iRead features the best ebooks and eaudiobooks for children and teens curated by the Children's Room and Teen Center staff.
This week, check out some of the best titles from the 2020-2021 SC Book Award Nominee lists.
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
available as an ebook and audiobook through Overdrive
Amal is a bright,12-year-old Pakistani girl who is devoted to her family and friends. As the oldest child, she is responsible for helping care for her younger sisters as her mother prepares for a new baby. Amal loves books, school and her teacher. She even dreams of going to college and becoming a teacher herself one day. At times, she gets into trouble for speaking her mind, but this time she has disrespected the son of the family who rules her village.
As punishment for her disrespect and for the accrued debts of her father, the Khans, the village’s ruling family, have commanded Amal to live with them as their servant. The cruel son of the Khans is often abusive and unkind to her. As Amal figures out servant life, she also hears details of crimes committed by the Khan family. She finds the strength to share the Khan family crimes with a teacher at the Khan’s local literacy center, whom she has grown to trust.
Amal is a tough, sensitive and caring young girl, whose strength and heart get her through the most trying time of her life. Truth telling gets her into trouble, but it also helps her help herself and others regain their freedom.
Recommended by Anne Clifton-Katz | Children's Room Associate
Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent award, the William C. Morris Debut Author award, and a Newbery Honor book, Genesis Begins Again is a powerful and sensitive look at internal racism and family dynamics, full of heart, depth, and tenderness.
Thirteen-year-old Genesis hates 96 things about herself. She keeps a list. The two main things she hates are the darkness of her skin, and the fact that her family is repeatedly evicted from every home, due to her Dad’s gambling and alcohol addiction. Her verbally abusive father and her loving but strict grandmother point out how much easier and better life would be for her if she had lighter skin.
When she brings some girls home she’s anxious to befriend, they find that her family has been evicted. But then it seems her father has great news. He’s gotten a promotion, and takes them to a beautiful home he’s rented in an upscale neighborhood, which happens to be all white. She loves this home complete with a yard, her own bedroom, and windows without bars. She adjusts to the new school, makes a few friends, and is even singing in the school talent show, with mentoring from her school choral teacher. Life seems hopeful. But after only a few weeks she once again finds an eviction notice on their front door.
Genesis navigates the pain she experiences with a voice readers will not soon forget. Her depth of feeling, and courage, coupled with her self-discovery and nuanced choices, remind us all what is most important about humanity. An important and unforgettable story.
Recommended by Leslie Tetreault | Children and Teen Department Manager
Twelve-year-old Bluebelle (Belle) Martin moves to the vast lands of Colorado after her family loses their farm in Iowa. The land is free to any homesteader up for the challenge of creating farmland from the rough terrain. Homesteading is a new way of life for Belle—living in a sod house and killing rattlesnakes. Strong-willed Belle is determined to make it in this hardscrabble life and conquer any challenge thrown her way.
Recommended by Emily Johansson | Children's Room Reading Specialist
17 year-old Alice has always been chased by bad luck. After the death of her mysterious grandmother, a reclusive writer of fairy tales, Alice hopes that the curse will end and her life will begin to settle down. But the bad luck has found her again, and has taken what means the most to her – her mother. In this dark fantasy adventure, Alice has to unravel the truth about her family and the bridges between worlds to end the bad luck once and for all.
Recommended by Jennifer Naimzadeh | Teen Center Manager
Hey, Kiddo is a graphic novel memoir about growing up with a family impacted by addiction. Jarrett is raised by his grandparents after his mother can no longer care for him due to addiction. He learns to express himself through art and dreams of being a comic creator. This timely and important topic will resonate with many readers.
From the creator of the Lunch Lady series and winner of the 2020 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook production.
Recommended by Alison Berry | Teen Center Associate
Download and start reading (or listening to) these great titles today.
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