"Amira, look at me," Muma insists.
She collects both my hands in hers.
"The Janjaweed attack without warning.
If ever they come-- run."
Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in Nyala-- Amira's one true dream.
But life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the Janjaweed arrive. The terrifying attackers ravage the town and unleash unspeakable horrors. After she loses nearly everything, Amira needs to dig deep within herself to find the strength to make the long journey-- on foot-- to safety at a refugee camp. Her days are tough at the camp, until the gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind-- and all kinds of possibilities.
New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney's powerful verse and Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist Shane W. Evans's breathtaking illustrations combine to tell an inspiring tale of one girl's triumph against all odds.
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“Tells a moving story of the scarring effects of war but also brings a message
of hope and inspiration…The girl is given a red pencil; this simple gift
reveals a world of endless possibilities and imbues the tween with a strong
sense of agency…An engaging author note provides background on the political
situation in Sudan and explains the powerful motivations for telling this
story. An essential purchase that pairs well with Sylvia Whitman’s The Milk of Birds.”
—
School Library Journal (starred review)