From: Leah Langby <langby_at_ifls.lib.wi.us>
Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:22:09 -0500

I've read two books this spring that stood out for me:

Queen of Water by Laura Resau and Maria Virginia Farinango is based on the true story of Maria Virginia Farinango, an indigenous girl from the mountains of Ecuador who ended up working (for no pay) for a family of mestizos, starting at the age of 7 or so. Virginia has been recognized as lively and spunky since her early childhood. Though her story pulls no punches in the description of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, it is funny and hopeful, too, as Virginia struggles to make sense of her world in a terrible situation. My highschool daughter really enjoyed it, and my middle school daughter and I read it together. It opens lots of doors to discuss power, race, oppression, self-image and problem-solving, to name a few things.

Tall Story is a debut novel from Filipino/English author Candy Gourlay. It is told from 2 perspectives: basketball-crazed Andi (who is short but very skilled at basketball, and who has a hilarious and snarky voice) and her half-brother Bernardo, who has just moved to England to live with them from the Philippines. Bernardo is 8 feet tall, and the people in his village have decided he is a reincarnation of a folk hero that saved their town from earthquakes in the past. I haven't finished this one yet, but it is moving and poignant and worth taking a look at. My 12 year old and I are reading this one together, too.


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Leah Langby Library Development and Youth Services Coordinator Indianhead Federated Library System 1538 Truax Boulevard Eau Claire, WI 54703-1569 phone: 715-839-5082 ext.114 fax: 715-839-5151 email: langby_at_ifls.lib.wi.us www.ifls.lib.wi.us


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Received on Fri 03 Jun 2011 03:22:09 PM CDT