“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
Maria Isabel’s family moves, and she starts attending a new school two months after the school year began. Maria Isabel loves her name because she was named after her beloved grandparents, so when the teacher insists on calling her Mary (because there are already two Marias in the class), she has trouble adjusting. Although she quickly makes friends, she cannot figure out how to explain to her teacher that she does not like being called Mary. Finally, a writing assignment at the end of two very long months give her a chance to change things for the better.
Reading level: age 7-10 years
Ira’s best friend Reggie is moving away. Ira feels hurt when Reggie idealizes the new location and loses interest in spending time with Ira, and this leads to a fight. The story also illustrates by negative example how not to tell a child about a move. On a more positive note, Ira and Reggie reconcile before the move, and Ira realizes that Reggie felt sad, too. The story also talks about maintaining the friendship through visits and phone calls, which is not realistic for most TCKs, but might start a discussion of other ways of keeping in touch.
Reading level: age 4-7 years
His family is moving but Alexander has decided he’s not (and he means it!) going anywhere. He investigates other living arrangements while at the same time saying goodbye to people, places and things. His parents gently help him work through his feeling, until he finds himself packing. A humorous yet realistic look at a difficult situation.
Reading level: age 5-8 years
Five-year old Annie spends a month in Moscow with her parents, doctors who are working there in a hospital. When she first arrives, everything is unfamiliar – even the alphabet. Annie tries to cope with the unwelcome changes by withdrawing, but soon makes friends with Anya, a Russian girl at her daycare. Anya helps her learn Russian, and soon Annie is enjoying her new home. A touching portrayal of a child’s culture shock, especially when Annie comforts herself when overwhelmed with the Cyrillic writing around her by singing the alphabet song loudly to herself.
Reading level: age 6-9 years
