Review by Catherine Bae The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf Without reading the blurb but seeing the cover, I automatically assumed this was a dystopian story set in Asia somewhere. But seeing Hanna Alkaf’s name on the cover, I knew it was going to be good. This was her debut novel back in … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf
#INTLYALITMONTH: Karmzah – the Unleashing by Farida Bedwei
Review by: Nadine Bailey Karmzah: The Unleashing by Farida Bedwei Karmzah is the super-herione whose powers are unleashed when archaeologist Morowa Adjei accidentally drops an ancient Malian artefact. Morowa has cerebral palsy and the medicine man freed from the jar gives her super-powers through her crutches, including the ability to speak and understand any language … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Karmzah – the Unleashing by Farida Bedwei
#INTLYALITMONTH: The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Review by: Wendy Guyer The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar As a sixteen-year-old, Nishat already has a lot going on in her life: balancing the demands of her Bangladeshi family, the demands of her Catholic high school, the demands of her social life in her town of Dublin, Ireland, and her own desire to come … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
#INTLYALITMONTH: Burmese Moons by Sophie Ansel & Sam Garcia
Review by Jonathan Hill Burmese Moons by Sophie Ansel and Sam Garcia America and the media we consume is incredibly sterilized, especially to the plight of the people who aren’t white. We’re led to believe that despite harrowing circumstances, through determination and strength of spirit, we’ll be delivered the happy ending. Everything will work out … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Burmese Moons by Sophie Ansel & Sam Garcia
#INTLYALITMONTH: Mirror, Mirror by Andaleeb Wajid
Review by Mathangi Subramaniam Mirror, Mirror by Andaleeb Wajid Ananya’s seventeenth birthday couldn’t have gone any worse. Not only do her two best friends start dating – rendering Ananya the “kabab ki haddi,” or third wheel, in their friendship – but also, Ananya’s mother announces that, at the age of 43, she is unexpectedly pregnant. … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Mirror, Mirror by Andaleeb Wajid
#INTLYALITMONTH: Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan
Review by: Erin Wilson Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan Zara Hossain is the friend you always wanted in high school: tough, caring, and loyal. Like any teenager, she is finishing her senior year alongside her best friends, with a promising romance, and hopes for a prosperous future; not to mention, she is true … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan
#INTLYALITMONTH: The Hour Past Midnight by Salma
Review by: Mridula Koshy The Hour Past Midnight by Salma The Hour Past Midnight defies classification in any category. I think it can be read by a very young reader - say 13 - but it is likely sold in bookstores in India as a work for adults. This could be because of its heft … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: The Hour Past Midnight by Salma
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Mister Fairy
Think every fairy looks like Tinkerbell, with a cute tutu, and a twinkle in her lovely eye as she daintily darts around waving her magic wand like a ray of magical sunshine? Think again. "Everyone knows the forest is full of all kinds of fairies… There are morning fairies, brave fairies, sleepy-time fairies, and even … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Mister Fairy
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: That’s Not Normal!
One of my repeated assertions is that picture books are much more than what they seem. They are more than just cute pictures and easy words to read to children before bedtime; they are in fact powerful works of art that can reveal deep truths to people of all ages. Picture books are for everyone. … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: That’s Not Normal!
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Colorful
As my dead soul leisurely drifted off to some dark place, this angel I’d never seen before suddenly appeared right in my way. "Congratulations! You’ve won the lottery!" The angel smiled. So begins Colorful, a surprisingly humorous YA novel about mental illness, bullying, and teen suicide. The protagonist—nameless throughout most of the book—isn’t thrilled to … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Colorful
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 