Wonder World Book Cafe'

⏰Listening Committment: 10 minutes 

In Leng'ete's memoir, learn how she escaped the dangerous, potentially deadly, age-old Maasai coming-of-age tradition, female circumcision or FGM (female genital mutilation). Leng'ete is honest about her Maasai traditions as she juxtaposes what she loves, honors, and respects versus what must change. Learn about the all-important work Leng'ete has done and continues to do to educate communities about the positive impact of empowering girls and ending FGM forever. 

Transcript here 

⏰Listening Commitment 10 minutes 

The last slave ship, The Clotilda, illegally brings 110 West Africans to Mobile, Alabama. When freed after The Civil War, they go onto create a town all their own called African Town. Inspired by true events.

Transcript here 

⏰Listening Commitment 9 minutes

Petra and her family are desperately trying to flee the Federales during Mexico's Revolution in 1913. They trudge through the life-threatning desert in an attempt to survive. Inspired by the author's great grandmother's tales, readers will cry with and cheer for Petra Luna. 

Transcript here 

⏰Listening commitment: 8 minutes 

High school students, Moth and Sani, have devastating pasts. In each other, they find what feels like "home." The the adults who are supposed to take care of them fail; this becomes the catalyst for a summer road trip where Moth and Sani seek the ghosts of their Black and Native American ancestors. Amber McBride's debut YA novel written in verse is haunting and hopeful. Readers can't decide if they should read it quickly to know what happens next or to savor the lyricalness of McBride's writing. (Suggestion: read twice!)

Transcript here 

⏰Listening commitment: just 9 minutes 

Living in India, at the age of 13, Meera is already a widow. She was wed to her husband when she was four years old, and was to move in with him and his family on her 13th birthday. Meera was momentarily thrilled when she learned her husband was killed in a riot with the British who are occupying India. The joy quickly turns to despair when Meera learns she is expected to commit Sati, the ancient tradition where a widow throws herself on her husband's funeral pyre to avoid being a burden to society. 

Transcript here

⏰Listening commitment: just 8 minutes

✨✨Celebrating the 10th episode in our cafe! ✨✨

Young adults and those well beyond will be captivated by this swift moving story that crosses generations, cultures, and countries. All My Rage is filled with so many topics to discuss: grief, trauma, forgiveness, rage, hope, and music (when all else fails, song lyrics say it best). Settle in with All My Rage; you can't put it down. Perfect for book clubs!

Transcript here 

Author’s Website here

⏰Listening commitment: only 7 minutes

🇬🇭Living in Accra, Ghana, sixteen year old Amerley bears the weight of her three younger sisters and emotionally absent mother. Leaving her village to work as a servant seems the only way to help her family survive. While working in a luxurious compound, Amerley is raped, and it seems to be all her fault. Read Even When Your Voice Shakes to learn about the strength and spirit of this young woman. 

Transcript and episode notes 

Listening commitment: only 9 minutes

Eleven-year old Zlata loves her beautiful city, Sarajevo in the country of Bosina and Herzegovina. Then in 1991, the war starts. Zlata and her family and friends endure constant nearby bombings, food shortages, no electricity, and hauling water to their apartment. Turn Zlata's diary pages to read about about living through wartime horrors. During the war, Zlata's diary was published. Read to find out how this was a turning point for Zlata and her family. 

Transcript and episode notes ">here. 

Listening commitment: Only 9 minutes

Meet Reha who is grappling with her identify: Her parents are from India, and she was born in the U.S. 

Enjoy music from the 80s as a natural part of this story, then learn how a 13 year-old can be strong enough  to help her family when her mother is diagnosed with a serious illness. 

Transcript and episode notes here. 

Listening commitment: Just 10 minutes

You'll  discover a story you'll want to read and put in the hands of young adult readers. While fictional, many aspects contained on the pages in This Light Between Us are true. In the beginning, readers will be delighted with playful, innocent letters exchanged between two unlikely ten year olds. Alex, a Japanese-American, living on Bainbridge Island in Washington becomes pen pals with Charly, a French-Jewish girl, living in Paris. As time marches on, Alex's and Charly's stories are juxtaposed, and are in many ways, surprisingly similar. Learn about the role our Japanese-Americans had in WWII.

Transcript and websites mentioned in this episode here.