Book picks similar to
Hey, Hmong Girl, Whassup?: The Journal of Choua Vang by Leah Rempel
hmong
minnesota
young-adult
hmong-lives
Keeping Safe the Stars
Sheila O'Connor - 2012
Orphaned and living with their grandfather, Old Finn, in rural Minnesota, the children, like their grandfather, are wary of outsiders. They believe, as Old Finn taught them, in self-reliance.But then Old Finn falls seriously ill and is taken to the hospital all the way in Duluth, leaving the children to fend for themselves. Pride, as oldest, assumes the lead. Though she makes mistakes, she keeps them afloat; they even earn money for the bus trip to Duluth. But when they finally see Old Finn, he can't walk or even say his own name, and Pride knows her days of keeping safe the Stars are drawing to a close. Self-reliance can't make Old Finn well again. But maybe, just maybe, a secret from Old Finn's past might make a way for them to stay together after all.A poignant story about family and love, Sheila O'Connor has delivered another extraordinary and mesmerizing tale.
Number 6 Fumbles
Rachel Solar-Tuttle - 2002
Rebecca Lowe is an upbeat coed, the one who gets straight A's, the one friends and teachers count on. But when she sees No. 6 fumble the football at the Penn-Cornell game, Beck begins to question what would happen if she "fumbled the ball" in her own life. Suddenly filled with uncertainty, she begins to devolve, indulging in a personal odyssey of hard drinking and casual hookups, staying out all night as she tries to find the real Rebecca. But somehow the truth keeps evading her. Gritty and passionate, Number 6 Fumbles is an irresistible story for anyone who has ever feared failure only slightly more than success.
Hard Cash
Kate Cann - 2001
He can never afford new clothes and has to scrounge off his mates in the pub. The girl he fancies won't look at him twice, and he's pretty sure that life is passing him by.But soon fortune decides to smile on Richard Steele, and before long, he has more money than he can count -- it's just burning a hole in his pocket. And with the money comes everything he's dreamed of: trendy clothing, independence, and, yes, sex. But Rich is about to learn that with hard cash comes difficult choices -- some that he might not be ready for....
Another Girl
Allison Burnett - 2015
The film of Another Girl opens on all streaming platforms on September 14, 2021. It stars Sammi Hanratty and Peter Gadiot.
The Raven's Wing
Frances Watts - 2014
On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, Claudia is unexpectedly summoned to Rome by the father she hasn't seen in ten years, a wealthy and powerful senator. She finds herself with both a new family and a luxurious new home in the capital of the world's greatest empire. But Claudia soon discovers a contest of power and ambition is secretly being waged - and she is the prize. Torn between two rivals for her hand in marriage, she must choose between her duty and her heart ... a choice that could have deadly consequences. From multi-award-winning author Frances Watts comes a gripping mystery of love and intrigue set in Ancient Rome.
Long Way Back
Brendan Halpin - 2007
It’s firmly rooted in familial embarrassment (the Kellys’ house is “decorated like the inside of somebody’s hut in Guatemala”), reinforced by an abiding love of Dee Dee Ramone and other (lesser) gods of the rock pantheon, and cemented by the secret of a remarkable religious epiphany Francis experiences at the age of twelve.Clare and Francis become happy adults with rewarding careers and loving spouses. But when tragedy strikes, Francis finds his faith shattered and his life horribly transformed, and Clare doesn’t know how to help the brother she loves but has never fully understood.Nearly flattened by sadness, Francis turns to the angry, propulsive music that sustained him through adolescence and finds that you’re never too old to be punk rock. With the help of a bass guitar and the support of Clare and some unlikely new friends, Francis gradually finds his way back from the depths of despair to a life that feels worth living.Told in Clare’s wry, compassionate voice, Long Way Back is an original, moving novel about grief, guitars, and grace. It shows that the Velvet Underground didn’t lie: Your life really can be saved by rock and roll.From the Hardcover edition.
How Do You Live?
Genzaburo Yoshino - 1937
First published in 1937, Genzaburō Yoshino’s How Do You Live? has long been acknowledged in Japan as a crossover classic for young readers. Academy Award–winning animator Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Howl’s Moving Castle) has called it his favorite childhood book and announced plans to emerge from retirement to make it the basis of a final film. How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, fifteen, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live. This first-ever English-language translation of a Japanese classic about finding one’s place in a world both infinitely large and unimaginably small is perfect for readers of philosophical fiction like The Alchemist and The Little Prince, as well as Miyazaki fans eager to understand one of his most important influences.
The Archer's Son
M.E. Hubbs - 2014
The breast of the mail bore a ragged hole and the heavy links were sticky. It took a moment for Hedyn to realize it was soaked in drying blood.“A bascinet and hauberk?” he asked.“Aye, you shall need these before the night is done.” . . . Treachery, disease, hunger, and death plague their steps as King Henry’s men near their fateful battle with the French army at Agincourt. Eager to see the world that lies beyond his small Cornish village, 12 year ol Hedyn, son of an archer and serf, is thrilled to be chosen to join King Henry’s army as it advances on Normandy. His excitement quickly gives way to exhaustion in body and spirit, as well as worry for the safety of his newfound friends and comrades. Can a mysterious stranger with a secretive past offer Hedyn hope amidst the horrors of battle?
Worldwalker
Jamie Dalton - 2022
Adalyn’s life as a cook in the king's kitchen, will soon end, when the spirits of the past reach out to her, warning that things are not all as they seem, in the Kingdom of Peiruin. Having long since rid itself of magic, the world has not seen a human with magical power, in five hundred years. Overwhelmed that her life may be forfeit, if her newfound abilities are discovered, Adalyn must find the strength to rise to the challenge of being the only worldwalker. On her quest to hone her magic, Adalyn enlists the help of the secret race of dwarves and elves and discovers she may be the key to saving them all -- or bringing the kingdom a war that’s long overdue.Write toAa
The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Vol. 3
Diana Wynne Jones - 2006
The third Chrestomanci omnibus edition features "Conrad's Fate" and "The Pinhoe Egg," with breathtaking new art to match the previous two volumes.
Point Horror: The R.L. Stine Special Edition
R.L. Stine - 1994
When Jenny visits her cousin, she is desperate to forget her traumatic past. Then Debra starts receiving the calls Jenny used to get - "I'm back. Company's coming..."
The White Giraffe / Dolphin Song (Animal Healer #1&2)
Lauren St. John - 2011
Don't Let Me Die!
Lindsay Caldwell - 1998
But the blinding headlights keep getting closer. Tires squeal. Glass shatters. Lucy screams. Everything goes black. Lucy wakes, expecting to walk away from the accident. But she can't walk!
Lola The Mermaid and The Splish Splash Olympics
Lily Lexington - 2012
A Taste Of Heaven
Meg Tilly - 2013
When Madison takes Alyssa under her wing, the two girls quickly bond over chocolate-chip cookies and become best friends. Amazingly, Alyssa doesn't even mind Madison's bratty sister!But there are some things Alyssa still won't share. Why won't she talk about her family? And why is she so reluctant to have Madison over to her house? She's harbouring a secret that could put their treasured friendship in jeopardy—and when Madison finds out by accident, Alyssa makes Madison promise not to tell anyone, not even Madison's parents.But should Madison tell them anyway? When is it all right to tell a little white lie... and when should you come clean with the truth?