THINGS FALL APART
(Africa Trilogy #1) tells two overlapping, intertwining stories, both of which center around Okonkwo, a “strong man” of an Ibo village in Nigeria. (Goodreads.com) LEXILE: 890 The Secret Journey England, 1864: In a desperate attempt to rejoin her dying mother en route to treatment in Bordeaux, Emma dresses as a boy and stows away on the ship. But she discovers far too late that she has made a terrible mistake, as the vessel she boards is a slave ship headed for Africa piloted by a fearsome, tyrannical captain! (Sholastic.com) Lexile: 770 Listening for Lions
Thirteen-year-old Rachel Sheridan is left an orphan after influenza takes the lives of her missionary parents in British East Africa in 1919. When cruel neighbors take her in, Rachel suspects their intentions may not be honest. Soon, Rachel becomes entangled in a shocking and nefarious plot that takes her away from her beloved East Africa on a lonely and treacherous journey across the ocean. Surrounded by greed and lies, Rachel must rely on her irrepressible spirit and extraordinary wit to weather her incredible adventure. And somewhere along the way, between deception and hope, the truth sets Rachel free and Africa calls her home. National Book Award-winning author Gloria Whelan crafts a wickedly delicious story of treachery and triumph, in which one young woman must claim her true identity in order to forge her own future and transform herself from victim to heroine. (Sholastic.com) Lexile 990 |
No Longer at Ease
(Africa Trilogy #2) Obi Okonkwo is an idealistic young man who has now returned to Nigeria for a job in the civil service. However in his new role he finds that the way of government seems to be corruption. Obi manages to resist the bribes offered to him, but when he falls in love with an unsuitable girl, he sinks further into emotional and financial turmoil. (Goodreads.com) LEXILE: 890 Nelson Mandela
Long Walk to Freedom (non-fiction) Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, offers a glimpse into the mind of a great leader, admired across the globe for his dedication to the struggles against apartheid in South Africa. Now the youngest readers can discover the remarkable story of Mandela's long walk from ordinary village boy, to his dynamic leadership of the African National Congress, to his many long years in prison — and, at last, his freedom and astonishing rise to become the leader of his country. (Sholastic.com) Lexile: 840 Nelson Mandela (non-fiction) This biography of Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa, describes his childhood, education, family, and work as a civil rights leader. (Sholastic.com) Lexile: 990 |
Arrow of God
(The Africa Trilogy #3) Set in the Ibo heartland of eastern Nigeria, one of Africa's best-known writers describes the conflict between old and new in its most poignant aspect: the personal struggle between father and son. (Goodreads.com) LEXILE: 890 The Slave Dancer One day, thirteen-year-old Jessie Bollier is earning pennies playing his fife on the docks of New Orleans; the next, he is kidnapped and thrown aboard a slave ship, where his job is to provide music while shackled slaves "dance" to keep their muscles strong and their bodies profitable. As the endless voyage continues, Jessie grows increasingly sickened by the greed, brutality, and inhumanity of the slave trade, but nothing prepares him for the ultimate horror he will witness before his nightmare ends, a horror that will change his life forever. (Sholastic.com) Lexile: 970 No Turning Back Escaping from his violent stepfather, twelve-year-old Sipho heads for Johannesburg, where he has heard that gangs of children live on the streets. Surviving hunger and bitter-cold winter nights is hard'but learning when to trust in the ‘ new' South Africa proves even more difficult. No Turning Back appeared on the short list of both the Guardian and Smarties book prizes on the United Kingdom. (Sholastic.com) Lexile: 730 |
Text and Photo Sources: 1. Goodreads.com; 2. Sholastic.com; 3. Amazon.com; 4. Simonandschuster.com;