Every Falling Star, the first book to portray contemporary North Korea to a young audience, is Sungju Lee’s intense memoir about being forced at age 12 to live on the streets and fend for himself.“Presents North Korea as a horrifying real-life dystopia. The book, the first of its kind aimed at young adults, is a first-person account of what it is like to be born and raised in a terrifying environment.” —The Guardian Dedicating his book to those he left behind in North Korea, Sungju Lee writes, “North Korea is indeed a Hermit Kingdom; a true-to-life dystopian nation. It’s against this backdrop that my story takes place.” To survive, Sungju creates a gang and lives by thieving, fighting, begging, and stealing rides on cargo trains. Sungju richly recreates his scabrous story, depicting what it was like for a boy alone to create a new family with his gang, “his brothers,” to daily be hungry and to fear arrest, imprisonment, and even execution. The book starts with a brief, never-before-told history of modern North Korea that puts Sungju’s personal story into context. Then he and coauthor Susan Elizabeth McClelland describe the four years of danger and desperation he endured after being abandoned by his parents. You may not believe the things that he was forced to endure at such a young age. You may not want to believe the horrors of the modern state of North Korea. But this true story of survival and determination allows young readers to learn about another culture where the freedoms they take for granted do not exist. Read more

Publishers Weekly Best Book * ALA Best Book for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children's Book * ALA Booklist Editors' ChoiceIn the tradition of The Diary of Anne Frank and I Am Malala, this is the incredible true story of one girl’s courage and determination during one of the most terrifying eras of the twentieth century. This edition includes a detailed glossary, pronunciation guide, discussion questions, and a Q&A with the author. It's 1966, and twelve-year-old Ji-li Jiang has everything a girl could want: brains, popularity, and a bright future in Communist China. But it's also the year that China's leader, Mao Ze-dong, launches the Cultural Revolution—and Ji-li's world begins to fall apart.Over the next few years, people who were once her friends and neighbors turn on her and her family, forcing them to live in constant terror of arrest. And when Ji-li's father is finally imprisoned, she faces the most difficult dilemma of her life.Written in an accessible and engaging style, this page-turning, honest, and deeply personal autobiography will appeal to readers of all ages. Read more

A samurai fights for honor and survival in a real-life Game of Thrones.Stirring narrative nonfiction recounts the rise of Minamoto Yoshitsune from seemingly doomed infant to immortal warrior-hero (and one of the most famous samurai in Japanese history). Acclaimed author Pamela S. Turner delivers all the drama, romance, and tragedy of the original story--with delightfully dry wit and a healthy dose of modern perspective. Gorgeous ink paintings by celebrated graphic-novelist Gareth Hinds complete this irresistible package. Read more

Freeman Book Award Winner GLLI Translated YA Book Prize Honoree An incredible true story in graphic novel form that lays bare the tortured and triumphant history of Taiwan, an island claimed and fought over by many countries, through the life story of a man who lived through its most turbulent times. Part One: Taiwan, 1930s. Tsai Kun-lin, an ordinary boy born in Chingshui, recounts a carefree childhood despite the Japanese occupation: growing up happily with the company of nursery rhymes and picture books on Chingshui Street. As war emerges Tsai's memories shift to military parades, air raids, and watching others face conscription into the army. It seems no one can escape. After the war, the book-loving teenager tries hard to learn Mandarin and believes he is finally stepping towards a comfortable future; but little does he know, a dark cloud awaits him ahead. Part Two: Taiwan, 1950s. In his second year at Taichung First Senior High School, Tsai is arrested simply for joining a book club and subsequently tortured, deprived of civil rights, and sent to Green Island for "reformation." Lasting until his release in September 1960, Tsai, a victim of the White Terror era, spends ten years of his youth in prison on an unjust charge. But he is ready to embrace freedom. Experience parts one and two of the tour-de-force graphic novel series that took Taiwan by storm – parts three and four coming May 2024. P R A I S E ★ “The stupendous achievements here are many: a synergistic literary success; a historic record of twentieth-century Taiwan; the remarkable account of a boy’s life; and a triumph of translation.” —Booklist (starred) “A story of persistence, both hopeful and chilling, and a powerful vision of the personal implications of Taiwan’s mid-century history.” —School Library Journal “Stunning.” —Kirkus Read more

Campfire's World War II: Against The Rising Sun focuses on the war in the East, through the eyes of the servicemen and civilians on both sides of the conflict. From the invasion of Manchuria by Japan in 1937, right through to the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we witness the end of the British Empire, the rise and fall of Japan and destruction the likes of which the world must never know again.While authoritative texts on World War Two often tend to focus disproportionately on the European theater of war, the Pacific theater was no less dramatic, with its roots stretching back to the early 1930s. This book tells the history of World War Two in the Pacific theater, told from many perspectives. Read more

The amazing story of a Venetian trader who becomes an aide to the great Kublai Khan comes to life in this retelling for students by Manuel Komroff. Follow along as Marco Polo travels through deserts littered with bones, encounters animals previously unknown to Europeans, and comes to serve in the court of one of the greatest kingdoms ever known.Included is a gorgeous new map tracing his journey, and 29 full page illustrations from an early edition written for adults.The text in this edition is a reprint of the original Messner Biography, a series that was created for students. "Well told and with engaging narratives, they unknowingly flow nicely from story to fact. You will find a plethora of information packed between these pages, not only about the title’s subject, but the subject's time and the world they lived in." Read more

Publishers Weekly Best Book * ALA Best Book for Young Adults * ALA Notable Children's Book * ALA Booklist Editors' ChoiceMoving, honest, and deeply personal, Red Scarf Girl is the incredible true story of one girl’s courage and determination during one of the most terrifying eras of the twentieth century. It's 1966, and twelve-year-old Ji-li Jiang has everything a girl could want: brains, popularity, and a bright future in Communist China. But it's also the year that China's leader, Mao Ze-dong, launches the Cultural Revolution—and Ji-li's world begins to fall apart. Over the next few years, people who were once her friends and neighbors turn on her and her family, forcing them to live in constant terror of arrest. And when Ji-li's father is finally imprisoned, she faces the most difficult dilemma of her life.Written in an accessible and engaging style, this page-turning autobiography will appeal to readers of all ages, and it includes a detailed glossary and a pronunciation guide. Read more

Embark on a 🌟 dazzling journey through the heart of Pakistan with our book "Pakistan's Heritage A-Z." 📚 Each page is a vibrant celebration of the country's rich traditions, from the architectural marvels 🕌 and majestic Himalayas 🏔️ to the colorful threads of Zardozi embroidery. 🧵 Savor the flavors of Pakistani cuisine with a cup of steaming chai ☕ and sweet, juicy mangoes 🥭, and feel the rhythm of the Dhol 🥁 in your heart.This book is not just a reading experience; it's a cultural odyssey that offers a window into the soul of Pakistan. 🇵🇰 From the whispers of history flowing like a river from an open book 📖 to the sky-high aspirations symbolized by soaring jets ✈️, every element is depicted with depth and meticulous detail. Adorn your collection with the beauty of Pakistan and share the gift of knowledge and understanding. 🎁 Perfect for curious minds, culture enthusiasts, and anyone who treasures the richness of our world. 🌍 Don't miss out on this tapestry of tradition and modernity. Get your copy of "Pakistan's Heritage A-Z" today! 🛒 Read more

The inspirational story of the Japanese national campaign to build the Children's Peace Statue honoring Sadako and hundreds of other children who died as a result of the bombing of Hiroshima.Ten years after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Sadako Sasaki died as a result of atomic bomb disease. Sadako's determination to fold one thousand paper cranes and her courageous struggle with her illness inspired her classmates. After her death, they started a national campaign to build the Children's Peace Statue to remember Sadako and the many other children who were victims of the Hiroshima bombing. On top of the statue is a girl holding a large crane in her outstretched arms. Today in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, this statue of Sadako is beautifully decorated with thousands of paper cranes given by people throughout the world. Read more

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A young archaeologist finds a primitive hand axe that is thought to be more than 400,000 years old. Engineers building a railroad discover that the gravel they're using is actually 5,000-year-old crumbling brick from the ancient Indus Valley civilization. An Englishman living in India is fascinated by the mysterious script on the ancient coins he collects and works feverishly to decode the long-lost language. These are a few of the clues to a fascinating history that you'll read about in The Ancient South Asian World. Jonathan Mark Kenoyer and Kimberley Heuston use ancient beads, terracotta pots, trash found in a sewer, and many other primary sources to trace the history of this diverse region. In these pages is the story of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, who used the power of knowledge rather than physical force to rule his people-an unusual idea at the time. Ancient texts and an epic poem called the Ramayana explain the practices and beliefs of Brahmanism and how they evolved into Hinduism. Columns inscribed by Emperor Ashoka illustrate the spread of Buddhism throughout the South Asian world. The sacred epic called the Mahabharata helps explain the development of the caste system. From geography and weather to Hindu gods and intellectual traditions, the characters and stories in The Ancient South Asian World weave the history of this vibrant region. Read more

Children will find a book about China very interesting. This will introduce children to a new way of life. This will also introduce children how children in China live on a daily basis. This will make children use their imagination to the fullest extent. Children will also be able to find out about different types of food that were never introduced to them. Children can also see how technology effects China on a daily basis. This will be a book they read again and again. Read more

Most people cannot remember when their childhood ended. I, on the other hand, have a crystal-clear memory of that moment. It happened at night in the summer of 1966, when my elementary school headmaster hanged himself.In 1966 Moying, a student at a prestigious language school in Beijing, seems destined for a promising future. Everything changes when student Red Guards begin to orchestrate brutal assaults, violent public humiliations, and forced confessions. After watching her teachers and headmasters beaten in public, Moying flees school for the safety of home, only to witness her beloved grandmother denounced, her home ransacked, her father's precious books flung onto the back of a truck, and Baba himself taken away. From labor camp, Baba entrusts a friend to deliver a reading list of banned books to Moying so that she can continue to learn. Now, with so much of her life at risk, she finds sanctuary in the world of imagination and learning.This inspiring memoir follows Moying Li from age twelve to twenty-two, illuminating a complex, dark time in China's history as it tells the compelling story of one girl's difficult but determined coming-of-age during the Cultural Revolution.Snow Falling in Spring is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year. Read more

Child exile. Teenage runaway. Military genius. Immortal hero.Yoshitsune had little going for him. Exiled to a monastery, he had no money, no allies, and no martial training. He wasn't big or strong or good-looking. His only assets were brains, ambition, and a dream. But childhood dreams can change history.At the age of fifteen, Yoshitsune escaped. Blow by painful blow, he learned the art of the sword. Fall after bruising fall, he mastered mounted archery. He joined his half brother Yoritomo in an uprising against the most powerful samurai in Japan.This is a story of insane courage and daring feats, bitter rivalry and fatal love. Based on one of the great works of Japanese history and literature, SAMURAI RISING takes a clear-eyed, very modern look at the way of the samurai--and at the man who became the most famous samurai of all. Read more

A comprehensive overview of one of the most controversial wars in America's history written by masterful children's historian and Newbery Medalist Russell Freedman. With prose that is clear, concise, and enthralling, Russell Freedman presents a detailed overview of the Vietnam war.  Beginning with the rise of communism in Vietnam and detailing the increase of American involvement, Freedman then explains why, twenty years later, an exit was so difficult. In addition to explaining the complex beginnings of the conflict through the catastrophic damage the war caused, Freedman concludes with a hopeful epilogue on modern Vietnam.  This is a definitive resource for young history readers as well as anyone who wants a concise and authoritative understanding of the Vietnam War, exploring both the American and Vietnamese perspectives.  Freedman chronicles the history leading up to the war and the unfolding events in Vietnam and in the US as increasing numbers of young men were sent into the jungles to fight. Coverage includes the French war in Vietnam, the rise of Ho Chi Minh, the fall of President Diem, the Tonkin Gulf, the Tet Offensive, the My Lai massacre, the bombing of Cambodia, and the fall of Saigon, as well as the US anti-war movement. The book includes nearly 100 historic photographs and illustrations, as well as candid photographs showcasing the state of Vietnam today.  A glossary, source notes, bibliography and index are included. A Junior Library Guild Selection Read more

A fascinating book about the history and culture of China.The history of China spans thousands of years. Journey through China in this fascinating and absorbing book: discover the land of dragons and emperors, and learn about the significance of its ancient dynasties. Countless tools and materials that people have used every day for centuries—paper, gunpowder, cast iron, matches, and silk, to name just a few—were first made in China. Chinese society has progressed through major changes, but lucky numbers, festivals, beliefs about colors, the practic of footbinding, the building of the Great Wall, and the larger-than-life people of China are all integral parts of this ancient civilization and still have an impact on life today.Bestselling author Adeline Yen Mah explores an extraordinary view of the great story of China over the last two millennia in this nonfiction work, which also includes black-and-white photographs. Read more

Confucius was the most popular philosopher in Ancient China. He was so popular that you can still read about his works up to this day. If you would like to know about the man behind the name, then this is the perfect book to start. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and secure a copy of this book today. Read more