Room in Your Heart by Kunzang Choden; illustrated by Pema Tshering (KitaabWorld, 2018). An old woman who lives in a tiny house in the mountains is hailed by many travelers who ask “Is there room for …
2019
Machher Jhol
Machher Jhol by Richa Jha, illustrations by Sumanta Dey (Pickle Yolk Books, 2018). Gopu finds courage as he travels through the bustling crowds, the market, and traffic of Calcutta, to gather ingredients for his grandma to …
I Need to Pee
I Need to Pee by Neha Singh; illustrated by Meenal Singh and Erik Egerup (Puffin Books, 2018). Where do you go when you just have to go? Sahi, a little girl who loves to drink all …
Farmer Falgu Goes to Kumbh Mela
Farmer Falgu Goes to Kumbh Mela by Chitra Soundar, illustrations by Kanika Nair (Karadi Tales, 2018). Farmer Falgu is excited to see the sadhus and elephant processions and savor sweet treats like jalebi and lassi. But he has surprises in store …
The Clever Tailor
The Clever Tailor by Srividhya Venkat and illustrated by Nayantara Surendranath (Karadi Tales, 2019). In this colorful tale, talented tailor, Rupa Ram, finds creative ways to reuse the cloth of his old turban, finally weaving an …
The Night Diary
Twelve-year old Nisha is forced to escape her home in 1947 with her Hindu family during the partition of India. Trying to make sense of the world during this treacherous moment in history, she writes letters to her Muslim mother in her journal, who died in childbirth. (Grades 5-8)
Iqbal and His Ingenious Idea
What would it be like to use a broken umbrella to win a school science fair? Watch Iqbal help his family find a way to cook their food without using an open fire at their home in Bangladesh. Hear the monsoon rain, the wind, and baby Rupa’s cough from breathing the smoke from the fire. Use the glossary and the do-it-yourself activity, too! (Grades 3-7)
The Eleventh Trade
Sami’s grandfather’s rebab, an Afghan instrument, is stolen while it’s in Sami’s care. Since it’s necessary for their livelihood, the boy must figure out how to buy it back from the shop where it was pawned. He begins by making trades with fellow students, but will that be enough to get the instrument back? (Grades 5-8)
Amal Unbound
Twelve-year old Amal aspires to be a teacher in Pakistan. After unintentionally insulting a member of her village’s ruling family, that dream is sunk. As punishment, Amal is forced to leave her distraught family behind and work as an indentured servant at the Khan estate. Discovering their corruptness, Amal summons her courage and intellect to secure justice and freedom. (Grades 5-8)
The Secret Kingdom: Nek Chand, a Changing India, and a Hidden World of Art
In 1947, Nek Chand began building a Rock Garden in Chandigarh, India, using natural and discarded manmade materials, including broken glass, porcelain from chipped sinks, old bicycles and rusty pipes. Readers will learn of Chand’s marvelous creations in this picture book biography with detailed illustrations and a gatefold photograph. (Grades 2-5)