Joker Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Dd has an assignment for middle school (she's in ps) to read a book that takes place in each continent. She's already done North America and Europe. I would like some suggestions for the rest. She's a strong reader and in 7th grade/13 years old. We're fine with just about everything, but she is very sensitive to any animal violence. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Do they need to be separate books or can one book cover multiple continents? I'm asking because I read Visit Sunny Chernobyl earlier this year & it was interesting & thought-provoking. Even though it's an adult book (vs. a YA book), I think it's fine for YA readers. Pink Boots and a Machete also might be a fun read for her, mostly taking place in Africa, though there are parts in South America too. Swimming to Antarctica also takes place around the world, but the ultimate goal (and info) is in Antarctica. Into Thin Air might be a good selection for Asia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 It can take place in several different places, but she only uses one book per continent. Thanks for the suggestions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Huh, you'd think I could come up with one set in Australia. I've heard good things about this book - http://www.amazon.com/Does-Head-Look-Big-This/dp/043992233X/ref=cm_lmf_tit_10 For South America I'd look for a biography of Che. Asia - Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang or maybe a good manga such as Fruits Basket (yes, plural). Here is a good site - http://www.wcl.govt.nz/blogs/teens/index.php/book-lists/books-from-around-the-world/ though some of the books suggested I wouldn't call YA. Here are a ton of suggestions for Africa - http://africa.wisc.edu/?page_id=885 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Also, I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade for Asia. How about any of the Royal Diaries series? Those are set in various locations around the world & are very quick to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Anyone read Picnic at Hanging Rock? It looks like something my dd would be interested in since she loves mysteries, and it would cover Australia. Thanks for all the suggestions so far! She's enjoying looking them all up and wants to read many of them even if not for the assignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Anyone read Picnic at Hanging Rock? It looks like something my dd would be interested in since she loves mysteries, and it would cover Australia. Thanks for all the suggestions so far! She's enjoying looking them all up and wants to read many of them even if not for the assignment. Some of us on the weekly book thread recently read Picnic at Hanging Rock. (You may want to search for the book title to see some of the posts about it.) She might enjoy it (though a part or two was a bit creepy, imo). Though it's quite mysterious, it's not a typical mystery (a la Agatha Christie or something like a Nancy Drew book). I had ordered a copy of the illustrated edition & I'm glad I did. The comments I wrote about the book (on Goodreads) were, "I can see how this book has spawned theories of being true, of hauntings at Hanging Rock, etc.... There is quite a bit of ambiguity in this book (more realistic than a neatly wrapped-up plotline), leaving me to wonder what really happened. I enjoyed the ambiance of places & people from a time & place about which I know little." You should read the Wikipedia entry about it to see if you think it would be something she would like. There was apparently a movie made too, but I've never seen the movie. If she enjoys mysteries, has she read the Flavia de Luce books by Alan Bradley? They are fantastic & fun. (They wouldn't work for her assignment, though, as they're set in England & she's already read her European book....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Oh, yeah, I can't believe I forgot to recommend Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress for the Asian book. It's a gem of a book -- just wonderful. (I saw it mentioned on the link Elizabeth posted.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Thanks for the Flavia de Luce books! I haven't heard of those and just ordered her the first to see how she likes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Is fiction ok? Troubling a Star by Madeleine L'Engle is set in Antarctica. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted December 6, 2012 Author Share Posted December 6, 2012 Is fiction ok? Troubling a Star by Madeleine L'Engle is set in Antarctica. Ooooh, she recently finished the Wrinkle in Time series so she might really want to read this one, too. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Ooooh, she recently finished the Wrinkle in Time series so she might really want to read this one, too. Thanks! Your welcome! FYI, Troubling a Star is from the Austin Family series. Happy reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted December 6, 2012 Share Posted December 6, 2012 Huh, you'd think I could come up with one set in Australia. I've heard good things about this book - http://www.amazon.co...f=cm_lmf_tit_10 It's important as the beginning of a genre, I think, but it's horrible teen lit. Anyone read Picnic at Hanging Rock? It looks like something my dd would be interested in since she loves mysteries, and it would cover Australia. Definitely better quality, but as Stacia said, you should check it out first. If you pick this, I can send her a postcard. :) (Yours will be on the way soon, Stacia!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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