USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: The Bathing Costume, or The Worst Vacation of My Life by Charlotte Moundlic

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The book's protagonist is Michel, an eight-year-old Parisian boy. His brother Martin, who's twelve, detests him, and he detests Martin right back. This summer, Michel will go away alone, which really means without his mom, to stay with his grandparents while his parents move apartments. To add to the horror, Michel's older boy cousins will … Continue reading USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: The Bathing Costume, or The Worst Vacation of My Life by Charlotte Moundlic

International Banned Book Pick: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

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A New York Times Notable Book A Time Magazine “Best Comix of the Year” A San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times Best-seller Wise, funny, and heartbreaking, Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, Satrapi tells the story of her life … Continue reading International Banned Book Pick: Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Prévot

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Wangari Maathai said, “Trees are living symbols of peace and hope.” The trees that she and her Green Belt Movement planted are more than symbols, they are the result of the hard work of the women she enlisted to replant Kenya’s forests, replenish the wildlife, and instill democracy among the people. This simply told story … Continue reading USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees by Franck Prévot

USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: Who Built That? Bridges by Didier Cornille

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In this latest addition to his popular Who Built That? series, Didier Cornille presents ten of the most important bridges in the world, from the Brooklyn to the Golden Gate; from the first in cast iron to the longest in concrete; from small footbridges to the tallest in the world. Cornille introduces each engineer or … Continue reading USBBY Outstanding International Book Pick: Who Built That? Bridges by Didier Cornille

USBBY International Title Pick: A Well-Mannered Young Wolf by Jean Leroy

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A hilarious story about why manners matter One morning, a young wolf eagerly sets out on his first hunting trip. But before he can devour his prey, he must honor their final wishes, just as his parents taught him to do. But the wolf's would-be meals aren't quite as honorable as he is! Can common … Continue reading USBBY International Title Pick: A Well-Mannered Young Wolf by Jean Leroy

Book Excerpt: She Was Singing (story) by Danielle Picard

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The short ceremony was coming to an end.   The young woman felt she was beyond tears, a hard block of insensitivity.  A small crowd had accompanied her mother towards nothingness, close family, friends, strangers, some of whom came to introduce themselves:  colleagues of the dead woman, members of associations to which her mother belonged, an … Continue reading Book Excerpt: She Was Singing (story) by Danielle Picard

Publisher Spotlight: Le French Book

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Since it is French literature month on our blog, it only seems fitting to highlight one of the great presses out there working specifically in the French translation sphere. In this case, Le French Book. If you not only love noir and crime fiction, but also feel inspired to support female-founded and -run presses, please spend … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: Le French Book

The Batchelder Award and A Time of Miracles

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In keeping with this month’s France theme, I would like to spotlight A Time of Miracles, an upper middle-grade, younger-YA novel translated from French that captured my heart.  But first, here is where I found this book: the past winner list for the Mildred L. Batchelder Award, a prize given in the same series as … Continue reading The Batchelder Award and A Time of Miracles

Book Excerpt: Eyes Full of Empty

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If there are some people you don’t see anymore, it’s usually by choice.
 When he called, I didn’t recognize the voice and he refused to give his name. He said he had some work for me, paid well. I said meet me at the café across from the Rex, the movie theater. I got there … Continue reading Book Excerpt: Eyes Full of Empty

French Graphic Novels in Translation, Part II: Papercutz

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In today’s post, I’ll turn to another fabulous graphic novel (GN) publisher, Papercutz.  Founded in 2005, Papercutz proudly (with good reason) proclaims itself to be the only publisher that focuses solely on graphic novels for children—for “reluctant readers and gifted readers,” and “kids, tweens, and teens” in genres such as “humor, action, adventure, mystery, horror, … Continue reading French Graphic Novels in Translation, Part II: Papercutz