"Keeping Corner" by Kashmira Sheth

The year is 1918, and Leela is 11 years old, living in India. She got engaged to Ramanlal when she was 2 years old, and her parents married her when she was 9. She still lives with her mother and father, but the following year, she will have an anu (a special ceremony where she will move into her husband's house). This is common for girls Leela's age to marry young. She is one of the few female students left at her school, as most other girls have already moved in with their husband's families. Leela's parents love her, and want what's best for their daughter. However, Leela is devastated when her husband, Ramanlal, unexpectedly dies in an accident. Due to local customs, Leela is now a widow at 11 years old, and can never remarry. She must shave her head and "keep corner" for one year after his death. This basically means she can't leave her parents' house, the ultimate grounding. Her options are severely restricted, and in her eyes, very unfair. But there is talk of change. A man named Gandhi is calling on the government to change the way it treats its workers, and to give more rights to women. Widows are considered bad luck in this time of India's history. If people believe and follow Gandhi's ideas, Leela may have the opportunity to work and go to school.

"Three Cups of Tea - One Man's Journey to Change the World...One Child at a Time - The Young Reader's Edition" by Greg Mortenson

Last year KCLS participated in King County Reads - where we encouraged everyone to read Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. I was thrilled to discover this new version of the book adapted by Sarah Thomson. If you missed the original, here's the basic story. Greg Mortenson took off traveling to the middle east where he tried to climb K2, the 2nd highest mountain in the world, and some would argue the most challenging. He did not make the summit and upon his descent, he strayed from the trail and got lost. Eventually he stumbled into a remote village, where locals wholeheartedly welcomed him and nursed him back to health with food and kindness. He was shocked to see the village's school, its lack of teachers and supplies. Students were copying their lessons with sticks in the dirt. Greg was inspired by their desire to learn and vowed to return to their village and build them a proper school, and so he did. To date, as director of the Central Asian Institute, Greg has constructed over 50 schools and is dedicated to improving the quality of education for these children, especially young girls. This is a powerful, moving humanitarian story and I'm so excited to see it accessible for a younger audience. It's a great way to share Greg's story with your kids, your students or anyone who wants a simplified version of his story. The book has a great Q&A with Greg's daughter Amira, and information on Pennies for Peace, a fundraising opportunity for interested students. Whereas a penny in American is considered worthless, in Pakistan or Afghanistan a penny can purchase a pencil and help promote education and literacy. Color photographs make a stunning addition and I wish they had been included in the original. Highly recommended all around!