15 Jan Read Around the World: Teen Books Set in Different Countries
Want to travel but don’t have the time? Want to experience a new culture but not sure where to start? Try these stories set in different times and places around the world to see the world from a new perspective — without leaving the comfort of your home.
Where Wolves Don’t Die
by Anton Treuer
Ezra Cloud dislikes living in Northeast Minneapolis, far from his home at Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, and is troubled by a local bully, Matt Schroeder. After defending his friend Nora George in a fight with Matt, Ezra becomes a prime suspect when Matt’s house burns down that night. To protect him from an unfair investigation, Ezra’s family sends him to run traplines with his grandfather in a remote part of Canada. But it isn’t long before Ezra’s troubles come looking for him.
Salvacion
by Sandra Proudman
Inspired by the classic tale of Zorro, this story follows the exploits of Lola de la Peña, a woman of high standing who feels trapped by society’s expectations. To protect those she cares for, she dons the persona of Salvación while pretending to be the delicate lady her family expects her to be. One night, a woman arrives barely alive after her town is obliterated by the ambitious Hernández. Upon hearing the tale, Lola is determined to stop Hernández and put an end to his rule of terror as Salvación.
Magic Has No Borders
by Multiple Authors
Warriors, disappearances, star-crossed lovers, and ancient gods. If any of that sounds like an enjoyable time, these tales may be for you. This anthology contains a myriad of reimagined South Asian folktales and legends by fourteen authors that are sure to delight.
Four Eids and A Funeral
by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
Said Hossain has just returned home for the summer from boarding school and must face his ex–best friend, Tiwa Olatunji, while also trying to explain to his parents that he’d rather be an artist than a doctor. Tiwa has her own problems and plans to ignore him in return. Between her family’s issues and her mother organizing the upcoming Eid celebration at the Islamic Center, she has enough to deal with. But when the center catches fire and the mayor plans to demolish it entirely, the two must work together if they hope to change the mayor’s mind — hopefully in time to save a place that is so important to them.
When The World Was Ours
by Liz Kessler
Leo, Elsa, and Max are three friends who have just spent a perfect day together, unaware that the world is about to change. Europe is entering an age of strife, and the three of them will soon be pulled apart as their separate paths take them across the continent to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland. Will they be able to keep the friendship they have, or will they change to match the world around them?
Run Away With Me
by Brian Selznick
Danny is sixteen and spending his summer in Rome. He wanders the streets alone while his mother spends her days working at a local museum preserving books. He doesn’t know the city and has no destination—until he hears someone calling his name and Angelo steps into his life.
How Do You Live?
by Genzaburo Yoshino
After losing his father, fifteen-year-old Hondo Jun’ichi, nicknamed Copper, faces significant changes in his life, including dealing with the consequences of betraying his best friend. As he reflects on the changes in his life and the world around him, his uncle’s letters provide wisdom and a new perspective on life’s big questions. Offering guidance to Copper as he looks to the future and tries to find his place in the world.
– written by Alex B, Teen Central Library Assistant
