Resources

Resource List: Fiction

A Balloon for Grandad by Nigel Gray (Author), Jane Ray (Author, Illustrator)

ISBN-10: 1852136529 Published by Orchard Books (1994)

This simple story explores having families in distant lands.

The Conquerors by David McKee,

ISBN: 1842704680 £5.99, Published by Andersen

The ruling General of a dominant country conquered all his neighbours including one small jovial country. The traditions of this country proved more powerful than the might of the conquerors.

Elmer And The Hippos by David McKee,

ISBN: 009945114X £4.99 Published by Red Fox

The elephants learn to welcome the arrival of the hippos - eventually, by working together with them.

The Colour of Home - by Mary Hoffman

ISBN 0711219915 £5.99 Published by Frances Lincoln Ltd.

The story of Hassan's first day at an English school, after his family flee the war in Somalia. It describes his sadness, and how the school helps him to feel welcome and settled. A beautiful picture book, suitable for ages 5 11.

Bilingual Folk Tales

£3.00 or £3.60 each Published by the Refugee Council

A series of colourful illustrated books, each telling a popular folk tale from a different country, matching the English translation against the tale told in its original language. Suitable for early years and primary schools. Each book carries details of the country where the folk tale originated.

Petar's Song - by Pratima Mitchell

ISBN 0 7112 2078 6 £5.99 Published by Frances Lincoln Ltd.

Beautifully illustrated story of family separation caused by war. Suitable for ages 9 and above.

Refugee Boy - by Benjamin Zephaniah

ISBN 0 7475 5086 7 £5.99 Published by Bloomsbury Publishing

The story of Alem, a 14 year old unaccompanied refugee living in England. His mother is Eritrean and his father Ethiopian, and with both countries at war, he is welcome in neither place. A thought provoking book, useful for discussion for young people aged 11 and above, and for teacher background information.

The Other Side of Truth - by Beverly Naidoo

ISBN 0 14 130476 6 £4.99 Published by Puffin

A fast and vivid account of a family's flight from threat and murder seen through the eyes of 12 year old Sade and her 10 year old brother Femi. It traces their frightening experiences in both Nigeria and England. Suitable for ages 11 and above. Web of Lies is the follow up.

AK - by Peter Dickinson

ISBN 0 330 48204 1 £4.99 Published by Macmillan

Deeply sympathetic story of a boy soldier in a fictional African country. Raises many questions about war and rebellion. Suitable for ages 11 and above.

Home is a Place called Nowhere - by Leon Rosselson

ISBN 0 19 271914 9 £6.99 Published by Oxford University Press

The story of a young adopted refugee's attempt to find her real story. Ages 10 and above.

Zlata's Diary - by Zlata Filipovic

ISBN 0 14 037463 9 £4.99 Published by Puffin

Real diary of a young girl trapped in Sarajevo when war broke out in 1992. For nearly 2 years she recorded how war touched her daily life and robbed her of her childhood. Very useful for young people aged 10 and above, particularly in comparison with Anne Franks' Diary.

Hana's Suitcase - by Karen Levine

ISBN 0 237 52630 1 Published by Evans

A biography of a Czech girl who died in the Holocaust, told in alternating chapters with an account of how the curator of a Japanese holocaust Centre learned about her life, after Hana's suitcase was sent to her. Moving and beautifully told. Suitsble for ages 10 and above.

The Breadwinner - by Deborah Ellis

ISBN: 0192753762 Published by Oxford University Press £4.99

The story of two young girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime and after. 'We've heard and read millions of words about living under the Taliban, yet it remains a distant horror. But (The Breadwinner) brings everything to poignant life' (The Independent)

Parvana's Journey and Mud City are the second and third books in this trilogy. All three books are excellent for ages 10 upwards.