Books published by publisher Second ACT Press

It is 1972, and fifteen-year-old Sabine enjoys a comfortable life as the daughter of Indian parents living in Uganda. But her world is turned upside down when the country's military President, General Idi Amin, declares Indians must be "weeded out" of the country in ninety days. At first, Sabine does not believe that as Indians born in Uganda they will be forced to leave their beloved home. It all seems so unfair. But as the countdown continues, Sabine's eyes are opened to the poverty and hostility around her. She begins to realize that she has lived a life of privilege compared to most Ugandans. Even her best friend, Zena, turns away from her and tells her she does not belong. When Sabine's beloved Uncle goes missing and soldiers raid the family home, her father and mother are forced to flee. Sabine is left to take charge of her and her brother's fate, using all her strength and resilience to find a way to escape the Uganda that used to be her home.

Growing up in the shadow of a famous mother, Clara has never felt good about her body. Now, at sixteen, she has an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. After a social media disaster, she decides to escape for the summer to Paris to stay with her estranged dad and her six-year-old brother, Alastair, who is on the autism spectrum. Charged with his care, Clara and Alastair set out to explore the city. Paris, and a handsome young French baker, teaches Clara about first love, and a new love of food. And Alastair teachers Clara about patience, trust, and the beauty of loving without judgment.

Eleven-year-old Sibby Henry liked her old life. Now she's living in a new town with her nan and pops, and is mad at her dad for messing everything up. On her first day of school, she sees a dope skateboard park. But she can’t use it because her precious board is gone forever. To make things worse, Freddie, a super skater and a super jerk, dominates the park. Sibby tries to stay cool, but when Freddie gets in the face of Sibby’s friend Charlie Parker Drysdale, things get too hot for chill. Never one to back down, Sibby accepts when Freddie challenges her to a skateboarding competition. She won’t let anything stop her from proving herself.

From the author of Every Day is Malala Day. Because I am a Girl is a global initiative from Plan International to end gender inequality, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls out of poverty. Plan helped the UN declare October 11th the "International Day of the Girl" to recognize and advocate for girls’ rights globally. This book illustrates the Because I am Girl call to change by telling stories of girls around the world. They begin by telling us “Because I am a girl, I eat if there is food left over when everyone is done” and “I am the Poorest of the Poor.” But it ends with the inspiring section “Because I am a Girl, I can change the world.” Each part begins with one real girl’s story, illustrated with Plan’s amazing photographs.

Rachel Fletcher is eleven years old when she, her mother and sister are crammed on board the Exodus, a dilapidated vessel smuggling 4500 Jewish refugees risking their lives to reach Palestine, their biblical homeland. Despite all they had suffered during the Holocaust, Jewish refugees are still not wanted in many countries. Even a Canadian immigration officer famously said at the time “None is too many” when asked how many refugees Canada would take in. Nonetheless, Rachel and the other refugees refuse to give up hope when war ships surround them. Their fight, and the worldwide attention it brought, influenced the UN to vote for the creation of the state of Israel. Made famous by the Paul Newman film “Exodus”, this is the first book for young people about the ship that helped make history.

People come in a rainbow of beautiful colors. A little girl looks around her and sees that some people are blue, some are green, some are red…the world is a rainbow and Violet herself is a wonderful mixture of her mom and dad. Her mom is red, her dad is blue, and the little girl proudly announces: “I am proud to be violet… I am proud to be me… I am Violet!” A book for all babies and toddlers to celebrate the skin they are in.

Maiko has left his village in Tanzania far behind, moving to Canada with his aunt and uncle. When he thinks of home, he thinks of the beautiful big baobab tree at the center of the village. In his new home, Maiko feels a connection to the small spruce tree in the front yard—it's seven years old, the same age as he is. The tree sings to him and shares his secrets. When he learns that the roots of the tree are growing too close to the house, putting the little spruce in danger of being cut down, Maiko tries to save it. He knows all too well what it's like to be small and planted in the wrong place.

The remarkable true story of a young girl named Edith and the French village of Moissac that helped her and many other children during the Holocaust. The town's mayor and citizens concealed the presence of hundreds of Jewish children who lived in a safe house, risking their own safety by hiding the children from the Nazis in plain site, saving them from being captured and detained and most certainly saving their lives.