2022 Harmony Day Books
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/647196/born-behind-bars-by-padma-venkatraman/9780593112472
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A gripping novel set in Chennai, India, featuring a boy who's unexpectedly released into the world after spending his whole life in jail with his mom.
Kabir has been in jail since the day he was born, because his mom is serving time for a crime she didn't commit. He's never met his dad, so the only family he's got are their cellmates, and the only place he feels the least bit free is in the classroom, where his kind teacher regales him with stories of the wonders of the outside world. Then one day a new warden arrives and announces Kabir is too old to stay. He gets handed over to a long-lost "uncle" who unfortunately turns out to be a fraud, and intends to sell Kabir. So Kabir does the only thing he can--run away as fast as his legs will take him. How does a boy with nowhere to go and no connections make his way? Fortunately, he befriends Rani, another street kid, and she takes him under her wing. But plotting their next move is hard--and fraught with danger--in a world that cares little for homeless, low caste children. This is not the world Kabir dreamed of--but he's discovered he's not the type to give up. Kabir is ready to show the world that he--and his mother--deserve a place in it. |
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/My-Name-Is-Bana/Bana-Alabed/9781534412484
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A poignant picture book memoir from Bana Alabed, the seven-year-old Syrian girl from Aleppo whose messages to the world have turned her into a global symbol and advocate for refugee rights.
When seven-year-old Bana Alabed took to Twitter to describe the horrors she and her family were experiencing in war-torn Syria, her heartrending messages touched the world and gave a voice to millions of innocent children. Written in Bana’s own words, this picture book offers a uniquely intimate child’s perspective on one of the biggest humanitarian crises in history. Bana has lost her best friend, her school, her home, and her homeland. But she has not lost her hope—for herself and for other children around the world who are victims and refugees of war and deserve better lives. |
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This hopeful story of a resilient tree that grew (and still grows) at the base of the twin towers is a simple introduction for young readers to gain an understanding of September 11th and the impact it had on America.
One September day, the perfect blue sky exploded. Dust billowed. Buildings crumbled. And underneath it all, a tree sprouted green leaves in its distress. Pulled from the wreckage, the tree saw many seasons pass as it slowly recovered far away from home. Until one day, forever scarred and forever stronger, it was replanted at the 9/11 Memorial. This story of the real Survivor Tree uses nature's cycle of colors to reflect on the hope and healing that come after a tragedy—and assures readers of their own remarkable resilience. |
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In 2010, the al Rabeeah family left their home in Iraq in hope of a safer life. They moved to Homs, in Syria ? just before the Syrian civil war broke out.
Abu Bakr, one of eight children, was ten years old when the violence began on the streets around him: car bombings, attacks on his mosque and school, firebombs late at night. Homes tells of the strange juxtapositions of growing up in a war zone: horrific, unimaginable events punctuated by normalcy ? soccer, cousins, video games, friends. Homes is the remarkable true story of how a young boy emerged from a war zone with a passion for sharing his story and telling the world what is truly happening in Syria. As told to her by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah, writer Winnie Yeung has crafted a heartbreaking, hopeful, and urgently necessary book that provides a window into understanding Syria. |
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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” asked the mole.
“Kind,” said the boy. Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book, following the tale of a curious boy, a greedy mole, a wary fox and a wise horse who find themselves together in sometimes difficult terrain, sharing their greatest fears and biggest discoveries about vulnerability, kindness, hope, friendship and love. The shared adventures and important conversations between the four friends are full of life lessons that have connected with readers of all ages. |
2021 Harmony Day Books
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THE LITTLE GIRL by H.P. Fraser The Little Girl has arrived at a new place, a new world. It is both beautiful and scary; friendly and cruel. She must learn so many new things; how to draw, read and print. Though she works very hard, will it be good enough? |
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RACISM AND INTOLERANCE by Louise Spilsbury Racism, Prejudice and Intolerance. Sometimes we hear words in the news and it's hard to understand what they mean and how they affect us. Using beautiful artwork and clear explanations, Racism and Intolerance answers our questions and offers reassurance for our concerns about these issues. |
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ANTIRACIST BABY by Ibram X. Kendi Antiracist baby is bred, not born. Antiracist baby is raised to make society transform. Antiracist baby: 1. Celebrates all our differences. 2. Uses words to talk about racism. 3. Understands that people aren’t the problem - policies are. |
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THIS BOOK IS ANTI-RACIST - 20 LESSONS ON HOW TO WAKE UP, TAKE ACTION, AND DO THE WORK by Tiffany Jewell Who are you? What is your identity? How can you take action against racism? Learn about identities, true histories, and anti-racism work in 20 carefully laid-out chapters. This book is written so young people will feel empowered to stand up to the adults in their lives. This book will give them the language and ability to understand racism and a drive to undo it. In short, this book is for everyone. |
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COUNT ME IN by Varsha Bajaj The story of a young Indian American seventh-grader who sees the effects of racism in her own life and battles prejudice in her community. When Karina’s beloved grandfather is attacked by a racist who tells him to “go home,” Karina knows that she can’t stay quiet. She uses her voice - and her friends - to tell the world that communities are better when they’re diverse and united. |
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STAMPED- RACISM, ANTIRACISM, AND YOU by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi The thief known as racism is all around. The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. Racist ideas are woven into the fabric of this country, and the first step to building an antiracist America is acknowledging America’s past and present. This book takes you on that journey, showing how racist ideas started and were spread, and how they can be discredited. |
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ALL AMERICAN BOYS by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely A young adult novel that looks at a specific instance of police brutality from the perspectives of two high school classmates: Rashas, who is savagely beaten by a local policeman who (wrongly) suspects him of shoplifting and assaulting a white woman, and Quinn, who sees the beating and initially pretends he didn’t. It’s a fictional reflection of real-life police encounters with young black men that ended badly. |
2020 Harmony Day Books
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US YOO – THE BEAR'S MEDICINE by Clayton Gauthier is a story of a mother bear who shares with her cubs how to be grateful for all they have in the natural world. The Bear's Medicine shows the interconnectedness of all things in the world they live in and how each season brings changes and blessings for the bears. It is a story of a mother's love for her children as she teaches them how to survive.
Written in English and Dakelh. Given to all schools in the district. THE QUILTMAKER'S GIFT by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken is a story of generosity. It raises the philosophical question of what it is to be generous, whether that involves the giving of material wealth alone, or simply of giving another being happiness, comfort, or peace. The Quiltmaker spends all of her time making quilts only to give them away. The King meets the Quiltmaker in a search for the one thing that will finally make him happy. When the generous quiltmaker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.
Given to Elementary schools in the district. LAST STOP ON MARKET STREET by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. Every Sunday after church, CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town. But today, CJ wonders why they don't own a car like his friend Colby. Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Each question is met with an encouraging answer from grandma, who helps him see the beauty—and fun—in their routine and the world around them. This children's book won the 2016 Newbery Medal, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor and a Caldecott Honor.
Given to Elementary schools in the district. HAVE YOU SEEN LUIS VELEZ? By Catherine Ryan Hyde brings heartwarming authenticity to the story of two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear.
Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn’t belong. Not with his mother’s new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father’s wife. Not at school, where he’s an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he’s tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who’s introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez? Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there’s hope if you have someone to hold on to. Given to all Middle and Secondary schools in the district. |
2019 Harmony Day Books
Be Who You Are - Todd Parr
Be who you are! Be proud of where you're from. Be a different color. Speak your language. Wear everything you need to be you. Who better than Todd Parr to remind kids that their unique traits are what make them so special? With his signature silly and accessible style, Parr encourages readers to embrace all their unique qualities. |
The Eagle's Path - Michelle Corneau
Anna explores what it means to be Mohawk, her own identity and the identity of others as she learns to follow the Eagle’s path. She learns how her culture has taught many generations to value honesty, wisdom and courage in their day-to-day lives. Anna also learns about two-spirit people when her best friend tells her that she likes other girls. This revelation leaves her full of questions, and with support from her wise and loving mother, she understands the value in accepting everyone for who they are. |
He Who Dreams - Melanie Florence
Juggling soccer, school, friends and family leaves John with little time for anything else. When he attends a pow wow and witnesses a powerful performance, he realizes that he wants to be a dancer more than anything. But the nearest class for boys is at the Native Cultural Center in the city, and he still hasn't told his family or friends about his new passion. If he wants to dance, he will have to stop hiding. Between the mocking of his teammates and the hostility of the boys in his dance class, John must find a way to balance and embrace both the Irish and Cree sides of his heritage. |
Amina's Voice - 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 the 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, she is devastated when her local mosque is vandalized. |
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Refugee - Alan Gratz
Three different kids. One mission in common: ESCAPE. Josef is a Jewish boy in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the threat of concentration camps looming, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world… Isabel is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety and freedom in America… Mahmoud is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe… |
2018 Harmony Day Books
I Have the Right to Be a Child - Alain Serres
With a very simple text accompanied by rich, vibrant illustrations a young narrator describes what it means to be a child with rights -- from the right to food, water and shelter, to the right to go to school, to be free from violence, to breathe clean air, and more. |
My Beautiful Birds - Suzanne Del Rizzo
A gentle yet moving story of refugees of the Syrian civil war, My Beautiful Birds illuminates the ongoing crisis as it affects its children. It shows the reality of the refugee camps, where people attempt to pick up their lives and carry on, and it reveals the hope of generations of people as they struggle to redefine home. |
Embers - Richard Wagamese
In this carefully curated selection of everyday reflections, Richard Wagamese finds lessons in both the mundane and sublime as he muses on the universe, drawing inspiration from working in the bush sawing and cutting and stacking wood for winter as well as the smudge ceremony to bring him closer to the Creator. Embers is perhaps Richard Wagamese's most personal volume to date. |
Previous Harmony Day Books
