In 1928, when timid ten-year-old Nate learns that his parents have been lost at sea, he joins his father's cousin on a flight to Arabia where they must oversee the death and rebirth of the phoenix, thus beginning his training as a "beastologist."

"Yusuf is excited to start middle school in his small Texas town, but with the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 attacks coming up, suddenly it feels like the country's same anger and grief is all focused on his Muslim community."--

Laos enjoys his life in ancient Turkey. His father and grandfather are famous for crafting gold into beautiful objects, and Laos helps in their market stall, bartering golf for food and livestock. But exchanging such different goods is complicated. They need something to represent the value of their goods -- and so the king gives Laos's family the very important task of creating the world's first currency

Yosef and Estrella have spent their whole lives in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. When they move to the city, they face a strange, unfamiliar world. Will their love survive the surprises of their new home? A funny and charming folktale-like story of mistaken identities.

"Since the passing of their father, Omar has tried--to be the man of his family of Syrian refugees. As Omar waits in line for rations, longing for the books he left behind when his family fled their home, Sufyan explores more nontraditional methods to provide for his family. Ignoring his brother's warnings, Sufyan gets more and more involved with a group that provides him with big rewards for doing seemingly inconsequential tasks"--

A Girl Named Mary tells the story of Mary, the Mother of Jesus as a young girl. Though she has a much older sister, she's raised as an only child. Her cousin, Rebekka, is her closet friend and confidant. Together they grow and learn to maneuver in a culture steeped in tradition. One that looks backward instead of forward for solutions to problems. Mary cares about others, helps the sick and disadvantaged and is a voice, albeit a young voice, for women.At...

Twelve-year-old Nathan lives in first-century Jerusalem with his family. More than anything, he wants to follow in his father's footsteps and serve God as a priest in the temple. But since he is crippled and uses crutches, Nathan knows that it is impossible for him to be a priest. Nathan studies at the synagogue school, celebrates Jewish festivals at his home and at the temple, and helps his family as best he can. But he hates his weak, shriveled...

Enthusiastic but accident-prone Dinosaur accompanies a young boy on a visit to Israel.

The Prophet Muhammad is besieged on all sides by his enemies. Then God sends him some unlikely helpers in the form of a pair of doves and a spider. Told from their perspective, this retelling of a classic true story from the Prophet's life weaves a tale that shows how even the smallest of us can have a great destiny. Stunningly illustrated in a unique silhouette style by the author, The Spider and the Doves will enchant and enlighten children of all...

"Yatandou lives in a Mali village with her family and neighbors. And though she is only eight years old and would much rather play with her pet goat, she must sit with the women and pound millet kernels. To grind enough millet for one day's food, the women must pound the kernels with their pounding sticks for three hours. It is hard work, especially when one is eight years old. But as they work, the women dream of a machine that can grind the millet...