Groundwood Books is a small Canadian Press and I can't for the life of me remember how I heard about them, but after reviewing their Spring 2006 catalog I am most delighted. The publish YA and children's books and here are a few that standout for me:

Being Muslim by Haroon Siddiqui: Groundwood does a whole series called the "Groundwood Guides" that tackle topical subjects and put them into a language that teenagers would both enjoy and learn from. Being Muslim includes discussion of Jihad, Muslim prayer, female circumcision, Sharia, polygamy, etc. It also looks at the various branches of Islam and delves into their history but "the focus is on the present". It looks like a great opportunity to finally learn about "those people" are like and written by a former president of PEN Canada, it looks like it couldn't be in better hands.

>Travels With My Family by Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel. This middle grade story just looks funny as all get out. It's about a family vacation told from the big brother's perspective about Mom who "seeks out beauty and inspiration and discourages nearisghted, tone-deaf Dad from pulling out the road map to search for yet another off the beaten track destination". It just looks like a nice pleasant story (with illustrations) and should be a pleasure to read.

The Illustrator's Notebook by Mohieddin Ellabbad. The author is an Egyptian whose books have received numerous prizes. Notebook is an account of his creative sources and how he grew up. He uses both words and illustrations to describe his inspiration and also provides insight into the "history and traditions" of Arabic literature.

When I Was a Boy Neruda Called Me Policarpo by Poli Delano. This is the illustrated memoir (for 9-12 year olds) of Delano and his childhood with the Nerudas who were friends of his parents. I can't imagine any other book like this about Neruda and any book that encourages interest in the Chilean writers sounds perfect.

Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak by Deborah Ellis. I can't imagine a more timely and impressive idea for a book than this. It's for ages 11 and up, and I really hope it lives up to its promising catalog copy: "This simple and telling book allows children just like themselves, but are living far more difficult, dangerous lives. The book does not take sides but it does present an unblinking portrait of how victimized these children are by the endless struggle that the adults around them seem unable or unwilling to resolve."

I'm really hoping I get to review some of these titles and I'll keep you posted on how that goes.