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Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2015-03-11

Red Pencil

Red Pencil

Andrea Davis Pinkney, Author

Shane W Evans, Illustrator

Paperback

SKU:9780316247825

Regular price $8.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $8.99 USD
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"After her tribal village is attacked by militants, Amira, a young Sudanese girl, must flee to safety at a refugee camp, where she finds hope and the chance to pursue an education in the form of a single red pencil and the friendship and encouragement of a wise elder."

  • Make Way for Books Annotation

Told in free verse, this is a tale of survival and the human spirit. The African land of Darfur is the home of Amira, a young girl with hopes and dreams of going to school. But her village is very poor, and her mother believes she must forgo learning and focus on her family. When neighboring Sudanese tribes attack and her father is killed, Amira, her mother, and sister must leave and make the perilous journey to one of the refugee camps. Crowding, starvation, and loss of loved ones take their toll on Amira until one day she is given a red pencil which becomes an opportunity to communicate her thoughts and dreams.

Readability • 4.5

Age Range • 8-12

Pages • 368

Subjects • Refugees • Education • Blacks • Sudan • Novels in verse • Fiction • Juvenile works

Categories • Juvenile Fiction | Historical | Africa • Juvenile Fiction | Places | Africa • Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Violence • Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Poverty & Homelessness • Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Prejudice & Racism • Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry) • Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women

★ "Amira's thoughts and drawings are vividly brought to life through Pinkney's lyrical verse and Evans's lucid line illustrations, which infuse the narrative with emotional intensity.... An essential purchase." --School Library Journal, starred review

The powerful story of one girl's triumphant journey, inspired by true tales of life in Sudan, written by a New York Times bestselling and award winning author

"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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