Book Finder

“A forced pen-pal exchange turns into an opportunity for real communication between Illinois sixth-grader Abby Carson and Sadeed Bayat, the best English-language student in his Afghan village. When Abby’s first letter arrives in Bahar-Lan, 11-year-old Sadeed is asked by the elders to compose his sister Amira’s reply; it isn’t proper for a boy and girl to correspond with one another. But soon Sadeed can’t resist telling Abby that it is he who has been writing to her. The third-person narrative alternates points of view, allowing for inclusion of intriguing details of both lives.” — School Library Journal

Extra Credit

Andrew Clements

Age Level:

Middle Grade

Genre:

Fiction

Published:

2009

Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-year old GI

Ryan Smithson

Age Level:

YA

Genre:

Autobiography and Memoir, Nonfiction

Published:

2009

Obayda’s family is in need of some good fortune, and her aunt has an idea to bring the family luck — dress Obayda, the youngest of four sisters, as a boy, a bacha posh. Life in this in-between place is confusing, but once Obayda meets another bacha posh, everything changes. Their transformation won’t last forever, though — unless the two best friends can figure out a way to make it stick and make their newfound freedoms endure.

One Half from the East

Nadia Hashimi

Age Level:

Middle Grade

Genre:

Fiction

Published:

2018

The Kite Runner

Khaled Hosseini

Age Level:

YA

Genre:

Fiction, Historical Fiction

Published:

2003

Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it’s hard to feel American now when he’s terrified that his mother will be discovered — and that they will be separated.

When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he’s overestimated what he can do.

After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle — even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won’t be able to run forever.

The Sky at Our Feet

Nadia Hashimi

Age Level:

Middle Grade

Genre:

Fiction

Published:

2019

AdLit 101

In the Classroom

Books & Authors

Topics A-Z

Book Finder

Extra Credit

Ghosts of War: The True Story of a 19-year old GI

One Half from the East

The Kite Runner

The Sky at Our Feet

Visit our sister websites:

Reading RocketsLaunching Young Readers(opens in a new window)

Start with a BookRead. Explore. Learn!(opens in a new window)

Colorín ColoradoHelping ELLs Succeed(opens in a new window)

LD OnLineAll About Learning Disabilities(opens in a new window)

Reading UniverseAll About Teaching Reading and Writing(opens in a new window)