CCBC Booklists

CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

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Mishka

by Edward van de Vendel, Anoush Elman

CCBC Review:

When it finally sinks in that they are no longer moving, that her family is finally settled in a home of their own, that the refugee center is in the past, nine-year-old Roya (Afghan) announces that her family needs a pet. “What?” her three older brothers and her mother and father exclaim. That is how Mishka, a white dwarf rabbit, becomes part of Roya’s family. Roya explains to Mishka how her family became citizens of the Netherlands after their long journey from Afghanistan when she was three years old. Talking to Mishka and seeking comfort in his soft white fur is something Roya does intuitively. Each family member has their own connection to the rabbit as well. Gentle Hamayun knows the best way to pet Mishka, while Papa feeds him lettuce leaves. He’s so comfortable with Mama that he pees on her. Brother Navid takes pictures of Mishka for Roya’s school presentation. Bashir, the biggest brother, helps to search the neighborhood when Mishka escapes from his hutch. Having Mishka helps the family share individual and collective memories from their long, difficult journey. Short chapters with fresh, lively dialogue are accentuated with warm, full-color illustrations. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

Illustrated by Annet Schaap
Translated by Nancy Forest-Flier. Translated from Dutch. Originally published in the Netherlands.

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-10
Age Range: PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7) Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format: Novel
Subjects: Afghan and Afghan Americans Animals (Fiction) Families Immigration and Immigrants Pets School Stories and Storytelling Trauma
Diversity subject: Asian Muslim
On CCBC Booklists: Global Reading: Selected Books for Children and Teens Set in Other Countries Family Read-Alouds

Publisher: Levine Querido
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 151
ISBN: 9781646144587
CCBC Location: Fiction, Van de Vendel

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