Youth's Books

Reading Program 2003

Education For Mission

HOMELESS BIRD
Harper Collins Publishers, 2000 216 pages
Gloria Whelan #3333/$5.95

Married and quickly widowed at age 13, Koly, a girl living in India, finds herself cast out by society. Through perseverance and resourcefulness, she manages to find not only a niche for herself, but happiness.

Nurturing For Community

GOING HOME
Penguin Putnam, 1999 192 pages
Nicholasa Mohr #3328/$6.00

This book follows a young woman’s return to her family’s place of origin and her challenges while trying to fit into the new environment. During her summer in Puerto Rico, Felita learns about understanding and communicating with the older members of her family, to be proud of her heritage, and how to work peaceably with others.

WHAT ARE YOU? VOICES OF MIXED-RACE YOUNG PEOPLE
Henry Holt & Co., 1999 273 pages
Pearl Fuyo Gaskins Hardcover/#3378/$15.00

This book is the result of the author’s years of interviews with 80 young people of mixed race. In their words -- which are at times angry, funny and insightful –- these young people address issues such as dating, family life, prejudice and identity struggles. They celebrate the hope and possibility that come from living life in multiple colors and multiple cultures.

Social Action

BLACK ANGELS
Random House, 2001 163 pages
Rita Murphy #3304/$5.00

Over a summer, 11-year-old Celli Jenkins experiences conflicting emotions and struggles to accept her life as her family’s housekeeper becomes involved in the black community’s fight for equality. Surprising information from her paternal grandmother changes the way Celli looks at life, color, faith and family.

SOULCATCHER AND OTHER STORIES:TWELVE POWERFUL TALES ABOUT SLAVERY
Harcourt, Inc., 1998 110 pages
Charles Johnson #3364/$12.00

Twelve short stories illuminate slavery’s effect and experiences with realism, power and emotion. This book is a good introduction to U.S. history.

Spiritual Growth

THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND
Bethany House, 2000 167 pages
Lois Walfrid Johnson #3370/$8.00

This child-friendly devotional book features short, fictional stories from a Christian perspective that portray children with real-life questions about relationships. It can be used for family devotions, Sunday-school classes and children’s personal quiet time.

YOUTH STUDY: JAMES: FAITH WORKS
General Board of Global Ministries, 2002 48 pages
Mary Beth Coudal #3196/$4.75

Jamie, a contemporary young person, meets James, the biblical writer, in an imaginative setting that introduces key biblical themes and current issues. The book includes suggestions for leaders and resource lists.