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Winter, Jeannette. The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq. New York: Harcourt, Inc., 2005. "In the Koran, the first thing God said to Muhammad was 'Read.'"* --Alia Muhammad Baker Alia Muhammad Baker is a librarian in Basra, Iraq. For fourteen years, her library has been a meeting place for those who love books. Until now. Now war has come, and Alia fears that the library--along with the thirty thousand books within it--will be destroyed forever. In a war-stricken country where civilians--especially women--have little power, this true story about a librarian's struggle to save her community's priceless collection of books reminds us all how, throughout the world, the love of literature and the respect for knowledge know no boundaries."

Judith Llyod Yero, American Documents: The Bill of Rights (National Geographic Children's Books, 2006). Age Level: 10 and up Publisher Description: Judith Llyod Yero's thought-provoking text, coupled with carefully selected images from the past and present, challenge young readers to carefully examine and understand the Constitution's first ten Amendments, which guarantee their basic human rights. In addition to defining these rights, Yero puts them into the context of present-day life so that kids will recognize that the Bill of Rights is as important to their daily lives as it was to the lives of the first citizens of the newly independent United States. Included in the back matter are the full text of the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Rights of the Stamp Act Congress, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the Miranda Rights.

Alma Fullerton and Karen Patkau, A Good Trade (Toronto: Pajama Press, 2013). Grade Level: K and up Publisher Description: In a small Ugandan village, Kato wakes early to start the long barefoot trek beyond his village and along fields dotted with cattle and guarded by soldiers. As it is every day, his destination is the village well, where he will pump a day's supply of water into two jerry cans before trudging home again. But this is no ordinary day. The aid worker's truck arrives at the village square, and in the back is a gift so special, the little boy rushes home to look for something to repay the aid worker.

Lizzy Rockwell, Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009). Age Level: 4 and up Publisher Description: Good Enough to Eat is one of a kind: the only guide to kids' nutrition written especially for kids. A practical, hands-on tool for families who want to eat a healthy diet, this book explains nutrition from carrots to cookies.

Kashmira Sheth, Boys Without Names (New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2010). Age Level: 8 and up Publisher Description: For eleven-year-old Gopal and his family, life in their rural Indian village is over: We stay, we starve, his baba has warned. They flee to the big city of Mumbai in hopes of finding work and a brighter future. Gopal is eager to help support his struggling family, so when a stranger approaches him with the promise of a factory job, he jumps at the offer. But there is no factory, just a stuffy sweatshop where he and five other boys are forced to work for no money and little food. The boys are forbidden to talk or even to call one another by their real names. Locked away in a rundown building, Gopal despairs of ever seeing his family again. But late one night, when Gopal decides to share kahanis, or stories, he realizes that storytelling might be the boys' key to survival. If he can make them feel more like brothers than enemies, their lives will be more bearable in the shop and they might even find a way to escape.

Heather Forest and Susan Gaber, Stone Soup (Little Rock: August House Little Folk, 1998). Age Level: 4 and up Publisher Description: Two hungry travelers arrive at a village expecting to find a household that will share a bit of food, as has been the custom along their journey. To their surprise, villager after villager refuses to share, each one closing the door with a bang. As they sit to rest beside a well, one of the travelers observes that if the townspeople have no food to share, they must be in greater need than we are.

Harvey Croze, Africa for Kids: Exploring a Vibrant Continent, 19 Activities (Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2006). Age Level: 9 and up Publisher Description: Africa is brought to life in this imaginative look at the plants, animals, and people that make it such a fascinating continent. Studies of both traditional tribes and modern African cities showcase Africa's diversity, and authentic activities allow kids to dive into the rich culture by making a Maasai bivouac shelter, writing a fable in the African style, working as a field biologist, making a ritual elephant mask, and learning to tie an African Kanga dress. This cross-cultural study also shows kids what challenges Africa faces today while giving them a look at what it is like to live on this interesting continent.

Seymour Simon, Guts: Our Digestive System (New York: HarperCollins Children's Books, 2005). Age Level: 6-10 years Publisher Description: The latest in Simon's books about the human body explains how the digestive system works. In his signature style, accessible without being cute or condescending, he describes the complex facts and processes of the physiology, from the time food enters the mouth until all the various organs transform it into energy, nutrients, and waste. Some of the text is quite dense, but the clearly labeled, full-page color photos show the anatomy close-up, from an X-ray of the colon and a photo of a dissected pancreas to a microscopic view of what heartburn looks like in the stomach. Simon also includes a page about a healthy diet. The facts of how the body works are astonishing. Readers older than the target audience may want to look at this, too.

Greg Mortenson et al., Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Journey to Change the World One Child at a Time (Young Reader's Edition) (New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2009). Age Level: 8 and up Publisher Description: This young readers edition of the worldwide bestseller Three Cups of Tea has been specially adapted for younger readers and updated by Greg Mortenson to bring his remarkable story of humanitarianism up to date for the present. Includes new photos and illustrations, as well as a special interview by Greg's twelve-year-old daughter, Amira, who has traveled with her father as an advocate for the Pennies for Peace program for children.

Katie Smith Milway and Eugene Fernandes, One Hen (Tonawanda: Kids Can Press Ltd., 2008). Age Level: 8 and up Publisher Description: Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many. After his father died, Kojo had to quit school to help his mother collect firewood to sell at the market. When his mother receives a loan from some village families, she gives a little money to her son. With this tiny loan, Kojo buys a hen. A year later, Kojo has built up a flock of 25 hens. With his earnings Kojo is able to return to school. Soon Kojo's farm grows to become the largest in the region. Kojo's story is inspired by the life of Kwabena Darko, who as a boy started a tiny poultry farm just like Kojo's, which later grew to be the largest in Ghana, and one of the largest in west Africa. Kwabena also started a trust that gives out small loans to people who cannot get a loan from a bank. One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference. This help comes in the form of a microloan, a lending system for people in developing countries who have no collateral and no access to conventional banking. Microloans have begun to receive more media attention in recent years. In 2006 Muhammad Yunus, a Bangledeshi economist who pioneered microloan banking, won the Nobel Peace Prize.The final pages of One Hen explain the microloan system and include a list of relevant organizations for children to explore. Organization Affiliation: CitizenKid

Judith L. Roth and Brooke Rothshank, Cups Held Out (Scottdale: Herald Press, 2006). Age Level: 4 and up Publisher Description: A young girl and her father cross the border into Mexico where the child encounters poverty for the first time. Together they ponder the question, "What can we do about poor people?" Should they put money into every outstretched cup? Will buying a blanket make a difference? What about that shiny bike back home? There are no pat solutions to the problem of poverty, but there is value in asking the question and searching for personal answers. This book opens discussion for parents and children responsibility toward the poor of the world.

UNCW GAs are the best, but you're the VERY best, Erin Fox! :)

Jeanette Winter, Wangari's Trees of Peace (Orlando: Harcourt Books, 2008). Age Level: 4-8 years Publisher Description: As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something-and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans. This true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is a shining example of how one woman's passion, vision, and determination inspired great change.

In 1959 the ten principles which make up the Universal Rights of the Child were published. From the right to a name and a nationality and protection for handicapped children to the right of education and play, each of those principles is interpreted in a simple and colour illustrated text that can be understood by every child.

Linda Sue Park, A Long Walk to Water: Based on a True Story (New York: Clarion Books, 2010). Age Level: 10 and up Publisher Description: When the Sudanese civil war reaches his village in 1985, eleven-year-old Silva becomes seperated from his family and must walk with other Dinka tribe members through southern Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya in search of safe haven. Based on the life of Salva Dut, who after emigrating to America in 1996, began a project to dig water wells in the Sudan.

Page McBrier and Lori Lohstoeter, Beatrice's Goat (New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2001). Age Level: 4 and up Publisher Description: More than anything, Beatrice longs to be a schoolgirl. But in her small African village, only children who can afford uniforms and books can go to school. Beatrice knows that with six children to care for, her family is much too poor. But then Beatrice receives a wonderful gift from some people far away -- a goat! Fat and sleek as a ripe mango, Mugisa (which means "luck") gives milk that Beatrice can sell. With Mugisa's help, it looks as if Beatrice's dream may come true after all. Page McBrier and Lori Lohstoeter beautifully recount this true story about how one child, given the right tools, is able to lift her family out of poverty. Thanks to Heifer Project International -- a charitable organization that donates livestock to poor communities around the world -- other families like Beatrice's will also have a chance to change their lives.

Jan West Shrock and Aileen Darragh, Give a Goat (Gardiner: Tilbury House Publishers, 2008). Age Level: 6 and up Grade Level: 1 and up Publisher Description: Can reading a picture book in class end up making a difference to a family that lives on a different continent? And what does a goat have to do with it? Some people think philanthropy is only for big foundations with lots of money, but that's only one part of the picture. In this true story, readers will discover what is possible when a class works together on a small, but successful project. Humorous illustrations show the process of identifying a charity and fundraising. Give a Goat is a useful template both for those who work with children and want them to experience the satisfaction of giving to others, and for kids who are looking for ways to make a difference.

David J. Smith and Shelagh Armstrong, If the World Were a Village (Tonawanda: Kids Can Press Ltd., 2011). Age Level: 8 and up Grade Level: 3 and up Publisher Description: The 2nd Edition of the best-selling book which has sold over 400 000 copies in 17 languages updated with new content and insights about the world's people. First published to wide acclaim in 2002, this eye-opening book has since become a classic, promoting "world-mindedness" by imagining the world's population all 6.8 billion of us as a village of just 100 people. Now, If the World Were a Village has been newly revised with updated statistics, several new activities and completely new material on food security, energy and health. By exploring the lives of the 100 villagers, children will discover that life in other nations is often very different from their own. If the World Were a Village is part of CitizenKid: A collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens. Organization Affiliation: CitizenKid

Michael J. Rosen, Food Fight: Poets Join the Fight Against Hunger with Poems about Their Favorite Foods (Boston: Harcourt, 1996). Age Level: 9 and up Publisher Description: Thirty-three poets--including Lois Duncan, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Jane Yolen, and Charlotte Zolotow contribute new poems about different foods, in a volume that benefits Share Our Strength's effort to end hunger.

Patricia Zimmerman Johnson, Happy Humanitarian Helpers (Bloomington: XLIBRIS, 2012). Age Level: 7 and up Publisher Description: Happy Humanitarian Helpers is a story of six students from different backgrounds. They form a bond through their desire to help people. This compassionate group of children devotes their time and talents to making a difference in the lives of others. These inspirational individuals developed a mission statement: Whatever we do, we choose to do it with kindness; for it is in giving that we receive. The Happy Humanitarian Helpers hope their acts of kindness inspire others.

Jennifer Honeck, Safiri's Journey (New York: Williams Brook, 2012). Age Level: 7 and up Publisher Description: Safiri is a young bed net who is traveling around the world to help us all understand how together we can make a difference in the fight against malaria deaths in Africa. $10 buys a bed that saves a life!