1 . You won’t need a passport for this trip around the globe, but you will need your favorite bookstore or library card. Reading stories from or set in other parts of the world is fun and helps kids appreciate other cultures. Go on a virtual vacation with these global reads. If you don’t know where to start, I’ve made a list of some of my favorites.

Sand Swimmers

by Narelle Oliver

Young wildlife enthusiasts know that Australia is full of fascinating creatures, especially in the strange and harsh desert region called the Dead Heart. In Sand Swimmers, Narelle Oliver combines science, natural history, and firsthand observations to uncover the unbelievably hardy species that live and thrive in this mysterious piece of Australian wilderness.

The Secret Kingdom

by Barb Rosenstock

The Secret Kingdom is a visually impressive biography of Nek Chand Saini, a village farmer who relocated to the city of Chandigarh after the 1947 partition of India. There, he gathered castoffs and small treasures to create a secret rock garden in the jungle — now a 40-acre sculpture garden open to the public. Rich watercolor illustrations capture the region’s natural beauty.

When Life Gives You Mangos

by Kereen Getten

A moving new middle grade novel, When Life Gives You Mangos centers the perspective of a young girl named Clara who lives on an island in Jamaica, a favorite place for tourists who throw around words like “exotic” about Clara’s home. Since last summer’s hurricane, though, the tourists are thinning out, and the biggest talk is about a new girl who’s moving to the island, whom Clara can’t wait to meet. A moving story about family, friendship, and resilience, it will also spark important conversations about traveling to others’ homes.

The Island of Horses

by Eilís Dillon

This classic adventure story, reissued in 2018, takes place off the western coast of Ireland on an island called Inishrone. Life on the remote island is anything but easy, but it’s all that friends Pat Conroy and Danny MacDonagh have ever known. Lured by the call of ghost stories, Pat and Danny set sail for the Island of Horses, a decision that launches them into a dangerous mystery. Come for the suspense, stay for the atmosphere: you’ll be able to taste the saltwater whipping through the air.

1. Which book has the related pictures inside?

A．Sand Swimmers.	B．The Secret Kingdom.
C．When Life Gives You Mangos.	D．The Island of Horses.

2. What effect does the hurricane bring about according to When Life Gives You Mangos?

A．Clara’s home was destroyed.	B．new girl will move to the island.
C．The number of visitors is shrinking.	D．onversations about traveling will be sparked.

3. Which of the following is True about The Island of Horses?

A．The book was first published in 2018.	B．The story is set on the coast of Ireland.
C．Life is hard on the remote island.	D．Pat and Danny went to the Island of Horses to look for treasures.