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sgrizzle's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
“Amira, sorrow’s fence has locked you in,” she says. “The only way out is through time.”
This middle grade novel told in verse chronicles one family’s experience with the Sudanese war through the eyes of their daughter Amira. I read another middle grade verse novel for last year’s Read Around the World and decided to do it again because of the differing perspective that gave. This was overall strong and I would encourage it for youth, it gives enough of the difficult content to land powerfully but doesn’t get too graphic, we spend the time focusing on how Amira understands it all and how she feels. The ending was abrupt and is why I rated this as I did, but it’s a worthwhile read.
This middle grade novel told in verse chronicles one family’s experience with the Sudanese war through the eyes of their daughter Amira. I read another middle grade verse novel for last year’s Read Around the World and decided to do it again because of the differing perspective that gave. This was overall strong and I would encourage it for youth, it gives enough of the difficult content to land powerfully but doesn’t get too graphic, we spend the time focusing on how Amira understands it all and how she feels. The ending was abrupt and is why I rated this as I did, but it’s a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and War
sometimes_samantha_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
My 5th grade students are doing mini-book-club novel studies in March for Reas Across America. Students will be doing projects at the end of month. My students are in pairs reading a wide variety of books. Two of them chose The Red Pencil from the school library. I had not read it before and wanted to read it in order to help them throughout the month.
It was a deep and reflective book. Sad at many times but glimmers of hopefulness and childhood throughout. I think my students will appreciate and learn from this more serious and "grown up" book.
It was a deep and reflective book. Sad at many times but glimmers of hopefulness and childhood throughout. I think my students will appreciate and learn from this more serious and "grown up" book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
qrb's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beautiful story looking at a family living in Sudan who have to leave their farm and the Life they have known and head for the safety of a refugee camp.
Written in Verse, the beauty and joy of little things and important things are reflected in the words and the feelings of our protagonist Amira stand out.
Theme of education, inner strength and family are all explored in here as well as a realistic but age appropriate portrayal of some people's experience in being displaced and living in a refugee camp.
Also includes physical disability rep in Leila, Amira's determined sister.
Really enjoyed this book and learnt alot. I want to read more from this author.
Written in Verse, the beauty and joy of little things and important things are reflected in the words and the feelings of our protagonist Amira stand out.
Theme of education, inner strength and family are all explored in here as well as a realistic but age appropriate portrayal of some people's experience in being displaced and living in a refugee camp.
Also includes physical disability rep in Leila, Amira's determined sister.
Really enjoyed this book and learnt alot. I want to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Grief, and Death of parent
ladykatka's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This a great book for middle grade and above. It helps kids understand the horrors of war without being overly graphic. It hits the sad emotional notes without being terrifying.
Might be triggering for those who lived in refugee camps or have lived through war.
Might be triggering for those who lived in refugee camps or have lived through war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Genocide and War