Synergy: Africa

Africa is the world’s second-largest continent covering 20% of the Earth’s land area. With the world’s youngest population, it accounts for 16% of the world’s population. Its human history can be traced back at least 200,000 years. Recorded history arose in Ancient Egypt and later in Nubia, the Sahel, the Maghreb, and the Horn of Africa.

Read the recently published nonfiction history for youth then learn more at the website.

AFRICAN ICONS by Tracey Baptiste tells the story of ten people who shaped African history. From ancient civilizations to the sixteenth century, each profile represents a key individual who made a unique contribution. Each short chapter begins with a full-color portrait, then shares the fascinating true story of a visionary leader or thinker. A map identifies the location of each story, provides a timeline of regions, and features key innovations.

AFRICA’S GREAT CIVILIZATIONS is a PBS series exploring the history of Africa. Featuring Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the six hour series examines two hundred thousand years of history.

To visit the website, go to https://to.pbs.org/3CBvhAA.

ARC courtesy of Algonquin Young Readers, an imprint of Workman.

Book Review: Illegal

ILLEGAL by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin is a graphic novel examining a child refugee’s struggle to survive.

Alternating between past and present, this full-color graphic novel follows the quest of a Ghanaian refugee trying to reconnect with his siblings in Europe. As the fast-paced story unfolds, young readers are exposed to the horrific realities of crossing hostile borders and trying to survive in unbearable conditions.

Don’t miss the backmatter that effectively connects the fictional story to the real lives of refugees.

Librarians will find this middle grade book to be an excellent addition to the library’s growing collection of books about refugees. Feature it in a display exploring immigration issues. Work with English and social studies teachers to build an interdisciplinary unit weaving in this timely title.

Published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky on August 7, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book: Alpha - Abidjan to Paris

ALPHA: ABIDJAN TO PARIS by Bessora is a heart-wrenching graphic novel tracing a migrant’s experience from Africa to Europe.

The stark, simple illustrations and informal typography reflect the painful plight of a West African refugee struggling to reach Paris. In hopes of connecting with his wife and child, this poor cabinetmaker sells everything and navigates the underworld of fake passports, refugee camps, and smugglers in hopes of a better life. The author’s first-person perspective places readers at the center of this troubling, yet realistic story.

Librarians will find young adults drawn to this powerful graphic novel. Use the book as an opportunity to talk with youth about the work of Amnesty International. Connect readers to works of nonfiction and websites focusing on the challenges of the migrant crisis.

Published by Bellevue Literary Press. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Data Africa

DATA AFRICA is an open source agriculture, climate, poverty, and health visualization engine.

Students use the interactive map to click on an African country or search by location. For each country, data is provided about agriculture, climate, health, and poverty. In addition, an introduction provides an overview of the country and its challenges.

Librarians will find this to be a useful resource for students working on research projects associated with countries in Africa. The visualizations will appeal to special needs and reluctant learners.

To visit the website, go to https://dataafrica.io/.

Website Review: Tracking Ivory

TRACKING IVORY from National Geographic explores the human toll of ivory poaching in Africa.

This web resource is divided into three sections: gallery, map, and article. The gallery presents a series of photographs narrated by a National Geographic journalist. The map section provides an interactive series of visuals showing the smuggling routes and locations of the illegal ivory trade. Finally, a ten-part article explores how the ivory trade finances ongoing conflict in Africa.

Librarians will find this well-researched and highly visual website to be useful in informational reading activities in social studies.

To explore this resource, go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tracking-ivory/.

Website Review: Mawah

MAWAH: WHEN EBOLA CAME TO OUR VILLAGE is an amazing, interactive storytelling experience.

This true story is told in ten engaging chapters. The experience begins in the summer of 2014 with a prologue explaining the beginnings of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Then, readers work their way through ten, interactive chapters featuring a narrative along with background information, videos, photographs, infographics, and links to additional information.

The subdued watercolor illustrations weave the narrative together in this ground-breaking approach to nonfiction storytelling.

Librarians will find this online experience to be an excellent way to introduce high school students to both the science and social issues associated with Ebola. The mixture of the compelling narrative with the informational segments will attract many students to this important and timely topic.

To visit the website, go to http://www.mawahtale.com.

Book Review: Rise of the Lioness

RISE OF THE LIONESS by Bradley Hague tells the true story of the decline of predators, the last lioness, and hopes for ecosystem renewal in West Zambia.

This work of nonfiction is organized into five chapters exploring the collapse and rebuilding of lions in Liuwa Plain National Park. The book begins with an exploration of life in the African plains. Next, readers explore the decline of the predator population as a result of animal conflict, human war, and other causes. Next, the book describes the plans for restoration and the rebuilding process. The lioness known as the Lady of Liuwa serves as an example of the struggles experienced by the lion population during this process. The book concludes with an afterword, glossary, and index.

Librarians will find this book popular among middle grade students who enjoy animals particularly lions, along with those interested in wildlife conservation. This book would be an excellent way to introduce students to the ecosystems and the interconnected lives of plants, animals, and humans in a healthy environment.

Published by National Geographic on September 13, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer tells the inspiring story of a young African boy who turned junkyard scraps into a working windmill to generate electricity for his family’s impoverished farm in Malawi.

This Young Readers Edition of Kamkwamba’s well-known adult memoir published in 2009 is likely to spark the scientific interests and imagination of middle-grade students. Readers are gradually drawn into William’s life in his small, rural African village. American children will be amazed at the lack of education and technology available to young William. They will also be moved by his determination and initiative.

While most middle-grade readers aren’t likely to pick up this book on their own, this compelling memoir would be a wonderful opportunity for librarians to collaborate with classroom teachers. Consider using this book as an interdisciplinary, whole-grade reading experience connecting language arts, social studies, and science curriculum.

Readers will enjoy watching the author’s 2009 TED talk at http://goo.gl/ADIHtg.

Be sure to explore the Moving Windmills project at http://www.movingwindmills.org/.

Published by Dial Books for Young Readers, Penguin Young Readers Group. ARC provided by publisher.