caba highly recommended 2010

CABA HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BOOKS, 2010

The Children’s Africana Book Awards were established in 1991 by The Outreach Council of the African Studies Association (ASA). The Council aims to share and disseminate resources about Africa; exchanges experiences on best practices in conducting outreach activities; serves as the ASA membership in educating the public about Africa; and facilitates the exchange of ideas, information and research findings on Africa.

“What a splendid little book this is. It tells the story of the building of enormous magical boats that were meant to take King Khufu through the sky after his death, the discovery in 1954 of one of these ships on the south side of the Great Pyramid, and the ensuing efforts to rebuild it…. the author uses the name "Cheops,“ which is the name used by the Greeks when referring to Khufu. ….” Reviewer: Ronald J. Leprohon, University of Toronto

Copyright 2010 Africa Access

Best Book for Young Children, 2010

Complete review at http://www.africaaccessreview.org/aar/detail.aspx?r=2307

http://www.africaaccessreview.org/aar/detail.aspx?r=2307

“Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book, a graphic novel published by Norton Books is a collaborative project between The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Umlando Wezithombe (History of Pictures), a comic production company. The book is as the title suggests a visual representation of the life and times of Nelson Mandela also affectionately known by his clan name, Madiba. A collection of a series of nine separate comics first released in South Africa in October 2005, Nelson Mandela: The Authorized Comic Book is an ambitious project. Divided into eight chapters, the story of Nelson Mandela's life unfolds in beautifully drawn graphic images accompanied with narrative text….” Reviewer: Illana Lancaster, George Washington University



Best Book for Older Readers, 2010


“I feel like I have just walked through the streets of Timbuktu, climbed dunes of the Sahara desert and floated on the Niger River. Cristina Kessler, author of many award-winning books, has lived in Africa, including Mali and is well positioned to write authoritatively and authentically about life and issues in Africa.Kessler's Trouble in Timbuktu introduces readers to three distinct areas of contemporary Mali as she plots her twin protagonists, Ahmed and Ayisha, through a scheme to save ancient manuscripts from falling into the hands of strangers. The twins, who straddle traditional and modern societies, are ambitious, intelligent, obedient (most of the time), impetuous and eager for adventure. The latter sets the stage for a page-turner story that is suspenseful, entertaining and informative about the cultural, historical and ecological richness of Timbuktu and its environment. ….” Reviewer: Veronika Jenke, Independent Scholar



Honor Book for Older Readers, 2010



Honor Book for Older Readers, 2010

“This novel by celebrated author Beverley Naidoo tells a serious story of colonialism in Kenya during the Mau Mau rebellion through the eyes of two boys, Mathew and Mugo; the embodiment of oppressor and oppressed respectively. Mathew is the grandson of British colonialists while Mugo is the grandson of Kikuyu farmers whose land was taken by the British government and sold to Mathew's grandfather at giveaway prices(33). Vivid, gripping descriptions catch readers' imagination and expand insight, allowing them to live the moment with the characters, their families and their everyday routines….” Reviewer: Jane Irungu, University of Kansas

Copyright Africa Access, 2009.



“City Boy takes readers into the inner life of a recently orphaned child and shows how family bonds still remain intact, despite neoliberal economic pressures faced by countries such as Malawi. The story's central theme doesn't come until the very of end the novel, but when it does, it opens a perspective on the lives of orphans and depicts how, as in the novel's central character, children can find ways of coping with loss, and in the process learn more about their world and the possibilities communal life facilitates….” Reviewer: Steve Sharra, Michigan State University



Great Book Chapter Book


“This is a delightful novel for teenagers. It is about Safia, a young Somali girl in Britain, whose life dramatically changes when her father, after a long absence, arrives from Somalia to be reunited with his wife, two sons, and daughter. …Overall, this book is a gem. Novels that explore the lives and emotions of teenage Muslim girls, let alone Somali teenage girls are still far and few between. From Somalia with Love not only represents such a novel, it is attractively produced, pedagogically sound, ethnographically largely accurate, and, most importantly, a great read. Moreover, given the historical importance of poetry in Somali culture, the author's choice of poetry as the instrument through which father and daughter connect is poignant and persuasive. I recommend it highly.” Reviewed by: Lidwien Kapteijns, Wellesley College



Great Book Chapter Book

“This is the story of two eleven-year old Somali boys living in a small orphanage in Kenya's Northern Frontier District (NFD). While one of them, Ismail, loves to read and dreams of further education, the other, Mukhtar, misses the life he led before the Somali civil war and especially the camels his father taught him to herd and value. Then something happens that makes both boys happy…. The book, written for children of the same age as (or a bit younger than) the protagonists, is based on an existing service the National Library of Kenya provides for areas surrounding the regional capital of Garissa. It celebrates the aspirations of both boys, putting his camel-herding skills to good use in the case of Mukhtar, while Ismail wants to read and study. It is written with sensitivity and has beautiful illustrations….” Reviewer: Lidwien Kapteijns Wellesley College University

.


Complete review http://www.africaaccessreview.org/aar/detail.aspx?r=2355

Great Picture Book


“Many student refugees have problems with the local U.S. population pronouncing family names. Williams focuses on this common frustration in My Name is Sangoel. After his father was killed in the long-term Sudanese civil war, he, his mother, and sister immigrate to the U.S. Among the many issues in the United States that Sangoel must deal is name calling and malicious jokes. He is particularly sensitive to the pronunciation of his name since his dignity rests with his name. At school, he cleverly creates a way for the students and teachers to pronounce his Dinka name with some accuracy….” Reviewer: Patricia Kuntz, Madison Wisconsin

Copyright 2009 Multicultural Review

Great Picture Book

“….Mallam's spare story, coupled with her lovely illustrations, sparks the reader's imagination and rouses their curiosity about history, human development, and the beginning of time. Since her story transcends continents and cultures, it emphasizes human commonality. This theme continues with the sexes: Dende Maro is male, and the original shape that eventually becomes all shapes is female. Therefore, Dende Maro presents a balanced male/female worldview, with the female being responsible for existence in general and the male acting as a guide for humans.” Reviewed by: Joyce M. Youmans, Independent Scholar

Copyright © 2009 by Africa Access


Great Picture Book

caba highly recommended 2010

Education