From Another World

Mariano discovers an old Brazilian coffee plantation while exploring with his friends Leonardo and Elisa. During their visit, the children begin experiencing strange occurrences and encounter what appears to be the ghost of a young slave boy from the past. The children work to uncover the mysteries of the plantation's history and the story behind their supernatural encounters. Their investigation leads them through documents, family stories, and clues about Brazil's past involvement with slavery. Adults in the story, including the children's parents and a local historian, help piece together fragments of the past as the modern-day mystery develops. The narrative moves between present day and historical events from the plantation's past. The book examines how the legacy of slavery continues to impact Brazilian society, while exploring themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of confronting difficult historical truths. Through its dual timeline structure, it connects young readers to complex social issues through an accessible story format.

Readers appreciate the book's approach to teaching children about Brazil's history of slavery through an engaging mystery story. Parents and teachers note it handles complex themes in an age-appropriate way for 8-12 year olds. What readers liked: - Strong character development of both modern and historical figures - Educational value without feeling didactic - Cultural authenticity in depicting Brazilian life - Integration of supernatural elements with historical events Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the first few chapters - A few readers wanted more historical detail - Translation from Portuguese occasionally feels stiff Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (18 ratings) One teacher wrote: "Perfect for introducing discussions about slavery and social justice with middle grade students." A parent noted: "The ghost story element kept my reluctant reader engaged while learning about an important topic."

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🌟 Ana Maria Machado was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2000, considered the most prestigious international children's literature prize 🌎 The book explores Brazil's history of slavery through supernatural elements, making difficult historical topics accessible to young readers 📚 Originally published in Portuguese as "Do Outro Mundo," the book uses the device of a ghost story to connect past and present, allowing readers to understand historical injustices 🏆 The author has written over 100 books for children and adults, and her works have been translated into 18 languages 🎨 The story's structure of children uncovering historical mysteries in an old house was influenced by Brazilian oral storytelling traditions, particularly those preserving African-Brazilian cultural heritage