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I have recently decided to add some more books to our collection of books, with some more challenging books for Bee, and decided to share them here with you. Over the course of the month I will try to do some full reviews on each book. But in the meantime, for World Book Day, I am listing them now. Please note that some of the books may be more suitable for closer to 10+ year olds… use your judgement about whether you feel your child is mature enough to handle some of the topics. And although I have said 8-12 year olds, my eldest has still enjoyed reading some of them.
We recently heard about The Boy at The Back of the Class and it was being highly recommended by many. Once we purchased it and enjoyed reading it we decided to get the other books by the same author.
The Boy at The Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf
There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it.
He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!
But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn’t very strange at all. He’s a refugee who’s run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help.
The Star Outside my Window by Onjali Q Rauf
Warning: The book does touch upon domestic violence so may need parental guidance for the younger children.
I’ve always wanted to be a Star Hunter. Grown -ups call them astronomers but I think Star Hunter sounds much better. I was going to become one when I finished school, but I can’t wait that long anymore. You see, I have to find my mum. Everyone says she’s gone but I know that’s not true – I know she’s turned into a star. She’s breaking all the rules of the universe to find me again. And I’m going to break all the rules I know to help her do it.
The Night Bus Hero by Onjali Q Rauf
I’ve been getting into trouble for as long as I can remember. Usually I don’t mind ‘cos some of my best, most brilliant ideas have come from sitting in detention. But recently it feels like no one believes me about anything – even when I’m telling the truth! And it’s only got worse since I played a prank on the old man who lives in the park. Everyone thinks I’m just a bully. They don’t beleive I could be a hero. So I’m going to prove them all wrong.
Ayesha Dean The Istanbul Intrigue by Melati Lum
Ayesha and her friends, Sara and Jess, are on the trip of a lifetime from Austrailia to Istanbul. But when Ayesha discovers a mysterious note in an ancient book, their relaxing holiday starts to get a whole lot more complicated. Ayesha finds herself in the middle of a hundred year old Sufi mystery, trying to avoid creepy villains, while still ensuring she gets to eat the best donor kebab Istanbul has to offer.
Escape from Aleppo by N.H Senzai
It is December 17, 2010: Nadia’s twelth birthday and the beginning of the Arab Spring. Soon anti-government protests erupt across the Middle East and, one by one, countries are thrown into turmoil. As civil war flares in Syria and bombs fall across Nadia’s home city of Aleppo, her family decides to fleee to safety. Inspired by current events, this novel sheds light on the complucated situation in Syria that has led to an international refugee crisis, and tells the story of one girl’s journey to safety.
Agent Zaiba Investigates by Annabelle Sami
Zaiba’s got everything it takes to become the World’s greatest detective. She just needs a crime to solve!
Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
Amina has never been comfortable in the spotlight. She is happy just hanging out with her best friend, Soojin. Except now that she’s in middle school everything feels different. Soojin is suddenly hanging out with Emily, one of the ‘cool’ girls in class, and even talking about changing her name to something more ‘American.’ Does Amina need to start changing too? Or hiding who she is to fit in? While Amina grapples with these questions, her local mosque is vandalised, and she is devastated.
Mashallah very nice