Zahra’s Paradise Amir illustrated by Khalil YP FIC AMIR

After the fraudulent Iranian elections of 2009 many took to the streets in protest.  Many of those were taken and never seen again.  This is Medhi’s story; the  story of his mother and brother who fought corruption, tyranny, and intimidation to find the truth about his disappearance.  A fictional tale about all too realistic subject matter.

This is a truly poignant and moving story about loss, family, and tyranny.  It puts a human face on current events and gives us a look at a society all too often shrouded in secrecy.  One of the most powerful parts of the book is an end-note that lists all the people that have died while protesting the Iranian government.  This very long list of names speaks volumes about the magnitude and seriousness of this issue.  Iran is in the news quite a bit these days with fears of nuclear armament, so this book offers a way to better understand the nature of the Iranian regime.  But more than that, Zahra’s Paradise is a way to understand tyranny all over the globe and by comparison the importance of freedom.  This is a must read to fans of serious comics or anyone that would like to know more about Iran.  I would also heavily recommend it to fans of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (YP FIC SATRAPI or DVD PERSEPOL) a book and film about growing up around the Iranian revolution.  

Check our catalog for Zahra’s Paradise here.

Free? Stories About Human Rights by Amnesty International YP FIC FREE

Bringing together a truly impressive group of international authors, Free? asks the troubling question, “If some of us aren’t truly free, than are any of us?” Each one of the stories looks at young people struggling to assert their freedom and highlights one of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Stories come from all across the globe from all sorts of young people showing that the struggle for freedom is truly never over.

I was surprised how enjoyable this book is. Since the subject matter is so Important and Serious, I thought I might get bored or depressed, but the stories are really well written and positive. All of them look at the possibility of hope and change in even the worst situations. My absolute favorite is Rita Williams-Garcia’s verse story about Katrina After the Hurricane. It is very emotionally powerful and has stayed with me. This is a good read for fans of realistic fiction, especially if you’re interested in foreign countries.

Ten Things I Hate about Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Unwilling to identify with her Muslim culture, Jamilah dyes her hair blond and wears blue contact lenses when attending her Australian high school. She also goes by the name “Jamie” and sits by when her friends and fellow students make racist remarks about Muslims and other cultures. When at home, Jamilah observes the Muslim culture and attempts to obey her father’s strict rules. She’s living a double life and eventually her lies begin to catch up with her, especially when the cutest boy in school asks her out. Her father will not allow her to hang out with boys and her friends grow suspicious as to why they can never come over to her house after school. Jamilah/Jamie is torn between who her friends and family expect her to be and who she really is. Writer Randa Abdel-Fattah crafts a poignant tale that demonstrates the difficulties faced by teens when grappling with identity.

Teens who read Does My Head Look Big in This? should also enjoy Ten Things I Hate about Me. Both books are available at the library.

Derby Girl by Shauna Cross

Bliss Cavendar cannot wait to finish high school so she can get out of Bodeen, Texas as soon as possible. The small town only seems to offer her misery with its Miss Bluebonnet pageant, lack of hot, cool guys, and cowboy mentality. If it weren’t for her best friend, Pash, and a mutual love of all things indie rock there would be little happiness in the world that imprisons them. That is until Bliss discovers the extreme excitement of roller derby, which takes place an hour away in her cool, indie-dream capital, Austin.

According to Bliss roller derby is her ticket out of small town, narrow-minded living and an escape from her reality of having to soon compete in the Miss Bluebonnet pageant. She leads a double life, high school attending teenager by day/ 18-yr-old heartbreaker roller derby babe by night, which bring her both happiness and pain. She meets and dates the hottest band guy and becomes a roller queen. However, this new life comes with sacrifices, like best friendship, which Bliss discovers is more important that making out with a boy.

The author Shauna Cross is from Austin, which is apparent by her description of the city and hipster hot spots. For those high schoolers who feel stuck and out of place in the typical high school setting, Bliss’ story will make you wish you could transport yourself to Austin’s Lamar Street or South Congress to do some vintage clothes or record shopping. Bliss’ journey around the rink is full of hilarity and growing pains, but it is also dressed in fish nets and roller skates.

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

"If an entire nation can seek freedom, why not a girl?"

Chains tell the story of thirteen-year-old Isabel, who is a slave living when the Revolutionary war begins. Isabel and her sister, Ruth, were promised freedom upon the death of their owner, but somehow ended up the property of a pro-British couple living in New York City. Isabel meets Curzon, who is also a slave, but has ties to the Patriots. Curzon urges Isabel to spy on her owners, who are privy to the invasion plans of the British, but is conflicted because of the potential danger. However, certain unfortunate events force Isabel to place her loyalty with those who can offer her what she and the Patriots wants most: freedom.

Laurie Halse Anderson was recently won the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the Young Adult Library services Association for her works Catalyst, Fever 1793, and Speak. These books, among others, are available at your library.