Fall 2023

Desde las copas de los árboles (From the Tops of the Trees)

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 3
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

A powerful true story of a young girl who has never known life outside a refugee camp and a father determined to help her dream big, now translated into Spanish. At Ban Vinai Refugee Camp, Kalia spends her days playing with cousins, chickens, and dogs. When she asks her father if all of the world is a refugee camp, he climbs with her to the top of a tree so she can see the world beyond the fences that confine them. Yang’s evocative prose is accompanied by atmospheric illustrations from Rachel Wada in a story that encourages readers of all ages and circumstances to believe in their dreams.

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979-8-7656-0924-8
$12.99
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$22.99
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Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 3
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books, Social Studies
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Immigration & Refugees, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2023
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language Spanish
Number of Pages 40
Publication Date 2023-08-01
Text Type Narrative Nonfiction
BISACS JNF007050, JNF053240, JNF019060
Dewey 362.7/7914
Dimensions 8.5 x 10.375
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Original artwork, and Reviewed

Author: Kao Kalia Yang

Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American writer, teacher and public speaker. Born in the refugee camps of Thailand to a family that escaped the genocide of the Secret War in Laos, she came to America at the age six. Yang holds degrees from Carleton College and Columbia University. Her work includes creative nonfiction, poetry, and children's books such as A Map into the World, The Shared Room, and From the Tops of the Trees. Her work has won numerous awards and recognition including multiple Minnesota Book Awards, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, an ALA Notable Children's Book Award, the 2023 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, Dayton's Literary Peace Prize, and a PEN USA Award in Nonfiction.

Illustrator: Rachel Wada

Rachel Wada was raised between Japan and Hong Kong and is currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has created illustrations for magazines, newspapers, advertising, and even a mural. Her work has won multiple awards including the Freeman Award for The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden and the 2023 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for From The Tops Of The Trees. Visually, Rachel's works are characterized by the use of rich colours, textures, and fine details through both digital and traditional mediums.

Awards

  • The Best Children's Books of the Year in Spanish, Winner, 2024

Reviews

Booklist

“In any language, Kalia’s story is one of resilience and youthful awe . . . Along with such a moving true story, Wada’s artwork underpins the poignant reality of Yang’s words in watercolor depictions of Kalia’s memories in muted yellows and bold oranges that help unfold the story.”— Booklist