Teacher Tea
Middle Grade Marvels: Exploring Translated Stories for Young Readers
The School Library Journal has reviewed seven middle-grade books in translation, in the aptly titled, “7 Middle Grade Books In Translation.” The books that were evaluated are summarized below, and you can read more detailed reviews in the original article:
- Head in the Clouds (from Spanish): This picture book features an imaginative girl and her teacher, but the abstract artwork may confuse some readers.
- Tilted Sky (from Chinese): This novel explores homelessness and abuse, but its adult themes, unclear plot, and intense language make it unsuitable for most middle-grade readers.
- Creepy Classroom (from French): A lighthearted horror story about a boy who discovers zombie students in the school library, perfect for reluctant readers.
- The Curse of Madame Petrova (from Dutch): A fantasy tale about twin siblings who must escape a family curse, reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events.
- Griso: The One and Only (from Portuguese): A beautifully illustrated picture book about a unicorn searching for a companion, showcasing various art styles throughout history.
- Amu Nowruz and His Violets (from Persian): A gentle folktale about the Persian New Year, featuring stunning illustrations that contrast winter and spring.
- The Picture Visitors (from German): A mystery novel about a boy who can enter paintings, combining art history with an exciting adventure.
Works that come from other cultures allow students to access worldviews and experiences that differ from their own. Literature is powerful for this very reason: its ability to provide a window into another person’s life and demonstrate our common humanity. This is essential for developing empathy. And it is difficult to develop empathy for others if the only perspectives that we see are our own.
Books that reflect other cultures also provide access to new and diverse ideas, which helps cultivate greater intellectual awareness as well. Translated literature allows students to explore stories and experiences that may otherwise remain inaccessible, and that enriches their understanding of the world. Moreover, such books can support multilingual students by affirming their cultural heritage and encouraging pride in their linguistic backgrounds. Teachers have the opportunity to create a more global learning environment by incorporating translated works, as long as they are appropriate for their grade level.
Where can we find books that our students want to read? To discover books that truly resonate with our students, we might broaden our search beyond traditional English-language literature. Exploring works translated from other languages and cultures can introduce us to compelling stories that might otherwise remain hidden from our students' reading lives.