Christopher Banks, an English boy born in the early 1900s in Shanghai, is taken back to England as an orphan when first his father, then his mother disappear under mysterious circumstances. After he grows up to become a renowned detective in England, he returns to Shanghai to solve his parents’ disappearances, just as China’s war with the Japanese is heating up. Written in first person, Christopher’s early reminiscences about his childhood, and especially about his friendship with the Japanese neighbor boy touch on some familiar TCK experiences. But the experiences of the adult Christopher are surreal and the tone of the book changes as he ventures into a war zone trying to locate his parents, his judgement and perceptions distorted as he loses touch with reality. Although the mystery is resolved in the end, the experiences of the adult Christopher will not probably strike any chords with anyone who has not experienced a complete break with reality. Nevertheless, a well-written book by a talented author who personally experienced moving between countries as a child.
This is the first volume of Rumer Godden’s autobiography. She was born in England but moved to India when she was a baby, where she lived half her life. This book covers the years 1907-1946 and tells the story of Godden’s enchanting childhood in India as a TCK, her marriage to a charming but unreliable stockbroker, her life after his abandonment having to raise two children poor and alone, and finally the publication and success of her early novels. A Time to Laugh, No Time to Weep shows Rumer Godden’s understanding of loss, suffering and withstanding long endurance.
This is a fictional story about a British MK attending elementary school at Chefoo School in Malaysia in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It’s written as reflections of her school experiences and adventures in Malaysia since she is about to start a new boarding school in England.
Reading level: age 9-12
In simple language, the author tells the true story of Rudyard Kipling, who spent his early childhood in India, and returned there after completing his education in England. Because his ayah and servant told him (in Hindi) about their views of the world and of religion, Kipling struggled when he was left in England with a family who allowed no questions about their way of doing things. This story focuses mostly on Kipling’s childhood and young adulthood.
Reading level: age 9-12 years
“My second life began when I was kidnapped by two complete strangers. My mother, who assisted in the kidnapping, said I was exaggerating.”
Dinnie is used to moving around the USA with her parents since her dad is always chasing after new “opportunities.” But this time she’s been taken out of the country by her aunt and uncle and she had no say in her future. Dinnie ends up in an international school in Lugano, Switzerland where everything is new and different and people speak Italian! Will she adapt to a new home and new friends with totally different beliefs and cultures or close herself off to protect herself and just survive?
Reading level: age 8-12 years
Eleven year old Nick and his family move to England for two years because of his father’s business. Nick finds everything unfamiliar and wants to return home to Ohio, but he makes an agreement with his father to give it four months. While his older brother attends an International school, Nick and his younger brother attend typical British schools. There Nick struggles with all the new things he encounters, but he also makes friends, gets involved in new activities, and gets a new pet to keep in his closet.
Reading level: age 8-13 years
