(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Fahmida Azim. "Water can trick us," believes eleven-year-old Samira, recounting how the river had swallowed her grandparents as her family fled persecution in Burma. As unregistered Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, mired in poverty, resented by locals, and under constant fear of deportation, Samira's family lives in the shadows. Selling snacks on the beach to support her loved ones, Samira feels the acute loss of home, family, and c­ommunity. As she befriends other girls like her, and they learn to surf in secret, her relationship to water changes from ­trepidation to exhilaration. When she decides to take part in a surfing competition, Samira must navigate stringent gender norms; happily, the girls band together to uplift one another. Interspersed with black-and-white sketches, the spare verse contrasts Samira's carefree past and her present-day reality. Exploring fear and freedom in equal measure, the author presents a complex picture by relating the historical oppression and political exclusion of the Rohingya with Samira's trauma and the challenges of resettlement. Samira's ability to be both "grateful and angry" gives her a multifaceted personality that draws readers' empathy. Samira's story (one of few that highlight the plight of the Rohingya refugee community; see also the 2019 picture book The Unexpected Friend) is a testament to how inner courage and the spirit of sisterhood can help brave any storm.

Reviewer: Sadaf Siddique | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2021

(3) K-3 CitizenKid series. Illustrated by Rebecca Green. Fictional Bangladeshi boy Iqbal builds an inexpensive solar cooker to win the school science fair; with his prize money he also buys his mother a healthy gas stove to avoid the harmful smoke from an open fire indoors. Information on clean cookstoves and DIY instructions round out this excellent resource for thinking about science and daily life in other countries. Colored-pencil illustrations effectively render monsoon-season Bangladesh. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 River Adventures series. Each volume in this boilerplate series examines the role of the eponymous river in the cities, regions, and landmarks through which it flows. Well-selected photographs and maps illustrate the texts, which are accessible and inclusive, addressing issues such as pollution along the Yangtze and the religious significance of the Ganges to Hindus. A quiz concludes each book. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these River Adventures titles: Ganges River and Yangtze River.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Hogan. On India's Sunderbans islands, Neel, a boy with promise, might earn a scholarship to a boarding school in Kolkata. Neel's father joins the hunt for a valuable escaped tiger cub in order to pay for a tutor. Fast-paced action, references to the local flora and fauna, and clearly laid-out moral dilemmas come together in a satisfying way in this environmental adventure. Glos.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2015

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jamel Akib. This inspiring biography of Bengali "Banker to the Poor" Muhammad Yunus begins with precepts he learned in childhood. Yunus's path to becoming an economist known for small, low-interest loans to the impoverished ("microcredit") and to receiving the Nobel Peace Prize is back-dropped by striking chalk-pastel illustrations in vibrant colors. An afterword with more information about Grameen Banks is included. Bib.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Doug Chayka. In Bangladesh, young Yasmin and her little sister, Mita, must work hard wielding their hammers, breaking old clay bricks into pieces to make new roads. Yasmin earns enough extra money to buy a book and convinces her parents of the importance of reading and education. Rich-hued oil paintings show the busy city streets of Dhaka and the family's small home. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jamie Hogan. Ten-year-old Naima paints alpanas, decorative patterns adorning Bangladeshi homes. But disguising herself as a boy seems the only way to contribute earnings to her household. Ultimately, Naima figures out how to earn money with her talents--no disguise necessary. Perkins depicts a rural Bangladesh on the verge of change. Black-and-white drawings provide glimpses into Naima's dynamic world. An author's note is appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2007

(4) YA Modern World Nations series. With their emphasis on geography, history, and contemporary political and economic problems, these volumes are suitable for report writers. Some attention is given to daily life and culture, but the series tends to focus on development issues and conflicts, with the authors sometimes offering their own solutions. The photographs vary in quality. A "Facts at a Glance" section is included. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers these Modern World Nations titles: Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Israel.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 World Cultures series. These books explore the customs and history of the Sherpas of Nepal and the people living along the Ganges River in the city of Varanasi. Each begins with geography and continues with daily life, education, recreation, and celebrations. The large-font text can be simplistic, but the many photographs are compelling. An extension craft or activity is included. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World Cultures titles: Living in the Himalaya and Living on the Ganges River.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Rivers through Time series. Each book focuses on the cities bordering the titular river using short chapters, timelines, and maps to cover the history and geography of the Indus and Ganges rivers. Current concerns about pollution and trade relations on the rivers are addressed in some depth. Clear photographs, maps, and charts extend the text. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Rivers Through Time titles: Settlements of the Indus River and Settlements of the Ganges River.

Reviewer: Lauren Aimonette LIang

(4) 4-6 Countries of the World series. Moving quickly through an overview section, these books then feature closer looks at selected topics, including health and the fight against polio in Bangladesh, feng shui (the art of placing objects to bring about harmony) in Taiwan, and wildlife conservation in Jordan. While the captions sometimes interrupt the flow of the competent text, the photos are often striking. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Countries of the World titles: Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Jordan.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cheryl Kirk Noll. Based on the model of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, this story explains how Sufiya and four other women get a collective loan and start five micro-businesses, earning money to better their lives and pay back the loan. The accurate, detailed watercolors display the village setting, the work, and the problems the women must overcome. An author's note goes into greater detail.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Country Fact Files series. This busy country study is packed with information boxes, lots of facts and statistics, and unexceptional color photographs. The broad range of topics covered includes Bangladesh's people, natural resources, industry, and transportation. Problems of overpopulation, poverty, and an unstable government are discussed but somewhat downplayed in this flatly written but generally informative overview. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta

(3) 4-6 Cultures of the World series. These thorough overviews trenchantly examine each country's geography, history, and government. The accessible texts and appealing color photographs also focus on engaging topics such as festivals, foods, and leisure activities, giving readers a sense of everyday life in these varied cultures. Maps and a page of basic facts are included. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Peter D. Sieruta