Review by Erin Wilson Set in modern day Dhaka, we are brought into the perfect married life of Rishal and Amola. Both Bangladeshis, they met in university, married, and moved back to Dhaka to run the family business. Thus, they must maintain the perfect life, a son in boarding school, wealth, and a vibrant social … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: Broken Voices by Srabonti Narmeen Ali
Articles
#BangladeshiLitMonth: Beloved Rongomala by Shaheen Akhtar
Review by Erin Wilson “Even before dawn broke, the news that Chanda Bir was approaching the palace with Rongomala’s severed head arrived like a storm.” Explosive and gripping, the very first sentence of this novel begins with the end of what is only the beginning of a calculated and complex story during the 18th century … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: Beloved Rongomala by Shaheen Akhtar
#BangladeshiLitMonth: Pass it to Rizwana by Crystal Pottebaum
Review by Erin Wilson This colorfully illustrated ten-chapter picture book begins with three young girls who stumble upon a peculiar object, which turns out to be a deflated basketball. Eager to learn more, they start researching the game by watching online videos and observing boys playing at the park. However, Rizwana's mother informs her that … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: Pass it to Rizwana by Crystal Pottebaum
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Smash the Patriarchy
"Up for smashing the patriarchy?" "Yes!""Yeah!""But... What is the patriarchy, exactly?" So goes the opening dialogue in Smash the Patriarchy, a fabulous graphic novel for upper YA readers. The much-deserving winner of this year’s GLLI Translated YA Book Prize, it describes and defines terms such as “the male gaze,” “slut-shaming,” and, yes, “the patriarchy” with … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Smash the Patriarchy
BangladeshiLitMonth: Nobo Opens a Door
Review by Erin Wilson Nobo is so excited to celebrate Nobo Borsho, Bengali New Year, in her class. She has picked a beautiful red and white shari for the occasion too. Her accessories include a velvet red blouse, glass bangles to match and a teep for her forehead. Her outfit is ready to go! Her … Continue reading BangladeshiLitMonth: Nobo Opens a Door
#BangladeshiLitMonth: Where are the Choncols?
While growing up, did you enjoy search-and-find books like “Where's Waldo?” (aka Where’s Wally?)? If yes, then you will love Where are the Chonchols?. The premise is the same as those classic children’s books: you’re presented with a complex scene, and the goal is to find specific people or objects within it. And like “Where’s … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: Where are the Choncols?
#BangladeshiLitMonth: Rustom Palowan by Tanmoy
Review by Muneeba Chowdhury and Taqbiir Al-Mu’izz Yousuf What would you do if you always felt out of place and your dreams and aspirations clashed with your family traditions? “Rustom Palowan The Origin Story” tackles that very question with a positive outcome! It is a comic book series that tells the story of a goofy, … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: Rustom Palowan by Tanmoy
#BangladeshiLitMonth: Sister Library and the Pink Shelf
In the Reading List numbers: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, and 13 are Bangladeshi authors. Review by Opshori Nondona Forget the hushed reverence of traditional libraries. Sister Library Bangladesh throbs with a different kind of energy – a vibrant, bookish buzz inspired by the groundbreaking mobile library and artwork dreamt up by artist Aqui … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: Sister Library and the Pink Shelf
#BangladeshiLitMonth: The White Elephant
Review by Erin Wilson Hope, harmony, and peace emanate from this beautiful picture book. A young Rohingya boy shares his memories of his grandfather's stories of a white elephant born in their land becoming mountains and symbolizing peace and harmony. Their lives were joyous until the elephant was hunted and killed for its ivory. Thus, … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: The White Elephant
#BangladeshiLitMonth: I am Bokul
Review by Erin Wilson Bokul, a young boy living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, dreamed of being a photographer like Shanto, a regular customer who visited the tea stall he worked at. Then, his dream came true, Shanto let Bokul borrow his camera. Bokul dreamed of the extra cash he might make by taking tourists' photos … Continue reading #BangladeshiLitMonth: I am Bokul
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 