Swain News Archives

Global Awareness Week: Book Recommendations

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Young Adult book recommended for ages 13 and up (also a great read for adults). Powerful account of a Native American teen who finds himself torn between two worlds. Wonderfully written with beautiful illustrations. National Book Award winner from Alexie, who is a Native American from the Pacific Northwest.

Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
A Syrian American experiences racial profiling during the Katrina disaster of 2005. A tremendous work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Recommended for adults. Eggers is the author of seven books, and he helped establish Voice of Witness, a series of books that details human rights issues around the globe.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Reflecting on his experiences in four different concentration camps, Frankl examines why he survived while others around him perished. A stirring account about the power of the human soul. Written shortly after his liberation, Frankl’s classic is considered by many to be one of the most referenced books on the Holocaust.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A contemporary account of the Holocaust published in 2007. Narrated from the perspective of death, Zusak’s unique and fresh style surprises you at every turn; you won’t be able to put it down after the first 50 pages. An amazing story of friendship set in Nazi Germany during WWII. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Great read for adults as well.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder
by Richard Louv
Louv’s work, published in 2008, “is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions and simple ways to heal the broken bond—and they are right in our own backyard.”