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Global Education and
Literacy: Book Groups for
All Ages
Jennifer Hanson, Primary Source

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Welcome
 Jennifer Hanson, Librarian, Primary Source
 What is Primary Source?
 Non profit organization in Watertown, Massachusetts
 Professional development for K-12 teachers
 “Educating for Global Understanding”
 http://www.primarysource.org

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Primary Source Book Groups
 Audience
 K-12 teachers
 Usually 20 participants.
 Runs during school year
 Meet 5-6 times
 Once per month, October-February or March
 Invite scholars and teachers to facilitate book group
discussions.
 Purpose:To expose teachers to young adult/adult literature
with global themes.

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Thematic Book Groups
 Coming of Age Around the World
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz
Gonzalez
Set in Cuba a year or two after the Cuban
Revolution. Tells the story of a brother and
sister and how the Revolution impacts their
lives. When they are sent to the United
States as part of Operation Pedro Pan,
Lucia and Frankie don’t know if they will
ever see their parents or Cuba again.
For grades 6 and up.

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Girl in Translation: A Novel by Jean Kwok
Kimberly and her mother immigrate to
Brooklyn in the early 1980s from Hong
Kong. A beautiful story of resilience,
courage, and determination.
For grade 10 to adult.

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Bamboo People: A Novel by Mitali Perkins
Chiko, a bookish boy who has been forced
to be a Burmese soldier, crosses paths with
Tu Reh, a member of the Karenni people,
an ethnic minority group fighting the
Burmese government. When Chiko is
gravely injured, Tu Reh must decide
between life and death. What develops is a
beautiful story of friendship, courage, and
compassion.
For grades 6 and up.

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Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-
Fattah
Lebanese-Australian teenager Jamilah struggles
to determine who she is—Jamie or Jamilah?
For grades 8 and up.

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Immigrant and Refugee Stories
This trilogy tells the story of a migrant family from Mexico. The Circuit is a
series of short stories and begins in the 1950s when Francisco is in
elementary school.
For grades 5 and up.

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West of the Jordan: A Novel by Laila
Halaby
Halaby alternates the stories of four
cousins--three living in the United States
and one residing in Jordan.
For grades 10 and up.

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Tangled Threads: A Hmong Girl’s Story by
Pegi Deitz Shea
After ten years in a refugee camp in Thailand,
thirteen-year-old Mai travels to Providence,
Rhode Island, where her Americanized
cousins introduce her to pizza and shopping
while her grandmother and new friends keep
her connected to her Hmong heritage.
For grades 6 and up.

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Family
Brother, I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat
Danticat describes the relationship
between her father, Mira, and his older
brother, Joseph, discussing how their
relationship changed from their
childhood in Haiti through their
immigration to America to their
eventual separation.
For grade 12 to adult.

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Climbing the Stairs by Padma
Venkatraman
In India, in 1941, when her father
becomes injured in a non-violent protest
march, fifteen-year-old Vidya and her
family are forced to move in with her
father's extended family and become
accustomed to a totally different way of
life.
For grades 6 and up.

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Genre
 Historical Fiction
 Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata
 A PlaceWhere Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai
 Memoir
 Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
 Dancing to Freedom by Li Cunxin, illustrated by Anne Spudvilas

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Suggested Global Themes and
Book Selections for All Ages
 Microfinance
One Hen by Katie Smith Milway
Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins
Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus

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 Peace/War or Violence/Non Violence
Brothers in Hope by Mary
Williams
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
God Grew Tired of Us by John Bul Dau
What is the What by Dave Eggers

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ForYour Consideration
 Consider using graphic novels
American Born Chinese by Gene Luan Yang
Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book
Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan

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ForYour Consideration
 Skype with an Author
 http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/
 Book Groups by Region
 Regional diversity
 Cultural diversity
 Geographic diversity
 Male protagonists and/or authors

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Where do I find possible books for
my book group or classroom?
 Book Awards
 http://resources.primarysource.org/globalliterature
 Pura Belpre Award—honors Latino writers and illustrators
 Middle East Book Award—books for children and young adults that
contribute meaningfully to an understanding of the Middle East
 Children’s Africana Book Award—best children’s books about
Africa
 Review Websites
 Africa Access Review
http://www.africaaccessreview.org/aar/Database.aspx
 Database of Award-Winning Children’s Literature
http://www.dawcl.com/

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 Book Lists
 Notable Social Studies Trade Books (from NCSS)
 Outstanding International Books from USBBY (United States Board
on Books for Young People)

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Questions?

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Contact Information
Jennifer Hanson
Librarian
Primary Source
jennifer@primarysource.org
http://www.primarysource.org/resources