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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
quick easy read. nothing special or to note, but i probably like turtles more than this kid.
fun to learn about oman a bit though, and i guess there was a nice grandfather relationship too
fun to learn about oman a bit though, and i guess there was a nice grandfather relationship too
adventurous
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is about boy, Aref, who is moving away from his home in Oman to the United States and him dealing with his feeling regarding that and reflecting on what he is going to miss in Oman. This is a book that was picked for the Brave Writer program and I was glad that I've read it. I don't think I've ever read a book that takes place in Oman and it was nice to learn more about that area. I think the book will give parents and kids a lot to talk about with differing cultures and moving to new places.
Interesting story. I would have liked to have seen how it went once they made it to America... but over all wonderful story.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
One of the more beautiful slice of life books I've read in recent years, with an exceptional sense of joy of living. When I hear people speak of home they loved and love still, the tone of comfort and peaceful familiarity in their stories - this book has that. Character growth, travel, upheaval: all that is here in the kindest way possible, and all embedded in the sense that home is an accretion of cherished layers.
This is the first Nye book I've read which wasn't straight poetry, and to my great happiness, the prose is as moving. Here, I miss a selfness I've never been, and am reminded that the selfness I am is equally valuable.
This is the first Nye book I've read which wasn't straight poetry, and to my great happiness, the prose is as moving. Here, I miss a selfness I've never been, and am reminded that the selfness I am is equally valuable.
A charming story of a boy coming to terms with his family moving from Oman to Michigan. The language reflects the fact that the author is a poet — at times lyrical and vivid, other times overly structured and a bit stilted — but the slices of Omani culture, geography, and everyday life are wonderful. I loved the relationship between Aref and his siddi, his grandfather, and the fears and concerns Aref has about moving a world away are relatable and sweetly told. Now I want to visit the turtle beaches and desert camps of Oman and sample fresh flat bread, salty cheese, and dried dates in the markets of Muscat.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I came into this book expecting a story about a boy who doesn't want to leave his home, and that turtles would tie into the story prominently. Instead, I was a bit confused when they were only mentioned a few times in the book (they mention rocks and Aref's rock collection a lot more).
I love the cover art, and I enjoyed the activities suggested in the back of the book, like using Google Maps to see some of the places mentioned in this story - it helped bring the book to life for me a little more.
The main character's relationship with his grandfather is touching and sweet! However, I feel that the wayward plot of this book took away from the power of that relationship sometimes. First, we're hanging out with Grandpa, and it's super special, right? We're going to miss him so much! When it's time to go home, we go home and we get an extra tight hug - and the reader assumes this is the last time we're going to be seeing Grandpa for a while. But in a few pages, Grandpa is here again, for dinner or to take Aref camping. The mom keeps sending Aref away because she has things to do before they leave. And so on and so on...after a while, it felt like that week was dragging on, and I couldn't wait for the airplane to come.
My favorite part of the book was when they traveled to the Night of A Thousand Stars camp and met Jamal, the falconer. In general, I found the camping/road trip sequence to be atmospheric and enchanting.
Overall, I'm not sure I would recommend this book, because I felt like the story could have been presented more powerfully in fewer pages. Ideally, I would have liked to see the beginnings of Aref's life in America, and more exploration of his relationship with his parents, the Ph.D. students, but perhaps that is another book for another time.
(#22 - A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009)
I love the cover art, and I enjoyed the activities suggested in the back of the book, like using Google Maps to see some of the places mentioned in this story - it helped bring the book to life for me a little more.
The main character's relationship with his grandfather is touching and sweet! However, I feel that the wayward plot of this book took away from the power of that relationship sometimes. First, we're hanging out with Grandpa, and it's super special, right? We're going to miss him so much! When it's time to go home, we go home and we get an extra tight hug - and the reader assumes this is the last time we're going to be seeing Grandpa for a while. But in a few pages, Grandpa is here again, for dinner or to take Aref camping. The mom keeps sending Aref away because she has things to do before they leave. And so on and so on...after a while, it felt like that week was dragging on, and I couldn't wait for the airplane to come.
My favorite part of the book was when they traveled to the Night of A Thousand Stars camp and met Jamal, the falconer. In general, I found the camping/road trip sequence to be atmospheric and enchanting.
Overall, I'm not sure I would recommend this book, because I felt like the story could have been presented more powerfully in fewer pages. Ideally, I would have liked to see the beginnings of Aref's life in America, and more exploration of his relationship with his parents, the Ph.D. students, but perhaps that is another book for another time.
(#22 - A children’s or middle grade book (not YA) that has won a diversity award since 2009)
A lovely, eye-opening look into life in another culture.