Books about War and Refugee Children

At the Hawaii’ Children’s Literature Conference which was held in Honolulu this June, with co-presenter, Jessica Powers, we talked about the importance of writing honestly about war, terrorism and being a refugee. My talk included descriptions of teaching activities, for younger students as well as teens, that can be used with a variety of books. I believe that our challenge as writers is to not avert our gaze. Our responsibility is to write with honesty. May we celebrate books that tell the stories children want to hear, stories about their own experiences. Children thrive on truth as we all do.

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Sunrise and Sunset

kona sunset by Nancy Bo Flood

Driving Mom home at sunset, we stopped the car by the beach. Near the water’s edge sat an old couple. As the red ball of sun began to slip behind…

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Heart, You’ve Got to Have Heart

Sand to Stone and Back Again by Nancy Bo Flood

But, you may argue, I am writing a nonfiction nature book…or a fantasy…or picture-book biography. It doesn’t matter. If you want your reader to keep turning the pages and at…

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Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2012

Hans Christian Andersen Award

by Nancy Bo Flood Hans Christian Andersen, yes, we love the stories he gave us. Their universal themes of compassion and tolerance are as relevant today as ever.   In his…

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Outstanding International Books 2011

by Nancy Bo Flood Celebrating the best of children’s international books of 2011! Outstanding International Books is a project of the United States chapter of the International Board on Books…

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No-Name Baby

no-name baby by Nancy Bo Flood

The Great War, like all wars, left wounds that rippled through communities and families, sometimes in unexpected ways. To survive World War I, Sophie’s family did the best they knew, the best they could, even if it meant burying family secrets. And then, life changed.

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Warriors in the Crossfire

Warriors in the Crossfire by Nancy Bo Flood - YA Historical Novel

Warriors in the Crossfire looks at one boy’s experience of impending war – war fought by two nations, Japan and the U.S. – on the Pacific island of Saipan

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Sand to Stone and Back Again

Sand to Stone and Back Again by Nancy Bo Flood

Secrets of Sand to Stone takes readers on a journey through time to understand how the landscape of the desert Southwest is the result of many forces and great change over long periods of time.

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Why I Teach

Nancy Bo Flood

Who Are These People?  Who Are These Online Students? “I am leaving the country today and I will not have access to Internet until Wednesday or Thursday of next week.…

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