The Seattle Public Library's 2024 Global Reading Challenge books tell stories about many things, including a Navajo water monster, a magic button, and a rescue Chihuahua with a destiny to rule the world.
Now in its 29th year, the Global Reading Challenge is a reading incentive program between the Library and Seattle Public Schools (SPS). Fourth and fifth graders enrolled in SPS of all reading abilities read the books together and team up for trivia competitions. The semi-finals and City Final competitions, which happen in March 2024, will be in person once again this year! Find out more at spl.org/GRC.
The Global Reading Challenge lineup includes eight wonderful titles that tell stories from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds and are by authors with a cultural connection to the story they are telling. You can learn about the books from our children's librarians in this video, or read about them below.
The Jumbies, by Tracey Baptiste
Jumbies are creatures that come out at night to steal children or lure them in harm's way. In this Caribbean fairytale, brave 11-year-old Corinne La Mer doesn't believe in Jumbies at first. Eventually she must call on her courage and an ancient magic to stop an evil spirit and save her island home.
Our librarian says: "During her journey with her friends, Corinne discovers her true origins. Does she save her father? What is Corinne's origin? Who is this evil stepmother? Read 'The Jumbies' to find out."
Invisible, by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Can five overlooked kids make one big difference? Stuck together when they're forced to complete their school's community service hours, five Spanish-speaking kids are sure they have nothing in common with one another, even though some people see them as all the same. Then they meet someone who truly needs their help.
Our librarian says: "The five students must decide whether to be willing to expose their own secrets to help or if staying invisible is the only way to survive high school."
The Button Box, by Bridget Hodder and Fawzia Gilani-Williams
With the help of a magic button, Jewish Ava and Muslim Nadeem go back in time to ancient Morocco. Their mission is to help Prince Abdur Rahman escape to Spain and fulfill his destiny as the ruler of a country in which Jews and Muslims work together to make medieval Spain a center of science, mathematics, music, and poetry.
Our librarian says: "Some buttons are special. Ava and her cousin Nadeem discovered this one day after a tough day of school when they were both bullied for their religions. If you like time travel, adventure, mystery, or conniving cats, you should check out this book."
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