UW‐MADISON African Studies Book List · have chosen 25 countries from all the regions of the...

UW‐MADISONAfricanStudiesBookList

UpdatedMay2010

Title:AfricaisNotaCountryAuthor:MargyBurnsKnight&MarkMelnicove

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Primary/ElementaryYear:2000

Type:PicturebookIllustrations:illustrations,mapsDescription:AfricaisNotaCountryisperhapsthefirstpicture

bookabouttheAfricancontinenttorespectfullypresentthediversityofpeoplelivinginits53countries.Theseauthorshavecreatedabookthatexplicitlydescribesandillustratesthemulti‐

dimensionsofthecontinent.Theauthorsandillustratorsubsequentlyhavechosen25countriesfromalltheregionsofthecontinenttodepictitsdiversity.Aphysicalmapwithcurrentcountryandcapitalnamesandadescriptionofthecontinentfollows.They

beginwithEritrea,mostrecentlyindependent.Inaddition,theyfeatureoftenforgottenchildrenfromCapeVerde,Lesotho,Mauritania,andMadagascar.Moreover,itfocusesonchildren'sactivitiesandnotthoseofadults.TheappendixprovidesbasicinformationforeachAfricancountrytoenablechildrento

comparedata.

Title:TheAfricanMaskAuthor:JanetRupertLanguage:English

GradeLevel:MiddleschoolYear:1994

Type:NovelIllustrations:NoDescription:900yearsagointheYorubalandofpresent‐dayNigeria,

12‐year‐oldLayospendshertimeworkingonhercraftandhoningherskillsinpottery,agiftpassedontoherfromhergrandmother.However,inthistimeandplace,awomanmustadoptthecraftof

herhusband.Whensheisbetrothedtoabronzeworker,Layoworkshardtoprovethematchisapoorone.Rupert’sworkwithaYorubaanthropologistenrichesthetextwithmeaningfulaccountsofancient

Yorubacultureandlife.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:AfricanTales,OneWorld,OnePlanetAuthor:GcinaMhlophe

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Elementary/MiddleYear:2009

Type:FolktalesIllustrations:CollagesDescription:AfricanTalesisacollectionofeightfolktalesfromeight

differentAfricancountries:Namibia,Malawi,Lesotho,Swaziland,Senegal,Ghana,Sudan,andEthiopia.Thevolumestartswithafour‐pageintroductiontoAfrica,includingamapofthecontinent(which

helpswithlocatingthestories'countriesoforigin)andafewinterestingfacts.Eachstoryalsoiscontextualizedwithasimilartwo‐pageintroductiontothatcountry.Thestoriesinclude:WelcometoAfrica!‐‐MasiloandMasilonyana(Lesotho)‐‐Nolwandle,girlofthewaves(Namibia)‐‐Makosiandthe

magichorns(Malawi)‐‐Thegreathunter(Swaziland)‐‐Seawind(Senegal)‐‐Ananseandtheimpossiblequest(Ghana)‐‐Thestoryofthewisemother(Sudan)‐‐Everythingchanges,everythingpasses(Ethiopia).Boththeauthorandtheillustratorhaveaddedapersonalnoteatthebeginning,andalistof

sourcesforthecontinentandeachcountryappearsattheendofthecollection.

Title:Aida

Author:LeontynePriceLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Elementary/Middleschool

Year:1990Type:StorybookIllustrations:Yes

Description:Anexquisite,picturebookretellingofVerdi'sfamousoperaaboutanEthiopianprincesswhofallsinlovewithherEgyptiancaptor.Ittreatstheuniversalconceptsof

patriotism,love,andtheconflictofloyaltyinsimpleandbeautifullanguage.Theplotissowellconstructedand

presentedthat,inspiteofitsfamiliarity,thereisadesiretoreaditagainandagain.Herearetwo

personsfromtwowarringnations,patriotictothecoretotheirowncountriesandyetwillingtogiveuptheirlivesforthesakeoflove.Thethemetranscendsloveandbringstotheforethequestionsofdevotionandcouragewhicharesonecessaryforhumanexistence.Lavishlyillustratedwithcolorful

scenes,itisthekindofbookthatwillappealnotonlytochildrenofAfricandescentbuttoallhumanity.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:AtHerMajesty’sRequestAuthor:WalterDeanMyers

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:MiddleschoolYear:1999

Length:142pp.Type:BiographyIllustrations:Some

Description:WalterDeanMyersdiscoveredabodyoflettersconcerningSarahForbesBonetta,aprincessfromthe19thcenturykingdomofDahomey.Orphanedbywar,shewasrescuedbyaBritishnavalofficer

andtakentoEnglandwhereshebecameaprotégéeofQueenVictoriabeforemarryinganAfricanmissionary.

Title:AyaAuthor:MargaretAbouet

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:HighschoolYear:2007

Type:GraphicnovelIllustrations:YesDescription:19‐yearoldAyainCoted'Ivoireissmart,focusedwithher

eyeonmedicalschool.Herpartyanimalgirlfriendsthinksheistooserious.Willtheypullheroffthepathsheisfollowing?Thisgraphic

novelwillbeenjoyedbyolderteens.

Title:Baba’sGiftAuthor:BeverleyNaidoo&MayaNaidooLanguage:English

GradeLevel:PrimaryYear:2006Type:Storybook

Illustrations:YesDescription:InSouthAfrica,Lindiandherbrothergototheseawiththeirgrandmother,takingwiththemalittlewoodenboat

theirgrandfatherhasmade.Theyquicklymakeanewfriendandplaytogetherwiththeboatintheseaandthenhaveapicnic.Noonenoticestheseacreepinginuntilithastakentheirboataway.The


UpdatedMay2010

childrenareupsetbutfindaspecialshelltotakehomefortheirfathertomakeupforthelossoftheboathehadgiventhem.Hesayshecanalwaysmakeanotherboatbutthathecouldnevermake

anythingasbeautifulastheshell.

Title:BakingCakesinKigaliAuthor:GaileParkinLanguage:English

GradeLevel:HighSchool/TeachersYear:2009Type:Novel

Illustrations:NoneDescription:SetinaninternationalapartmentcomplexinRwanda,heroineAngelTungararzahasmovedfromTanzaniawithherhusband,

Pius,who'stakenajobatthelocaluniversity;beforelong,shedevelopsareputationasamasterfulbakerandasagaciousfriend.Thoughhauntedbythedeathsofhergrowndaughterandson,Angelplungesbackinto

motherhood,caringforherfivegrandchildren,tendingtoPius,bakingcakesanddispensingadvice.Meanwhile,thesourundercurrentsofAIDSandgenocideplayquietbutinstrumentalpartsinshapingAngel'sworld.

Title:Beatrice’sGoat

Author:PageMcBrierLanguage:English

GradeLevel:PrimaryYear:2004Type:Storybook

Illustrations:yesDescription:Beatrice'sGoatistheresultoftheHeiferProjectdirector'srequestforPageMcBrierandLoriLohstoetertocreate

achildren'sbook.InorderfortheauthorandillustratortocomprehendthelinkagesbetweenruralPerry,Arkansasand

Kisinga,Uganda,theytraveledtoUgandatodocumentthetruestoryofBeatriceandtheHeiferProject

goat.Beatrice'sgoat,Mugisa,hasbroughtmanynewthingstothefamily.ThestorydescribeshowthesaleofMugisa'smilkandtwokidsfinancedanewhouse,roof,furniture,andschoolingforBeatrice.Thesteadyincomefromthegoatenablesthefamilytobuymedicines,clothing,andneededsupplies.Soon

Beatrice'sfriendwillalsohaveagoat.Thebookillustratespositiveresultsofanon‐profitorganization;sincesomuchnewsfromUgandaisnegative,itisimportantforreaderstolearnthatUgandansareworkingtoimprovetheirlives.Thebookalsofocusesonchildren,theirschooling,andresponsibilities,

ratherthanonwhatadultsdotoorforchildren.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:TheBeduins’GazelleAuthor:FrancesNoltingTemple

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Middle/HighschoolYear:1998

Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:NoneDescription:FewbooksforadolescentsportrayIslamicculture.And

fewerbooksdescribethestrugglesofadolescentsofthefourteenthcenturyinNorthAfrica.Asthebookopens,AtiyahpreparestoleavethedesertlifeofsoutheasternBerberMoroccotostudyArabic,

jurisprudence,andIslamattheuniversityinFez.ThisperiodofintellectualinquiryamongtheArabsoccurredatatimewhen

Europeanswerelanguishingindisease,poverty,andwar.Despitehiseffortstostaywithhisextended

family,AtiyahmustbidhisbelovedcousinHalimafarewellasshewillremaininthevillagetolearndomesticactivities.Whilehisfamilycontinuestomovethroughthedesertwiththeirherdsofgoatsandcamels,Halimabecomeslostinasandstorm.Sheisfoundbymenofthefamily'srivalBeniShummarand

subsequentlybetrothedtotheirsheik.Atiyahmustfindherbeforetheimpendingweddingceremony.

Title:BoundlessGraceAuthor:MaryHoffman


Type:StorybookIllustrations:yesDescription:InthepicturebookAmazingGrace,childrenwere

introducedtoaspunkylittleAfricanAmericangirlnamedGrace.Inthissequel,shetravelstoGambia,WestAfricatovisitherfatherandhisnewfamily.Thisisasimplytoldstorywiththesubtlemessage

thatparentsshouldmaintainfamilybondsdespitedivorce.ThepivotalissueforGraceistheabsenceofherfather.Gracelivesina

warmextendedfamilywithamother,agrandmotherandacatcalledPaw‐Paw.Yet,asshetellsNana,

"Ourfamily'snotright.Weneedafatherandabrotherandadog."Attimes,Graceevendeniesthatshehasafather.AtriptoBanjul,GambiahelpsGracecometotermswithherfatherandunderstandthattherearemanytypesoffamilies.AttheconclusionofhertriptoGambia,sheresolvestofindbooks

aboutfamilieslikehersandwriteherownstory.TeacherswillhavetohelpstudentsseecommonaltiesbetweenGambiaandtheU.S.asGracefocusesonactivitiesandobjectsthataredifferentfromhome.


UpdatedMay2010

Teachersshouldencouragestudentstostudytheillustrationsforsimilarities(e.g.therearetrucks,sodas,telephones,anairport).TheGambiansettingisnotessentialtotheeventsinthestory.

Title:TheBiteoftheMango

Author:MariatuKamarawithSusanMcClellandLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Highschool

Year:2008Type:BiographyIllustrations:Maps

Description:AsachildinasmallruralvillageinSierraLeone,MariatuKamaralivedpeacefullysurroundedbyfamilyandfriends.Rumorsofrebelattackswerenomorethanadistantworry.But

when12‐year‐oldMariatusetoutforaneighboringvillage,sheneverarrived.Heavilyarmedrebelsoldiers,manynoolderthanchildrenthemselves,attackedandtorturedMariatu....Astoldtoher

byMariatu,journalistSusanMcClellandhaswrittentheheartbreakingtruestoryofthebrutalattackanditsaftermath...

Title:TheBoywhoHarnessedtheWind:CreatingCurrentsofElectricityandHope

Author:WilliamKamkwambeandBryanMeaterLanguage:English

GradeLevel:HighschoolYear:2009Type:Autobiography

Illustrations:PhotographsDescription:ThisautobiographicalworkshareshowanenterprisingteenagerfacingfamineinMalawibuildsawindmillfromscrapshefinds

aroundhisvillageandbringselectricity,andafuture,tohisfamily.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:TheButterManAuthor:ElizabethAlalou&AliAlalou

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:PrimaryYear:2008

Type:PicturebookIllustrations:YesDescription:Nora,ayounggirlofMoroccanheritage,hearsastory

aboutherfather'schildhoodinasmallBerbervillageintheAtlasMountainsofsouthernMoroccowhileherfatherpreparesher

family'susualSaturdaydinner,couscous.Shehearshowherfatherandhisfamily,andhisvillage,lived

throughbothdroughtandplentyintheiragriculturalregion.ReflectingthecontemporaryrealitiesoftheMoroccanDiasporaaroundtheworld,thebooksuggeststhepassageoffamilyhistoryandtraditionwithinamodernhousehold.ElizabethandAliAlaloubalancethetwoworldswithoutrelyingon

sensationalismoranorientalizingofruralMorocco.IncludeseducationalnotesonBerbercultureinMorocco.

Title:TheCaptiveAuthor:JoyceHansen


Length:195ppType:Young‐adultnovel

Illustrations:None

Description:Thisperceptivehistoricalnovelwonthe1995AfricanStudiesChildren'sBookAwardforOlderReaders.Itcontraststwocultures,theAsantekingdomofGhanaandNewEnglandduringtheera

ofslavery.InspiredbythelifeofOlaudahEquiano.

Title:Chanda’sSecretAuthor:AllanStrattonLanguage:English

GradeLevel:HighschoolYear:2004Type:Young‐adultnovel

Illustrations:NoneDescription:Sixteen‐year‐oldChandaKabelohassecrets.Sheloves


UpdatedMay2010

schoolanddreamsofwinningascholarshiponeday,butpeoplearedyingaroundher.Everyoneisafraidtosaywhy,butChandaknows:it'sbecauseofAIDS.Chanda'sSecretstakesplaceinanamelesscountry

thataccuratelyresemblesaplacewhereoveraquarterofthepopulationislivingwithHIV.Chanda'sstrugglesaresimilartomillionsofotherchildrenlivinginSubSaharanAfrica.Havinglostherfather,stepfather,threeolderbrothers,sisterandseveralcommunitymembers,Chandaquicklymovesfrom

theplayfulignoranceofyouthtoanadultlife,eventhoughitisdifficultforhertounderstandsomeofwhatishappeningaroundher.ThoughtheHollywoodendingmakesthestoryslightlyunrealistic,Chandagivesafaceandastorytoconnectteenreaderswiththestatisticstheyhearinthenews.

Title:ChildofDandelions

Author:ShenaazNanjiLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Middle/highschool

Year:2008Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:No

Description:ThisworkofhistoricalfictiontellsthestoryofSabine,a15‐yearUgandancitizenofIndianancestrywhoselifeofluxuryfallsapartonceIdiAmincomestopower.Herfatherthinksthey’llbesafebecause

theyarecitizens,buttheysoonrealizethattheyarenotsafefromtheterror,violence,andprejudicesthatdominatethetimes.Thestoryisasuspensefultalewithrealistic,yetloveablecharacters.

Title:DendeMaro:TheGoldenPrinceAuthor:SallyMallamLanguage:English

GradeLevel:AllAgesYear:2009Type:CreationTale

Illustrations:IllustrationsandmapDescription:Mallam'ssparetaledescribeshowexistencebeganwithasingleshapethat,overagreatlengthoftime,

eventuallybecameallothershapestheuniverse,theworld,andeverylifeformwithinthem.Inthistale,humanbeingsappearlast.Aftertheyareformed,theydesiremorethan

mereexistenceandyearnforsomeonetoguidethem.EventuallytheirlonginggrowssostrongthatitgeneratesDendeMaro'sbirth.Heshowshumanshowto


UpdatedMay2010

liveintheworldandinstructsthemtotakecareofthemselvesandeachother.Heteachesthemlanguageandmathematics,andintroducesthemtothearts‐‐drawing,painting,carving,writing,playing

music,anddancing.Sinceherstorytranscendscontinentsandcultures,itemphasizeshumancommonality.DendeMaroprovidesrichfodderforlessonsaboutartisticexpression,history,Africa,socialstudies,multiculturalism,andinspiration.Afterthestoryends,Mallamprovidesafewshort

paragraphsaboutprehistoricAfricanrockart.

Title:EgyptianNewsAuthor:ScottSteadmanLanguage:English

GradeLevel:Elementary/MiddleschoolYear:1997Length:32pp.

Type:IllustratedhistorybookIllustrations:YesDescription:Writteninnewspaperformat,thiscolorfulandengaging

bookpresentsanoverviewofEgyptianhistoryandculturefrom3000BCEto1100BCE.

Title:MyFather’sShopAuthor:SatomiIchikawa


Length:28ppType:FictionalpicturebookIllustrations:Yes

Description:InMyFather'sShop,wefollowtheadventureofyoung

Mustafaashelearnsabouthisfather'stradeasarugsellerinasoutherntowninMoroccoandaboutcommunicatingwithothers,inthiscasetouristsfromaroundtheworld.Afteraskingforand

receivingarugofhisveryown,Mustafagoesthroughthevillagetoshowhisfriendshisnewacquisition.However,inthecompanyofalocalrooster,hemeetsupwithfriendlytouristswhoteachhowto"speakrooster"inFrench,Spanish,EnglishandJapanese.Excitedtosharehisnewknowledgewithhisfather,

hereturnstotherugshop,bringingallofhisnewfriendsalongwithhim.TherichcolorsandpatternsofMoroccancarpetsmixwithvividdrawingsoflocalvillagelife,snapshotsofthemarketplaceandthe


UpdatedMay2010

presentationofavarietyofinternationaltouristswhomakeupthecustomersoftherugshop.Clickhereforalessontoaccompanythebook.

Title:Fatuma’sNewCloth

Author:LeslieBulionLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Primary

Year:2002Length:30pp Type:Fictionalpicturebook

Illustrations:Watercolorillustrations

Description:Fatuma'sNewClothisacharmingstoryaboutalittleEastAfricangirlwhovisitsthemarketwithhermotherinordertopurchasekangaclothforanewdress.Duringhertriptothemarket,Fatumahelps

usexploretheEastAfricanperceptionoftheworldasshelearnsaboutherpeople’scultureandtraditions.Fatumaalsocomestolearnthatdifferentpeoplehavedifferentopinionsandthattheymayinterpretthingsverydifferently.Thisisespeciallyapparentinherexperiencesinbuyingthekangacloth

andherfavoritedrink,chai,ateathatiscommonlypreparedandservedamongstEastAfricans.WelearntheimportanceofthemarketinthelifeofFatuma'scommunityandseehowsheinteractswitheachofthevendorsatthemarket,whereintime,shewilllearntheskillssheneedstobargainand

purchasegoodstotakehometoherfamily.WealsolearnaboutthesocialimportanceofkangaclothinEastAfrica.Kangaclothisacolorfulprintedcottonclothwithtraditionalmotifsthatisusuallyboughtin

pairstobewornbybothwomenandmeninEastAfrica(predominantlyKenyaandTanzania)aspartoftheirdailydress.ClickhereforalistofbooksonKiswahili,Kenya,Tanzania,chai,andkanga.

Title:FromSomaliawithLoveAuthor:Na’imaB.Robert

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Middle/HighschoolYear:2009

Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:NoDescription:Twelve‐yearoldSafiaDiriewasborninSomalia,butsheisa

London‐girlthroughandthrough,withfewmemoriesofherlifebeforeemigration.Whenherfathersuddenlyjoinsthefamilyafteryearsspentfightinginwar‐tornMogadishu,Safiaisunpreparedforthecultureclash.

SafiamuststruggletofigureoutwhosheisasaMuslim,ateenager,andadaughter.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:HeavenShopAuthor:DeborahEllis

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Middleschool(olderteensmightalsoenjoyit)Year:2004

Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:NoneDescription:Bintiandhersiblingsareorphanedwhentheirfather

diesofAIDS.SplitupandsenttorelativesalloverMalawi,theysufferincreasinghardship.Bintilearnsthehardwaywhatismostimportantinlife,andisforcedtotakeahardlookatherown.

Historicallyandculturallysensitive,TheHeavenShopisrespectfulandinformative.Itdoesn'tshyawayfromdealingwithdifficultissues,nordoesitsugarcoatthem.Instead,thestorydeals

realisticallywithcustomsofinheritancewithoutmakinggrossgeneralizationsorjudgmentsaboutwhatisdone.ItiseasytoenvisionlifeinMalawibecausethestoryisfilledwithrichdescriptionoftheMalawianlandscapeandday‐to‐daylife,fromsecond‐handclothing

beingsoldonthesideofaroadtolinesofwomenandchildrenwaitingtogetwaterinruralareas.

Title:ILostmyToothinAfricaAuthor:PendaDiakiteandBabaWagueDiakite

Language:EnglishwithBambaraGradeLevel:PrimaryYear:2006

Type:StorybookIllustrations:YesDescription:ILostmyToothinAfricaisavibrant,livelystory

abouteight‐yearoldAmina,whotakesalongjourneyfromPortland,OregontoWestAfrica,tovisitherfather'sfamilyin

Mali.WhenAminaloseshertoothinMali,placesitunderagourdandtangleswiththeAfricantooth‐

fairy,shelearnsthatgrowingupisalsoaboutresponsibility.Teacherscanbenefitagreatdealfromusingthisbook,especiallyintheirSocialStudiesclasses,whenteachingaboutAfricanculture(food,family,languageandtraditions)orcelebratingBlackHistoryMonth.Thebook'sappendixincludesa

glossaryoftheBambarawords,agoodnightsonginBambaraandanauthenticrecipeforAfricanonionsaucefromMali.Clickhereforalessontoaccompanythebook.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:IkennaGoestoNigeriaAuthor:IfeomaOnyefulu


Type:StorybookIllustrations:PhotographsDescription:IfeomaOnyefuluistheaward‐winningwriterofvarious

childrenstories.InthisstorythereaderseesthesophisticatedimagesofaNigerianurbansettingwithitsarchitecturallycomplexlandscapes,andalsothelesssophisticatedpicturesofthelocal

culture,withfleamarkets,chickensrunningaroundinthevillageandthebarefootedadherentsoftherivergoddess.Itisveryrichin

culturalcontentsandaestheticallyappealing.

Title:InOurVillage

Author:BarbaraCervone(Ed.);StudentsfromAwetSecondarySchool,TanzaniaLanguage:English

GradeLevel:Elementary/MiddleschoolYear:2006Length:74pp

Type:Non‐fictionchapterbookIllustrations:Photographs(takenbystudentsinthevillage)

Description:WhatKidsCanDo,aU.S.‐basedNGO,andstudentsatAwetSecondarySchoolinthevillageofKambiyaSimba,Tanzaniacollaboratetoshowandexplainlifeintheirvillage.

Title:ALongWayGone:MemoirsofaBoySoldierAuthor:IshmaelBeahLanguage:English

GradeLevel:HighschoolYear:2007Type:Autobiography

Illustrations:NoneDescription:Thismemoiroffersaninsideviewofhowlivesaretransformedwhenwarsweepsthroughacountry.Beahwaslivingan

ordinarylifeinalovingcommunitywithnopersonalknowledgeofarmedconflict.TheonlywarsheknewofwerethoseheheardaboutontheBBC,readofinbooksorsawinmovieslikeRambo.WhenwarfoundBeah,he


UpdatedMay2010

wastravelingtoanearbycommunitytoperformrapmusicinatalentshow.Heandtheothermembersofhisgroupwereabductedandforcedtofightalongsideotheryoungteensinthegovernment’sarmy.

Beahdetailsthedifficultsituationthatthechildsoldiersfacewhenreleasedfromthearmy,theirhomesdestroyedandfamilymembersdeadormissing.AtfifteenBeahwasselectedtorepresentthechildrenofSierraLeoneataUnitedNationsconferenceonchildreninconflictedcountries.

Title:TheMiddleofSomewhere

Author:SheilaGordonLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Elementary/Middle

Year:1990Length:152ppType:Chapterbook

Illustrations:NoneDescription:Thestoryofayounggirl,Rebecca,whosevillageisthreatenedinapartheid‐eraSouthAfricainordertomakewayforanew‘whites‐only’town.Togetherwithherfamilyandcommunity,Rebecca

joinsthestruggletosaveherhomeandhervillage.

Title:Mufaro’sBeautifulDaughtersAuthor:JohnSteptoeLanguage:English

GradeLevel:PrimaryYear:1987

Type:StorybookIllustrations:YesDescription:Steptoe'slastofferingisanadaptationofaXhosatale

fromSouthAfrica.SteptoehaschangedthesettingofthestoryfromXhosalandtooldZimbabwe.Asintheoldtale,thefocusisonsisterswithoppositenatures.Oneiskindandgentle,theotherbad‐

temperedandselfish.Eachhopestobechosenbythekingtobehiswife.Inadditiontolearningthatgoodbehaviorisrewardedandilldeedsarepunished,childrensoakuptheatmosphereofruralandcitylifeinanancientAfricankingdom.Thebookcanserveasauseful

meansofintroducingchildrentothevarietyofarchitecturalstructuresinancientZimbabwe.Thatchedhousesandmassivestonestructuresarebothfeaturedintheillustrations.Thedrawingsofbuildingsandpeoplearedetailedandstunninglyrealistic.Storytellerssearchingforagoodreadaloudwillfindthis

bookablyfillsthebill.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:TheMzunguBoyAuthor:MejaMwangi

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Elementary/MiddleschoolYear:2005

Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:NoneDescription:Thisbooktellsanimportantstoryofsettlercolonialism

inKenya.MzunguBoyoffersatonictothedisturbinglywidespreadOutofAfricasyndrome,wherethewhitesarestrongpioneersouttherealonefacinganunforgivingenvironment.InMzunguBoywe

learnthesamestory,butfromtheoppositeperspective,thatofayoungboywhosefatherworkslongharshhoursasthecookforawhitesettlerfamily.Westillseethestrongwhitepioneer,butnowas

adeeplyfeared,cruelandseeminglyomnipotentstranger.Thenovelissetintheearly1950sastheMauMaumovementwasgatheringstrengthinthe"White"Highlands.WhentheboyKariukimeets"mzungu"(whiteguy),thegrandsonoftheplantationowner,thestorytakesoff.Astheboysbecome

closerfriends,theirsurroundingworldbecomesmorefearfulandviolent.Still,thetwoboystrytohavefuntogetherandunderstandeachother'sstrangeways.Ultimately,theirfriendshipisoneofseveralcausesofthebrutalmurderofKariuki'sbrotherbythesettlerpolice.Yettheboys'friendshipsomehow

perseveresbecausetheyaren'toldenoughtounderstandthatcolonialismisirredeemablydistortingtheirlivesandwillundoubtedlyendupdestroyingtheirfriendship.

Title:NoConditionisPermanent

Author:CristinaKesslerLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Middle/Highschool

Year:2000Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:None

Description:ThisisthestoryofJodie,a14‐year‐oldwhiteAmericangirlwhounexpectedlyfindsherselflivingwithhermotherhalfwayaroundtheworldinSierraLeone.Jodie'smother,acollegeprofessorisgranteda

sabbaticalandprovidedwithfundingtoconductfieldresearchinBukamaasmallfishingvillage.Despitehermother'sdelightatreturningtoherold

PeaceCorpsvillagetostudytheactivitiesofthevillagewomen,Jodieisnotpleasedbytheprospectof

leavinghernewCaliforniahomeandfriendstogoliveinanunfamiliarplace.SoonaftershearrivesinBukama,JodiedevelopsafriendshipwithKhadieagirlherownage.WhileKhadieteachesJodieaboutsomeofthecustomsandlanguageofherpeople,andabouthowtoworklikethegirlsandwomenof

thevillage,JodiereciprocatesbyteachingKhadiehowtoreadandwriteinEnglish.Althoughthespecialrelationshiptheydevelopseemstotranscendmostoftheboundariesofrace,nationalityandculture,


UpdatedMay2010

eventuallytheirfriendshipisseverelytestedbytheboundariesimposedbySande‐‐thewomen'ssecretsocietyinSierraLeone.

Title:NoTigersinAfrica,ANovelAuthor:NormanSilverLanguage:English

GradeLevel:HighschoolYear:1990Length:138pp

Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:NoneDescription:NewlyarrivedinEnglandfromSouthAfrica,afifteen‐year‐

old'sfamilydeterioratesastheeffectsoflivingunderapartheidtakeatolloneveryaspectofthefamilymembers'lives.

Title:NoTurningBack:ANovelofSouthAfricaAuthor:BeverleyNaidoo


Length:185pp.Type:Young‐adultnovel

Illustrations:NoneDescription:NoTurningBackaddressestheproblemsofpost‐apartheidSouthAfrica.Althoughanewregimegovernsthecountry,changesinthe

economy,society,andeducationhavenotfiltereddowntothepoorasquicklyasanticipated.Youngadolescentboysstillfindthatpovertyand

crimeinthetownshipsaretoomuchtoendure.SipholikeotherboysfleesSowetoandgoestomiddle

classneighborhoodsinJohannesburgwherehecanlivewithagroupofyoungsidewalkentrepreneurs.Hispaymentisinkind(food,lodging,andschooling)ratherthanmoney.Despitehisimprovedlifestyle,thisarrangementkeepshimstilldependent.Finally,Siphogoestoashelterwherehecanliveandattend

school,hereturnstoSowetoonlytovisithismother.NoTurningBackcontainsahopefulmessageforSouthAfricanyouth,portrayingNelsonMandela'svisionthroughSiphoforamoretolerantcountry.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:TheOldAfricanAuthor:JuliusLester


Type:StorybookIllustrations:YesDescription:Anelderlyslaveusesthepowerofhismindtoeasethe

sufferingofhisfellowslavesandeventuallyleadthembacktoAfrica.BasedonanactualincidentfromBlackhistory.

Title:OneDayWeHadtoRun:RefugeeChildrenTelltheirStoriesinWordsandPaintings

Author:SybellaWilkesLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Middle/Highschool

Year:1994Length:61ppType:Non‐Fiction

Illustrations:Children’sdrawings,photographs,mapsDescription:ThisbookcoversthreeAfricancountries:Sudan,SomaliaandEthiopia,withabriefcommentaryonRwanda,andnotesonrefugeesthroughoutAfrica.Eachcountryisdescribedinabrief

essayonitspastandpresent.Asecondessayintroducesonerefugeechild,whothentellshisorherownstory.Ashortfolktaleorstoryroundsouteachsection.Illustrationsarepaintingsdonebythechildren,

photographsincolororblackandwhite,andveryclearmapswhichshowtheroutestakenbyeachchildaswellasplacingthesite'snamesinthebroadercontextofAfrica.Thisisatastefulandsurprisinglypositivetreatmentofaserioussituation.Waysofusingthisbookintheclassroomaresuggested.Itcan

clearlysupplementcurriculainanumberofways.Theonlyfaultstobefoundareafewtermsused,suchas"hut"todescribephotosofquitenicelyconstructedrefugeehomes.Thisisanexception;mostofthetermsusedareaccurateandfreeofculturalbias.

Title:OneHen:Howonesmallloanmadeabigdifference

Author:KatieSmithMilwayLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Primary/Elementary

Year:2008Type:StorybookIllustrations:Yes

Description:Milway'sbookdoesawonderfuljobofpresentingapositive,simplestoryofKojo,alevel‐headed,hardworkingboyhappytolendahelpinghandtohisfamilyandhisextendedvillage.Latching


UpdatedMay2010

ontoaloanhismotherobtained,heissmartenoughtofigureoutawaytomultiplythelittlehisfamilyhas,andlatersharewithothersaroundhim.Kojoseemstohavecreatedamodernvariationofthe

'susu,'aneconomicandculturalpracticeamongtheAkaninGhanawhereseveralpeoplecontributetoajointfundwhichisthenloanedtooneofthegroup.Asthispersonpaysbacktheloan,someoneelseinthegroupthenbenefitsfromtheexpandedloan.Thiscontinueswitheverybodyatsomepoint

benefitingasthepotgrows.Itisaformofwhatisnowpopularlycalled'microfinance,'awayforusuallypoorandmoderateincomepeopletohaveaccesstosmall,sustainablecreditasawaytolivedecently.Kojousesthesmallloantobuyonehenandselltheeggsthatthehenlays.Soon,therearemorehens

andmoreeggs,andtherestisanappreciableexperienceinsuccessandgrowthforeverybodyconnectedwithKojo.

Title:OutofBounds:SevenStoriesofConflictandHope

Author:BeverleyNaidooLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Middleschool

Year:2003Type:BookofshortstoriesIllustrations:None

Description:Sevenstories,spanningthetimeperiodfrom1948to2000,chronicletheexperiencesofyoungpeoplefromdifferentracesandethnicgroupsastheytrytocopewiththerestrictionsplacedon

theirlivesbySouthAfrica'sapartheidlaws.

Title:RiseoftheGoldenCobra

Author:HenryT.AubinLanguage:EnglishGradeLevel:Middle/Highschool

Year:2007Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:None

Description:Setaround700BCE,thishistoricallyaccuratebutfictionalstoryfocusesonNebi,anEgyptianteenagerwhobychancelearnsofsomepoliticallyimportantinformationthathasthepotentialtochangethe

courseofhistory.Afterwitnessingamurder,NebiescapestoKushinNubia,modern‐daySudan,totellkingPiankhywhathehaswitnessed.

Consequently,thekingdecidestolaunchamilitarycampaigntoliberatenorthernEgyptfromtheruleof

theLibyankingTefnakht.Nebijoinsthearmyonthisadventure,befriendingPiankhy'snephewand


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Egypt'sfuturekingShebitku.Thenovelfollowsthecampaignnorthwardasbothyoungmenparticipateinvariousskirmishesandlearnvaluablelessonsalongtheway.Clickhereforalessontoaccompanythe

book.

Title:MyRowsandPilesofCoinsAuthor:JayKitsao,illus.E.B.Lewis


Type:PicturebookIllustrations:YesDescription:InthisstorysetinTanzania,theprotagonistisaMaasai

boy,livinginaruralnorthernarea.Hisfathergrowsanexportcrop(coffee),hismothermarketsothercrops,andhe,Saruni,helpsthemboth,especiallyhismother.Usinganoldsqueakywheelbarrowhe

haulshismother'sbeans,corn,pumpkinsandothercropstomarket.Industriousandthrifty,hesavesthecoinsheearnshelpingmother,patientlywaitingforthedayhecanbuythebicyclehehashisheartseton.Eventually,hegetsabikebutitisnotnewanditcomestohimin

asurprisingway.Heshowsnodisappointment.Heisdelightedhehasabikeofhisown,onethathecanusetohelphismother.Thestorypresentsopportunitiesfordiscussinganumberoftopics.Welearn,forexample,thatsomepartsofAfricaarechillyduringNorthAmericasummers,thatwomenplay

importanteconomicrolesinthefamilyandcommunity,andthatabicyclecanbeanimportanteconomicasset.AglossaryofMaasaitermsandauthor'snoteaboutTanzaniancurrencycompletethe

book.

Title:PlantingtheTreesofKenyaAuthor:ClaireNivolaLanguage:English

GradeLevel:Primary/ElementaryYear:2008Type:Storybook

Illustrations:YesDescription:WangariMaathai,winnerofthe2004NobelPeacePrizeandfounderoftheGreenBeltMovement,grewup

inthehighlandsofKenya,wherefigtreescloakedthehills,fishfilledthestreams,andthepeopletendedtheirbountifulgardens.Butovermanyyears,asmoreandmorelandwascleared,Kenyawastransformed.WhenWangarireturnedhomefromcollegeinAmerica,

shefoundthevillagegardensdry,thepeoplemalnourished,andthetreesgone.Howcouldshealonebringbackthetreesandrestorethegardensandthepeople?


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Title:TheSacredDoorandOtherStoriesAuthor:Makuchi

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Highschool/TeacherYear:2008

Length:177pp.Type:FolktalesIllustrations:None

Description:MakuchisharestheoralnarrativesfromherchildhoodinCameroon,infusingthemwithriddles,songs,proverbs,mythsandlegends.The33talesinthisbookcoveruniversalthemes,but

acknowledgethedifferencesbetweenhumancultures.

Title:Segu,anovelAuthor:MaryseCondeLanguage:English

GradeLevel:HighschoolYear:1998Type:Historicalnovel

Illustrations:Maps,familytreeDescription:Basedonactualevents,hisnovelcapturesthecomingof

IslamtothekingdomofSeguinMaliandthedisruptiveforcesoftheAtlanticslavetrade.

Title:Sundiata:LionKingofMaliAuthor:DavidWisniewski


Length:Type:StorybookIllustrations:yes

Description:ThestoryofSundiata,whoovercamephysicalhandicaps,socialdisgrace,andstrongoppositiontoruleMaliinthe


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thirteenthcentury.Winnerofthe1993AfricanStudiesAssociation'sBestChildren'sBookonAfrica

Title:Sunjata:WarriorKingofMaliAuthor:RonandJustineFontes


Type:GraphicNovelIllustrations:YesDescription:Sunjata,thefounderoftheMaliempire,iscelebratedin

Sunjata:WarriorKingofMali.ThelegendisretoldingraphicnovelformatbyJustineandRonFontesandillustratedbySandyCarruthers.TheFontesbasedtheirretellingoftheSunjataepicontalesinEpic

AncestorsoftheSundjataErarecordedbyDavidConrad.

Title:ThingsFallApartAuthor:ChinuaAchebe


Type:NovelIllustrations:No

Description:ThingsFallApartisAchebe'sclassicnovelofcolonialintrusionandthedisruptionofIgbosociety.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:TomyChildren’sChildrenAuthor:SindiweMagona


Type:AutobiographyIllustrations:NoDescription:Thispowerfulautobiographyprovidesavivid,personal

snapshotofwhatitwasliketogrowupunderapartheidinSouthAfrica.Herlifeexemplifiesthechallengesanddefeatsaswellasthepowerofpersonalcourageanddeterminationasthisbookintroduces

readerstoherearlyyearsasachild,andlaterasastudent,ateacher,adomesticworkerandasinglemother.

Title:Unbowed:AMemoirAuthor:WangariMaathai

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Highschool

Year:2007Type:AutobiographyIllustrations:None

Description:Maathai,asinglemotherofthreeandthefirstAfricanwomanandenvironmentalisttowintheNobelPeacePrize,recountsherlifeasapoliticalactivist,feminist,andenvironmentalistinKenya.


UpdatedMay2010

Title:WelcomeDede!AnAfricanNamingCeremonyAuthor:IfeomaOnyefulu


Type:PicturebookIllustrations:PhotographsDescription:Thisphotoessaydescribesthecultural

significanceofWestAfricannamingceremonies.Clickhereforalessonplantoaccompanythebook.

Title:WhatistheWhatAuthor:DaveEggers


Type:FictionalizedbiographyIllustrations:NoneDescription:TheheartrendingbutremarkablestoryofoneofSudan's

LostBoys.Itisasomewhatfictionalizedversionofthelifeofareallostboy,ValentinoAchakDeng.HeeventuallymadeittotheU.S.,finding

thattheU.S.offereditsownobstaclesandproblemsforimmigrants.

Title:WhyMonkeysLiveinTrees,andotherstoriesfromBeninAuthor:RaoufMamaLanguage:English

GradeLevel:Year:2006Type:Folktales

Illustrations:NoDescription:Benin,formerlyDahomey,isinWestAfrica.Itisacountryrichinoralstories,passedonfromgenerationto

generation.RaoufMama,astorytellerhimselfaswellasateacherandorator,drawsonthisrichtraditionandincludesstoriesfrommanyofBenin’sindigenousgroups.Mamaiswiseenoughtoinclude

manytypesofstoriesinhiscollection,tricksters,fables,heroes,


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sacredstoriesandothertypesofstories,eachwithitsownmoral.Thestoriesinclude:Comeandhearmystory‐‐Blessedarethestorytellers,fortheyarethekeepersoftheword‐‐Whymonkeyslivein

trees‐‐Whythesunshinesbydayandthemoonbynight‐‐Whybeemakeshoneyandsnakecrawlsonitsbelly‐‐Howgoatgotoutoftrouble.

Title:YearofNoRainAuthor:AliceMead

Language:EnglishGradeLevel:Middleschool/highschoolYear:2003

Type:Young‐adultnovelIllustrations:NoneDescription:Stephen,ayoungDinka,livesinavillageinSudanwithhis

motherandhiseldersister,Naomi.Hisfatherhasvanished,goneofftothewar.Stephen'sconcernsarethoseofanyolderchildinsuchavillage:hisfamily,thecowshetendsandonwhichthevillagedepends,andhis

sister'simpendingmarriage.Theechoesofthedistantwarbuild,untilsuddenlythevillageisraidedbysoldierslookingforfood.Stephenand

twootherboysescapetotheforest;hissisterNaomihides.Thenextday,Stephenandtheotherboys

returntofindthevillagedestroyed,Stephen'smotherdead,andNaomivanished.Thebookendsonahopefulbutrealisticnoteasthechildrenstarttotrytore‐establishlifeamongtheruins.

Title:YorubaGirlDancingAuthor:SimiBedfordLanguage:English

GradeLevel:Middle/highschoolYear:1991Type:Young‐adultnovel

Illustrations:NoneDescription:Thisbookisacoming‐of‐agestoryaboutRemiwhoselifegrowingupinNigeriaisacelebrationofloveandfamily,eccentricityand

oldritual.Shefeelsconfidentinherprivilegeandgroundedintheheartofherculture.Butwhensheturnssix,asifbysomeawfulspell,sheissentawaytoaboardingschoolinEnglandwhereshemustlearntonavigateher

raceandcultureamongstrangersandfigureoutwhoshereallyis.

UW‐MADISON African Studies Book List · have chosen 25 countries from all the regions of the...

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