From: Renee McGrath <renee_at_nassaulibrary.info>
Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:21:08 -0500

I just offered a workshop yesterday for my children's librarians on promoting International Books for Children. Doris Gebel did a fabulous job and I think many of them were inspired and realized the value of these books in promoting peace and understanding across cultures. Thank you Doris!

As part of the workshop, I had them read an international book. Many of us read *A Faraway Island* and LOVED it. I don't usually do this b/c I hardly ever get the connections but it is a bit like *Number the Stars* meets *Anne of Green Gables*. Not in the literal sense, but certainly in the feeling it gave me when the two refugee sisters arrive on the Island and the older girl Stephie gets placed with a stern woman who doesn't seem to care about her very much. This reminded me of Anne's arrival to her new home and her adoptive mother Marilla's disappointment because she is a girl and not a boy like they wanted.

This is a WWII refugee story at its finest. It brings the horrors of war and being a refugee child to life while also giving us a wonderful story about the complicated relationship between two sisters.

Now, I implore all of you to beg Random House to publish the other 3 books in the quartet. I want to read more about the sisters and the islanders. PLEASE PUBLISH THEM!!! -- Renee McGrath Youth Services Manager Nassau Library System 900 Jerusalem Avenue Uniondale, NY 11553 516-292-8920
Received on Tue 02 Feb 2010 10:21:08 AM CST