World Culture

Expand your world and learn about other cultures.

From Another Land: Refugee and Immigrant Stories

February 8, 2017 | jonesw
Brothers in hope : the story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams

Eight-year-old Garang, orphaned by a civil war in Sudan, finds the inner strength to help lead other boys as they trek hundreds of miles seeking safety in Ethiopia, then Kenya, and finally in the United States.

Carmen learns English by Judy Cox

Newly-arrived in the United States from Mexico, Carmen is apprehensive about going to school and learning English.

Hit the Road with Historical Fiction

May 24, 2016 | strande
Breaking Stalin's nose by Eugene Yelchin

In the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union, ten-year-old Sasha idolizes his father, a devoted Communist, but when police take his father away and leave Sasha homeless, he is forced to examine his own perceptions, values, and beliefs.

The inquisitor's tale, or, the three magical children and their holy dog by Adam Gidwitz
Also available in: audiobook

Crossing paths at an inn, thirteenth-century travelers impart the tales of a monastery oblate, a Jewish refugee, and a psychic peasant girl with a loyal greyhound, the three of whom join forces on a chase through France to escape persecution.

A single shard by Linda Sue Park
Also available in: audiobook

Tree-ear, a thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, lives under a bridge in a potters' village, and longs to learn how to throw the delicate celadon ceramics himself.

Travel to New Lands through a Picture Book

January 29, 2016 | strande

The books below are set in many different places. Use them to take a trip, somewhere new and exotic, or somewhere familiar. 

Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown

When a man brings to a remote village two burros, Alfa and Beto, loaded with books the children can borrow, Ana's excitement leads her to write a book of her own as she waits for the BibliBurro to return. Includes a note on the true story of Columbia's BiblioBurro and mobile libraries in other countries.

The sky of Afghanistan by Ana A. de Eulate

A little Afghan girl dreams of peace spreading throughout her country.

Pages