I Believe In Unicorns: rich in magic moments, full of love and hope

I Believe In Unicorns: rich in magic moments, full of love and hope

Michael Morpurgo often chooses war as a theme around which to wrap a story that isn’t really about war at all. In I Believe in Unicorns there is a war and it carries all the usual elements—and the war is pivotal to the story. But the story itself is about belief, acceptance, virtue, love and hope. It's told in the first person by Tomas who is remembering the time war came to his town. 
ages 6 years to grownup

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The Librarian of Basra: the value of culture - and one woman's great courage

The Librarian of Basra: the value of culture - and one woman's great courage

Set in Iraq. The true story of Alia Muhammad Baker - a middle aged Iraqi woman living in the town of Basra and working as a librarian. Alia knew that war was coming to Basra and she knew that war brings fire which would likely destroy the precious books. This is the remarkable and impressive story of her work to save them.
ages 4 years to grownup

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Let The Celebrations Begin!: a gentle and soft introduction to holocaust literature

Let The Celebrations Begin!: a gentle and soft introduction to holocaust literature

ages 4 years to grownup
Set in Europe, this is one of my absolute favourite books. It's a book to give perspective to small bingles and it's a book to plant notions of empathy, courage, and resilience in children. Definitely one to have in your home library, Let the Celebrations BEGIN! speaks across a wide range of age groups and relates to so many sets of circumstances.

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leads to eye-opening, heartbreaking and yet ennobling thoughts

leads to eye-opening, heartbreaking and yet ennobling thoughts

in / chapter books but good for adults and young adults too
There are obvious Holocaust themes - and the ordinariness of a friendship between two small boys - all made clearer by the lack of flowery descriptions or moralising tones. There are no upper age limits for reading and absorbing this wonderful story.

 

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