The Unforgotten Coat by Frank Cottrell Boyce is an interesting story told in an unusual way. Julie is in sixth grade when two Mongolian boys in fur coats arrive in her classroom: Chingis is a bit mouthy to the teacher and demands that his silent younger brother Nergui stay with him to be protected from a demon. Julie is fascinated by these boys who are so different, and when they decide that she is their Good Guide, she's thrilled and does her best to learn about their culture and help them adapt. Interspersed throughout the story are Polaroid pictures which Chingis uses to explain his homeland, but Julie eventually learns that the boys are illegal immigrants fearful of being deported, and the pictures aren't quite what they appear to be. The book is both touching and humorous; it would be terrific for a book club or group discussion.
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