Memoirs from National Geographic Kids Books for ages 12 and up are intense, page-turners [Giveaway US/CANADA]

National Geographic Kids Books kicks off their Spring 2019 list with two page-turning memoirs that reveal what it’s like to live, adapt, love and persevere under the most unusual — and often times dangerous — of circumstances.  Whether growing up during a revolution half way around the world in Tehran or spending years living with a wolf pack in the wilds of Idaho, these are stories that inspire, provoke thoughtful consideration and widen the horizons of those that read them.

Taking Cover (ages 12+, $18.99, January 2019) by Nioucha Homayoonfar, forward by New York Times best-selling author of Funny in Farsi, Firoozeh Dumas

https://amzn.to/2BKo6HZ

This coming-of-age memoir, set during the Iranian Revolution, tells the true story of a young girl who moves to Tehran from the U.S. and has to adjust to living in a new country, learning a new language, and starting a new school during one of the most turbulent periods in Iran's history.

When five-year-old Nioucha Homayoonfar moves from the U.S. to Iran in 1979, its open society means a life with dancing, women's rights, and other freedoms. But soon the revolution erupts and the rules of life in Iran change. Religion classes become mandatory. Nioucha has to cover her head and wear robes. Opinions at school are not welcome. Her cousin is captured and tortured after he is caught trying to leave the country. And yet, in the midst of so much change and challenge, Nioucha is still just a girl who wants to play with her friends, please her parents, listen to pop music, and, eventually, have a boyfriend. Will she ever get used to this new culture? Can she break the rules without consequences? Nioucha's story sheds light on the timely conversation about religious, political, and social freedom, publishing in time for the 40th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.


In the mid 1970’s Nioucha Homayoonfar’s French mother and Iranian father made a decision that would change her life forever. At the age of five, Nioucha and her parents moved from Pittsburgh to her father’s homeland of Iran, at the time a modern, bustling country where people from different religions co-existed peacefully and women and men alike pursued the highest level of education and professional opportunities. A new school, new language, and new friends took some time to get used to.  But none of that compared to the changes that Nioucha experienced during and after the Iranian revolution of 1979. Once the Ayatollah took control, full robes and head scarves were required, religion classes became mandatory and boys were no longer allowed to interact with girls.  Her life continued to be filled with family, friends, pop music and even her first boyfriend (although both the music and the boyfriend were strictly prohibited), but Tehran had become barely recognizable as bombs were dropped on her neighborhood, loved ones and even Nioucha herself were kidnapped, acquaintances were executed and day by day, their freedom was chipped away.     Publishing in time for the 40th anniversary of the Iranian revolution, Taking Cover reveals the extraordinary story of Nioucha’s struggle to adjust, to understand and to figure out her place in the world while unrest and oppression swirled around her.  Additionally, this title is a unique blend of coming-of-age storytelling and history. Coupled with a thought-provoking forward by New York Times best-selling author Firoozeh Dumas (Funny in Farsi) Taking Cover encourages readers to take a deeper look at the importance of protecting religious, political, and social freedoms while Nioucha's vivid descriptions of Iranian life — the food, the smells, and its customs — exposes readers to a country and culture rarely written about.

Running with Wolves: Our Story of Life with the Sawtooth Pack (ages 9-12, $16.99, hardcover) by Jim & Jamie Dutcher 

https://amzn.to/2s1dnUV

Discover the wonder of wolves from Emmy-award winning filmmakers Jim and Jamie Dutcher as they tell their story of the six years they watched, learned about, and lived with the Sawtooth wolf pack.

Adventure, friendship, and family come together in this riveting memoir as two award-winning filmmakers take you through the experience of the years they spent living in the wild with a real-life wolf pack. Jim and Jamie set out to show the world that instead of fearsome beasts, wolves are social, complex, and incredible creatures that deserve our protection. Deep in the mountain wilderness of Idaho, they set up Wolf Camp, where they spent years capturing the emotional, exciting, and sometimes heartbreaking story of their pack.

Meet Kamots, the fearless leader. Learn from wise Matsi. Explore the forest with shy Lakota. And watch as adorable pups grow from silly siblings to a devoted pack. See how these brave wolves overcome all odds, battling mountain lions and frigid temperatures. Most of all, discover the surprising kindness, compassion, and devotion that Jim and Jamie discovered by living with wolves.

On a clear, cold morning, Jim and Jamie Dutcher emerged from their campsite to come face to face with their only neighbors: a pack of wolves.  The leader, Kamots, intently moved closer — close enough to touch.  He was enormous, with powerful muscles, intelligent eyes and startlingly sharp teeth. But the Dutchers weren’t afraid.  And neither was Kamots; he drew close and gave a quick lick, as he did every morning — a greeting reserved only for kin.  Adventure, friendship, and family come together in this riveting memoir as two Emmy award-winning filmmakers take young readers into the world of a real-life wolf pack.  Jim and Jamie set out to prove that instead of fearsome beasts, wolves are social, complex, and incredible creatures that deserve our protection. Deep in the mountain wilderness of Idaho, they set up Wolf Camp, where they spent years capturing the emotional, exciting, and sometimes heartbreaking story of this amazing pack.

Every chapter is filled with adventure of the highest order and Jim and Jamie weave a powerful and moving story — from the arrival of the first of the Sawtooth Pack to the tearful goodbye years later when Jim and Jamie knew their work was done, as painful a decision as that proved to be. Through first person narrative and an 8-page full color insert featuring the Dutcher’s photos, Jim and Jamie reveal how these brave wolves battled mountain lions, faced frigid temperatures and overcame all odds. Most of all, readers will discover the surprising kindness, compassion, and devotion that two humans experienced by living with wolves.

~ GIVEAWAY ~

Both books: "Running With Wolves" & "Taking Cover"

Open to USA/Canada

Begins December 28, 2018

Ends January 21, 2019 at 12:01 a.m. EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary copies on behalf of National Geographic Kids Books to facilitate this post. Information is provided by publicist and/or public sources. Giveaway copies are provided and shipped directly to the winner by publicist or publisher.