Africa, Cultural Atlas for Young People  •  Jocelyn Murray CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2007 •  HARD COVER  • 96 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A fully illustrated overview of African culture and history by anthropologist Jocelyn Murray (who also wrote the adult version of this book). It covers broad historical and cultural themes and includes a two-page spread on each region throughout the continent. With lots of maps and color photos. Highly recommended as an introduction to all Africa. (AFR58, $35.00)
Ashanti to Zulu, African Traditions  •  Leo Dillon  •  Diane Dillon  •  Margaret Musgrove CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1980 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A full-color introduction to 26 different African cultures, arranged from A to Z. Intended for kids ages 9-12, this classic won the Dillons their second Caldecott Medal for best illustration in a children's book. (AFR73, $6.99)
The Day Gogo Went to Vote  •  Elinor Batezat Sisulu LITERATURE •  1999 •  PAPER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A richly illustrated, inspiring book about Thembi, a young boy, and his great-grandmother Gogo. When black South Africans are given the right to vote, Thembi goes with Gogo to vote for the first time in her life (SAF212, $6.99)
Elephant (Eyewitness Books)  •  Ian Redmond  •  Dave King NATURAL HISTORY •  2000 •  HARD COVER  • 63 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A vivid introduction to the elephant, in the colorful Eyewitness visual style. With plenty of background on the natural history of the elephant, including description of its behavior and social habits. Geared for children ages 9-12. (BST44, $15.99)
The Eye, the Ear and the Arm  •  Nancy Farmer LITERATURE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 311 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A Newbery Honor award winning book set in Harare in the year 2194. Nancy Farmer employs elements of Shona mythology in this futuristic tale about three children who chafe under military rule. (ZIM10, $6.99)
Eyewitness Africa  •  Yvonne Ayo CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1995 •  HARD COVER • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A thoroughly illustrated overview of traditional ways of life throughout Africa in the highly visual Eyewitness series. Each two-page spread is devoted to a specific aspect of African life, such as home-building, medicine and religion. Geared for children ages 9-12. (AFR59, $15.99)
A Girl Named Disaster  •  Nancy Farmer LITERATURE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 309 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A gripping introduction to Zimbabwe, the Shona people and their ideas about the spirit world. To save her village from a cholera epidemic, 11-year-old Nhamo must consent to marry a stranger. With her wedding day approaching, Nhamo flees her native Mozambique and embarks on a year-long odyssey to Zimbabwe -- a journey fraught with danger from wild animals and malevolent spirits. This rich, rewarding young-adult novel was a Newbery Honor book. (ZIM09, $7.99)
The Heaven Shop  •  Deborah Ellis LITERATURE •  2008 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS Binti, a child radio star in Malawi, is confronted with the terrible truth that her parents have died of AIDS. Sent to live with cruel relatives, she sets out to find a beloved lost brother. This award-winning book is an optimistic tale of hope and survival, but it is also an exellent introduction to the realities of the African AIDS pandemic. (SAF177, $11.95)
Jamela's Dress  •  Niki Daly LITERATURE •  2004 •  PAPER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Daly, a native South African, illustrates his tale of a mother and daughter with marvelous watercolor, warm tones and local atmosphere. When Jamela's mother buys some beautiful fabric, Jamela can't resist playing dress-up and walking around town. Ages 3-6. (SAF214, $6.95)
Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, An African Tale  •  John Steptoe CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1987 •  HARD COVER  • 32 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A traditional Shona folktale from Zimbabwe as adapted and illustrated for younger readers, ages 4-8. Akin to Cinderella, it's the story of two daughters, one selfish and cruel, the other thoughtful, and their fate. The handsome illustrations by the Brooklyn-born author were inspired by the stone palaces, towers and buildings of Great Zimbabwe, the ancient Shona city. A Caldecott Award-winner. (SAF114, $16.99)
Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales  •  Nelson Mandela LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 144 PAGES • FAMILY A wide-ranging collection of tales from all over the continent, the majority traditional folktales from Southern Africa. With handsome full-color illustrations throughout, a map, and notes on contributors. A team of expert folklorists, poets and authors transcribe the tales, each selected by Mandela. (AFR135, $16.95)
Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope  •  Beverley Naidoo LITERATURE •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 160 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A collection of stories about children growing up in apartheid South Africa, all set during the last 50 years. Naidoo has written a series of books for young adults, all taking place in South Africa. (SAF173, $16.99)
Safari in South Africa, Adventures of Riley  •  Amanda Lumry  •  Laura Hurwitz NATURAL HISTORY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 36 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) Riley has been invited to join his Uncle Max, a world-renowned biologist, his Aunt Martha and his Cousin Alice on an incredible South African safari to study predator and prey relationships. Accompanied by local guides, they encounter cheetahs, lions, elephants, baboons, giraffes and a rare black rhino recently wounded by a poacher! (SAF206, $16.99)
Somehow Tenderness Survives: Stories of Southern Africa  •  Hazel Rochman ANTHOLOGY •  1990 •  PAPER  • 208 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A collection of ten short stories about growing up under apartheid from a diverse group of writers including Nadine Gordimer, Mark Mathaban, Doris Lessing, as well as lesser known South African writers. A good choice for high-schoolers. (SAF174, $6.99)
The White Giraffe  •  Lauren St. John LITERATURE •  2007 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) After a family tragedy, Martine has to go live with her grandmother in South Africa on a wildlife game preserve. Everyone denies the rumors of a white giraffe, but soon myth and magic begin mixing with reality, and Martine must use all her courage and intelligence to save her new home. (SAF182, $6.99)
The Year the Gypsies Came  •  Linzi Glass LITERATURE •  2006 •  HARD COVER  • 260 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS Set in 1960s Johannesburg, this young adult novel tells the story of a white girl whose priveleged life is shaken by the arrival of a wandering family into her home and the arrest of a good friend at the hands of the apartheid regime. (SAF172, $16.95)