Nonfiction/Biography/Poetry/Prose

Jacket	Title/Author	Annotation	Grade Level*
	West of Kabul, East of New York by Tamim Ansary	From his birth, Ansary is a part of two worlds--Islamic Afghanistan through his father and the secular West through his American mother. His life embodies both cultures.	11-12
	Poems from Homeroom: A Writer's Place to Start by Kathi Appelt	Real issues of high school life are addressed in these poems that could have been written about any high school. Also included are ideas about writing original poetry.	9-12
	Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat	Barakat tells the story of her childhood, filled with more war than peace. Never having a lasting physical home, she finds peace and stability in words and language.	9-12
	A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah	At 12 years of age, Ishmael, is forced to join Sierra Leone's army in their brutal civil war or starve to death. A journey from a normal boy to a drug addicted killing machine and back.	Adult/ 11-12
	The Smile of a Dolphin edited by Marc Bekoff	In this book, fifty scientists feel positively that animals (including apes, birds, reptiles, fish, elephants, dogs and others) feel such emotions as love, fear, anger, joy, grief, pride, and shame.	9-12
	Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich	Can a single woman live on the wages paid by Wal-Mart or earned by waiting tables in a diner or cleaning hotel rooms? The author tests the theory that is reality for millions by spending a year with minimum wage shelter, food, bosses, and friends.	11-12
	Walking on Glass by Alma Fullerton	A teenage boy writes in his journal in response to events that lead to his mother's comatose state. As he deals, he spirals out of control with his friends, actions, and feelings.	10-12
	Hole in My Life by Jack Gantos	In the summer of 1971, the young Jack Gantos agreed to smuggle drugs on a yacht, was busted, and sentenced to serve six years in prison. In this honest and compelling story, the creator of Joey Pigza and Rotten Ralph recounts how he endured this experience and began to develop his writing abilities in prison.	10-12
	Chess: From First Moves to Checkmate by Daniel King	With text and stunning graphics, this ancient and most respected of games becomes even more irresistible and engaging.	9-12
	My Forbidden Face by Latifa	This autobiography of sixteen-year-old Latifa weaves the brutality and repression of Afghan life under the Taliban rule with the resiliency of a teenage girl.	9-12
	Yell-oh Girls!: Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity and Growing Up Asian edited by Vickie Nam	This anthology of stories and poetry from Asian-American high school and college students show the challenge of growing up in two cultures.	10-12
	19 Varieties of Gazelle by Naomi Shihab Nye	Nye’s collection of poems, using family members as well as strangers and published post 9-11, shows the human side of life in the Middle East.	9-12
	The Nature of Frogs: Amphibians with Attitude by Harry Parsons	Fascinating facts virtually leap off the page in this witty look at the often misunderstood frog.	9-12
	Truth and Lies an Anthology of Poems by Patrice Vecchione	This anthology of seventy thought-provoking poems explores the concept of telling truths and telling lies relating to subjects such as romantic love, family life, and friendship. Readers will experience humor, sorrow, sadness, and anguish.	9-12
*Grade level suggestions are based on professional review sources. Some books contain mature themes. Please discuss reading selections as a family.

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