At Home in a Faraway Place by Lynne Rae Perkins

I asked for a preview copy of AT HOME IN A FARAWAY PLACE by Lynne Rae Perkins because I had SO enjoyed her very creative (and award-winning) book for children titled Criss Cross. This time, she is telling the story of Lissie who travels with her father and grandmother to Guatemala to visit her father’s friends. Perkins charmingly presents tales of their adventures while introducing roughly 100 Spanish words and phrases often illustrated, spelled phonetically, and listed together in a five-page glossary. Lissie experiences a new environment (living in sight of volcanos - los volcáns), new foods (like las empanadas), and familiar games (Simon says … Simón dice), even spending part of a tarde (afternoon) playing with a pelota (ball). I have been learning Spanish for about eighteen months and enjoyed reading as I came across both familiar and new vocabulary. This is a very sweet friendship tale filled with playful black and white drawings and Perkins says, “I love hearing stories about a life in some ways quite unlike my own, but in other ways, important ways, very much the same.” I concur; AT HOME IN A FARAWAY PLACE is a wonderful introduction to a language and the concept of how we are different and yet so similar, a truly significant idea to share with children.

Similar authors to Lynne Rae Perkins that students may have already discovered include Rebecca Stead (Goodbye Stranger) or Jordan Sonnenblick (Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie) or Wendy Mass (A Mango-Shaped Space) or Jerry Spinelli (Stargirl) or even some works by Carl Hiaasen (Hoot or Flush). Age-specific state awards (like Rebecca Caudill in Illinois) list numerous quality titles each year; another wonderful resource – covering multiple states and ages and compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith – is provided here. 

Lincoln Award - Illinois Teen Readers' Choice

Online voting is underway through mid-March for the 2021 Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award. Each year, we publish a libguide with information on the nominees; here is the link for the 2021 nominees.  AND the 2022 list has just been released. Taking this opportunity to comment on a couple of the newer titles:

WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by Jenny Torres Sanchez is an absolutely stunning read which received multiple starred reviews and numerous accolades, including being named a Pura Belpré 2021 Young Adult Author Honor Book. The action-packed story focuses on the lives of three young people who are fleeing Guatemala.  As they follow the infamous train known as La Bestia north through Mexico, Pulga, Chico, and Pequena face a dangerous, brutally difficult journey. Kirkus describes WE ARE NOT FROM HERE as “a gripping, heart-wrenching, and thrilling tale of survival.” The short chapters will keep students reading and relevance to current headlines will further enrich discussions.

One of the selections from the student nominated committee for the Lincoln Award, PUNCHING THE AIR by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam is an #OwnVoices novel told in verse, like this:

On the day of my conviction

I memorize

              my inmate number

              my crime

              my time

              On the day of my conviction

              I forget

              my school ID number

 my top three colleges

 my class schedule

Amal’s wrongful conviction and incarceration are eloquently described by Zoboi (American Street) and prison reform activist Salaam. The unjust treatment, physical intimidation, and solitary confinement drive the rage, confusion, and deep sadness which Amal feels. His art – painting and poetry – provide an outlet in this powerful, thought-provoking work which highlights the school-to-prison pipeline and other issues of systemic injustice. Reminiscent of earlier books by Walter Dean Myers (Monster) or Paul Volponi (Black and White), PUNCHING THE AIR received universal starred reviews (Kirkus: “a must-read”) and is recommended especially for fans of Jason Reynolds and Elizabeth Acevedo.