifa becomes ill because of her enforced confinement, but when she, her sister and a friend set up a clandestine school for children they shake off their feeling of utter uselessness. Excellent. (12 years up)
Non-fiction
Our Culture series pb $19.95
Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish
A very simple introduction to the customs of
these religions as they are practiced in various countries round the world. Large
colour photographs, simple text and glossary and index. (6
- 8 years)
Sacred Texts Series hardback $33.95 each
The Christian Bible and Christianity, The Qur'an and Islam and The
Torah and Judaism
An exploration of these religions through their
sacred books. Shows the historical background of the texts, their
use today and contains numerous extracts. (9 - 14 years)
World Religions series pb $22.95
Christianity, Islam and Hinduism
An
introduction to the main beliefs of different religions and shows how these
beliefs affect the lives of the people who
follow them. (9 - 14 years)
Beliefs and Cultures series pb $19.95
Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Muslim
An introduction for young children to
the culture, history and beliefs of each religion. A story and activities
are included. (7 - 10 years)
A Year of Festivals series hardback $35.95
each
Buddhist Festivals through the Year
Christian Festivals through the Year
Hindu Festivals through the Year
Jewish Festivals through the Year
Muslim Festivals through the Year
Sikh Festivals through the Year
An introduction to
these religious festival and the stories behind them. Each book includes
prayers, songs, quotations from religions writings and activities as well
as a festival calendar. (9 -
11 years)
Countries of the World series hardback
$33.00
Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria
These title are
fairly up to date and cover a wide range of information about each country,
including geography, history, government with an emphasis on arts and culture. Index,
map, glossary (including pronunciation guide). (10 - 14 years)
Welcome to my Country series hardback $29.95
Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia
A simplified version of the Countries of the World series for younger readers. (8 - 10 years)
Count your way through the Arab World by Jim Haskins illustrated by Dana Gustafson pb $15.95 A simple introduction to Arab culture through numbers in Arabic from 1 - 10. (6 - 9 years)
Changing Face of Egypt hardback $36.95
This title
focuses on the changes in Egypt over the recent years. Interviews with local people help give an insight
in to the country. There are maps and fact boxes. (9
- 14 years)
All prices are in Australian dollars.
If you would like to order any
of the above books, send orders to Austral Ed by fax, post or email.
For additional
lists of recommended books and newsletters from Austral Ed, visit our
website www.australed.iinet.net
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