Forum

My high school has an international studies theme which defines one of two course strands that our students choose as a "major".  Students in our international studies strand take an international studies course each year; in their senior year course, the students also complete their senior project which is an exploration of an international issue.  The issues the senior project course focuses on are human rights and environmental issues.  Major thems are human exploitation (human trafficking, child soldiers, child labor), HIV-AIDS, poverty, the status of women and sustainability.  Students concentrate on one global issue within one country that they select.  They are required to study not only the problem but also to research solutions and to advocate for change.  I have built up a collection of books to support this project and am looking to expand on that collection. 

I'm finding it challenging to find lists of recommended books that the students can read as a means of stimulating their interest in their topics.  These books need to be readable narraatives that highlight and personalize the issue.  Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah is one title that works well.  Others include Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn and The Road to Lost Innocense by Somaly Mam.  They can be well-researched fiction titles too, like Sold by Patricia McCormack.  Most of the non-fiction titles are adult titles with appeal for young adults.  This makes it harder for me to find recommended lists.

Can anyone recommend websites or other sources for me to go and search for titles?  If you have your own lists, I'd love to have a look at them too.

Many thanks.