Journey of Hope Fall 2015 | Page 55

1 them walk in their shoes through the pages of books. The books below offer a glimpse into the lives of children striving to fulfill their dreams of attaining an education. Walking in their footsteps other children can learn a great deal, and provide a helping hand. Nasreen’s Secret “Nasreen’s Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan”, by Jeanette Winter (Ages 8+) When Nasreen’s parents are removed from their home by the Taliban soldiers, her life is turned upside down. Because they forbid girls to get an education, a neighbor opens a secret school for girls. Based on a true story, and set in contemporary times, this story highlights the struggle for freedom that some children face today. Beatrice’s Goat “Beatrice’s Goat”, by Page McBrier (Ages 4-9) In a small Ugandan village, a little girl desperately wants to go to school. When a fat, new goat is given to their family, they have milk to drink and sell, and later sell one of the goat’s kids. Soon the family has enough money to send the children to school and build a stronger house. Based on a true story of a family who received a goat from Heifer International, this story is a heart-warming reminder that not everyone has equal access to education. “Yasmin’s Hammer”, by Ann Malaspina 2010. (Grades 1-5) Yasmin and her sister spend their days working hard in the brickyards to help make money for their family. Yasmin dreams of going to school so that she can have a better life (“… I don’t want to sweep a rich lady’s floor”), and decides to take action herself to help her dream come true. Ruby’s Wish “Ruby’s Wish”, by Shirin Yim Bridges (Ages 4-8) Set at the turn of the century in China, little Ruby has an unthinkable dream: she is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. The last page of the book reveals that it is based on the true story of the author’s grandmother, with a photograph of her at university. I was incredibly moved by this story, and believe the age level should be age 4 through adult! THE RED PENCIL “The Red Pencil”, by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Ages 9 and up) Twelve-year-old Amira has a wonderful life in a small farming village in Darfur, Sudan. The poems give us glimpses of her life, their traditions, her chores, and a dust storm that passes through. One day the Janjaweed, “evil men on horseback,” attack and her family has to flee, ultimately living in a refugee camp. The second part of the book describes her new life in the refugee camp and her journey toward healing. A relief worker gives Amira a red pencil, which helps her work towards recovery and keeps her dream alive that one day she’ll be able to go to school. I Am Malala “I Am Malala”, by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Ages 10 and up) Malala Yousafzai was only ten years old when the Taliban took control of her region. They said music was a crime. They said women weren’t allowed to go to the market. They said girls couldn’t go to school. Raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan transformed by terrorism, Malala was taught to stand up for what she believes. So she fought for her right to be educated. And on October 9, 2012, she nearly lost her life for the cause: She was shot point-blank while riding the bus on her way home from school. Now Malala is an international symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest-eve