Discrimination, Difference and Prejudice- Secondary Booklist

Discrimination, difference and prejudice- secondary booklist

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

In Malorie Blackman's groundbreaking young adult novel, the population is divided into two: the white Noughts are second-class citizens, and the black Crosses are highly-revered and perceived as the superior race. 15-year-old Callum is a Nought, and his best friend, Sephy, as well as being a Cross, is also the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.

The story focuses on their relationship, which is frowned upon by society, and explores the discrimination they encounter at every turn. By reversing traditional racial stereotypes and presenting the White population as the oppressed race, Blackman has cleverly shown racial prejudice from a different perspective.

As well as being a compelling tale of love and friendship, this is an outstanding and thought- provoking exploration of the futility of prejudice. A contemporary classic.

Jackdaw Summer by David Almond

Reading Age: 8+ Interest level: 12+

It seems fate leads Liam to find an abandoned baby and as a result his life becomes entwined with that of Oliver, an African boy seeking asylum and Crystal, an emotionally damaged girl.

Acknowledging the connection between them, Liam helps them to escape the authorities who would deport Oliver. Liam learns about the horrors of real war, of young lives abused and families destroyed. The mock savagery of his games overflows into an anger that is too much for him to bear.

Friendship, loyalty and truth are explored through a cast of complex characters in this compelling story. While often tense, it ends on a note of hope.

1 The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

Born in a refugee camp, Subhi has never seen the outside world. At night, he dreams that the sea finds its way to his tent, bringing with it unusual treasures. And one day it brings him Jimmie: an illiterate young girl who lives near the refugee camp.

The Bone Sparrow is a beautiful, heartbreaking, hopeful and deeply moving novel that explores a tragic and relevant topic with incredibly skill. Fraillon doesn't shy away from showing the bleakness of the refugee camp, but the novel is anything but. Subhi's irrepressible spirit brightens the camp, and the novel itself. Subhi and Jimmie's discovery of friendship is a joy to read, and Subhi's relationship with his older sister and closest friend in the camp are also wonderfully depicted.

The Bone Sparrow is one of those rare, special books that will break your heart with its honesty and beauty, but is ultimately hopeful and uplifting.

In The Sea There Are Crocodiles by Fabio Geda

First published in Italian last year, the story of Enaiatollah Akbari's journey from Afghanistan to Italy has now been translated into English.

Enaiatollah's journey begins when his mother leaves him at a refugee camp in Pakistan, as she fears for his life if he stays with her in Afghanistan and is forced to do the most difficult thing a mother can do. From here Enaiatollah uses his wits and the help of fellow 'illegals' as he struggles to survive in search of a better life. This search takes him through Iran, Turkey, Greece and finally Italy on a journey full of

2 perils. On the way he does all kinds of jobs from selling sweets on the roadside to working on building sites in terrible working conditions and travels in various dangerous ways, under lorries, in inflatable dinghies and walking across mountains. He meets all sorts of people, those who try to stop him and a few that help him on his way, we learn the methods of people trafficking and the industry that has built up around it. Enaiatollah's story is told in an understated yet engaging way.

Shadow by Michael Morpurgo

Befriended by a brave and loyal stray dog, Shadow, Aman and his mother survive a treacherous trip across war-ravaged Afghanistan. But now they are in danger again - can Shadow help them one more time?

This is a candid exploration of the injustices of war, at home and away, and an unflinching account of the treatment of asylum seekers. The book includes explanatory notes on the war in Afghanistan and the Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre.