Outbreak: Plagues that Changed History

Bryan Barnard, author. 614.4 BAR

Although the H1N1 virus isn't included, this is a timely and interesting read. Discover how we have been affected by deadly viruses over time and determine for yourselves if we have reacted appropriately as a society.

Chanda’s Wars by Allan Stratton

YA (Grades 8-12) PB Gold STR

The sequel to Chanda’s Secret (also in our library) is set in a fictional African country and revolves around Chanda Kabele, a young woman orphaned by AIDS who is the sole caregiver for Soly and Iris, her young brother and sister. Horrors of civil war are all around them and rebel attacks loom over them. When the ruthless General Mandiki crosses into the country, he and his men kill indiscriminately and capture all the children in their path, including Iris and Soly. The account of Chanda's tracking the children through the bush is intriguing and the brutality she witnesses is horrendous. The behaviour of the rebels and the traumas of the child soldiers are graphic and disturbing. Readers will wonder if these children can ever recover from what they have seen, what they have done.
Familiarity with the previous book isn't necessary as enough detail is given that Chanda’s Wars can be read on its own.

Nation by Terry Pratchett

PRA Grades 7-12

A tidal wave wipes out the population of a small island—except for Mau, who was paddling his dugout canoe home from another island. His family, his entire community and his simple happy life are gone. Mau struggles with his beliefs about his gods and how they, if they exist, could allow this devastation to happen. Before long, he finds that he is not alone; Daphne, a young royal and pampered English girl is shipwrecked on the island. Because it is a matter of survival, Mau and Daphne learn to communicate and to survive. They and their island become a haven for more “refugees” of the storm.

In this delightful and insightful novel, the author uses slapstick humour, action, plenty of villains, ghosts and gun battles to develop serious subjects and questions and to draw readers into the story.
Check out the seven other titles our library has by this author.

Trial of widgets

This is a map widget for Culturegrams. We are trying to see if it works.

A new gadget to try

Try vocaroo.com and have fun sending messages to your friends or posting them to your blog or wiki.