Books, videos, and websites for Third Culture Kids
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
Adam knows that war is breaking out in the Middle East, where he lives in the fictional city of Abudai. But instead of fleeing back to Australia with his family, Adam slips away to look for his faithful dog Tara. Lost in the desert, he makes an unlikely friend in a camel boy running from his master. They must overcome cultural and language barriers (with plenty of misunderstandings of course) as they try to survive together and become true friends.
Reading level: age 10-13 years (with occasional swear words so parents be advised)
Emily’s family moves from the US to Japan where her father is in charge of the small American school. In spite of her homesickness, she begins to make new friends and explore Japanese culture, and gradually she helps the other American kids in her school discover that it’s fun to learn about their overseas home, too. This book is set right after WWII and shows how Emily overcomes her fear of Japan and that people from both places can learn a lot about each other.
Reading level: age 8-12 years
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
Part of the Trailblazer series, this is the story of Joy Ridderhof of Gospel Recordings written from the perspective of Alastair Sutherland, son of Scottish missionaries on the Philippine island of Palawano in 1949. Alastair’s parents have longed for years to give the gospel to the local tribespeople in their own language, but since it is not written they do not have a way to do this. Then Alastair reads about Joy Ridderhof who with her portable recording machine makes records of the gospel message in tribal languages. The family is excited when Miss Ridderhof agrees to come to their island, especially because Alastair’s friend, Lastani, is chosen to translate. But when a series of problems jeopardizes both the making of the recordings and Alastair’s long-awaited trip to Manila to begin boarding school, Alastair finds it hard to follow Joy’s advice to view the roadblocks as “good rejoicing practice.”
Reading level: age 8-12 years
John Knight and his parents arrive in India where his father has been appointed junior magistrate in the Tinnevelly District. There John and his mother befriend Amy Carmichael who is involved in rescuing and caring for young girls sold as temple prostitutes (described vaguely as “the evil practices of the Hindu temples”). John and his mother become involved in the case of a 12-year old who has come to seek refuge from her uncle who has arranged her marriage to a 50-year old friend so he can gain control of her large inheritance. Unlike the boys in his British-run boarding school, John loves India and its people and learns Tamil to prepare himself to return as an adult to become an advocate for the poorest people of the country. His language skills become invaluable later when he is asked to help the girl one last time.
This book is part of the Trailblazer series that tells about famous Christians (mostly missionaries) through the eyes of children who come in contact with them.
Reading level: age 8-12 years