Rickshaw Girl by Mitali Perkins illustrated by Jamie Hogan

 Naima is the best alpana creator in her village in Bangladesh. When she ruins her father's rickshaw, she seeks out a way to earn money to repair it. Problem is, girls and women do not have many opportunities to be employed. Is she willing to challenge tradition and custom? 

Ms. Perkins's parents are from Bangladesh. I loved this story because of its culturally-rich experience. A short chapter book

-Borrowed from the library.

Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja illustrated by Shiho Pate*

 Absolutely adorable!

Six-year-old Hiro loves watching his dad make ramen each Sunday for the family. When he turns seven, he decides he is old enough to make the family a ramen dinner. Generations of the family's fathers have been making ramen. To his disgust, he ruins the dinner. With some creativity, he salvages it and creates a wonderful ramen meal.

The illustrations and layouts are fun and creative. Japanese writing is included in the illustrations.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Peak by Roland Smith*

 I researched online for "clean books" for teen boys on behalf of my thirteen-year-old. This title was one that appeared on a list. My son really enjoyed this book and recommended it to me.

After climbing a New York City skyscraper, fourteen-year-old Peak is arrested and placed on trial. His father, Joshua Woods, whom he has not seen in years, arrives just in time. The solution? Make Peak disappear from the U.S. and give him the opportunity to climb Mt. Everest so he will be the youngest person to reach its summit. Peak learns about unselfishness and what truly matters in life. 

This novel will reveal the tenacity and the stamina people who climb Mt. Everest must possess. The reader will learn a lot about climbing and acclimation.  A story that will appeal to active, adventurous readers. Although Peak is competitive and has flaws, his kindness ultimately rules his final decisions. He is a credible character. 

*Highly recommend but see warnings. This novel is labeled a "young adult". 

Topics to discuss/Warnings: Peak's arrest & his attitude, lying, a couple of swear words, a woman mentions how Josh Woods is cute and contemplates sneaking into his tent one night & says waiting until they are in higher elevation to engage in this activity is not a good idea "more than your lungs shut down", Peak's mom and dad have him out wedlock and never marry, Peak's dad, Joshua Woods, is selfish and not an involved father

-Borrowed from the library. It appears a total of four books are in this series.

Peace Child by Don Richardson*

 I read this biography aloud during lunch to my two tween/teenage sons....not always a great choice when I read about the Sawi's cannibalistic ventures!

Don Richardson relates how he and his wife minister to the Sawi people of New Guinea, building off the the tribe's age-old customs with Christ as the redemptive answer. How God has prepared all people groups for His redemption amazed us. His Word relates to ALL cultures. He has set eternity in all men's hearts.  We enjoyed learning about different culture's customs and beliefs.

*Highly recommend for teenagers and older (some graphic violence and graphic cannibalism).

-I own this book.

The Gift of the Crocodile by Judy Sierra illustrated by Reynold Ruffins

A Cinderella Story which takes place in the Spice Islands, Indonesia
Damura endures the scorn and abuse from a stepmother.  When she loses her sarong in the river, a crocodile retrieves it and thus begins a special relationship between the two.  Little does Damura realize that her kindness and respect that day will save her life in the near future.
A very unique Cinderella story with an interesting twist.
I appreciated Ms. Sierra's Folklore Note in the background.
-Borrowed from the library.

Come Look With Me: Asian Art by Kimberly Lane*

Each day while we study Asian Medieval History we have been looking at a piece of art from this book.  On the opposite side of the featured art piece, are questions to stimulate discussion and thought about the art plus a few paragraphs about how the piece was made and the history surrounding it and the time period. 
I love the range of art -from medieval to modern times!
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

K is for Kabuki by Gloria Whelan and Jenny Nolan illustrated by Oki S. Han*

I read parts of this book aloud to my boys while we learned about medieval Japan. 
A wide variety of topics about Japan are covered.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

Adventures on the Ancient Silk Road by Priscilla Galloway with Dawn Hunter*

My twelve year old read this book to himself to support our study of Medieval Asia.
Told from three different points of view, the book reveals life on the Silk Road.  The three men featured are: Xuanzang (a Buddhist monk), Genghis Khan and Marco Polo.
The narrative is in story format.  Tons of facts and information are provided via the narrative plus the extra text boxes.
A perfect resource when learning about Medieval Asia.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Cat from Hunger Mountain by Ed Young

Unique collage artwork
The wealthy cat indulges himself day after day, even wasting his rice which he has washed down the river.  Then a drought causes everyone to leave the area in search of work and food in the city.  The cat is the last to leave and finds a monk who is sharing rice.  He wonders how this monk could have all of this rice during a time of drought.  The answer surprises the cat  . . . and will startle the reader!
-Borrowed from the library.

Ishtar's Odyssey by Arnold Ytreeide*

Ishtar only knows the comforts of the palace and the boring day-to-day lessons.
When he discovers a star in the sky, he finds himself traveling with his father, two uncles, servants, guards and many camels to a far away land to meet the new baby, a Hebrew King.
Beginning on the first Sunday of Advent, families can read daily snippets of Ishtar's journey and observe how he grows from a spoiled, insecure ten year old to a thoughtful, courageous young man.  He meets other characters from this Advent series (Jotham, Bartholomew, and Tabitha).
Each day ends with a spiritual application and verse.
*Highly recommend.
-We own this book.
The boys and I like Jotham's Journey by this author the best.

Running Shoes by Frederick Lipp illustrated by Jason Gaillard

Sophy lives with her mother in Cambodia.  She longs to attend school which is 8 kilometers away from her village.  One day the "number man" (who annually counts how many people live in their village) provides a way for her to earn an education.
Inspiring story!
-Borrowed from the library.

In a Village by the Sea by Muon Van illustrated by April Chu

A very simple book depicting Vietnamese fishing culture.  In the middle the story has an unexpected twist.
Beautiful illustrations.
I would have liked a more complex story to understand this culture better.
The author's note offers some interesting insights but wish she would have incorporated them into the story.

Secret Agent Jack Stalwart The Secret of the Sacred Temple #5 by Elizabeth Singer Hunt*

Read by seven year old.
This time Jack travels Cambodia to rescue the guardian of the Angkor Wat treasures.
*Highly recommend.

The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garland illustrated by Tatsur Kiuchi

The narrator  tells how her grandmother took a lotus seed from the emperor's garden and then carries the seed the U.S when escaping war-torn Vietnam.  The grandmother is heart broken when her grandson takes the seed, plants it and forgets where he planted it!  The story ends happily with a message of hope.

Oh, No! by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann

The story takes place in an Asian jungle where a tiger chases a frog into a hole. Animal after animal tries to rescue the previous ones but end up in the hole too.   The reader sees hints of the tiger on almost every page and can infer that he is anticipating a delicious meal!  Suspenseful story line and a great ending (not for the tiger!)
Repetitive text and fun sound effects.  A perfect read aloud for story time.
Strategies: predicting; inferring