Reviews

The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold

iamasam28's review against another edition

4.0

I want really sure what to expect with this but it was a surprisingly fun magic realism. I'm not sure if there is any Haitian folklore in this but I wouldn't be surprised if there was. The author was really able to capture life from an immigrants perspective but more surprisingly a child immigrant. Several times I found myself questioning if this was in fact written by an adult because it was so child like (in the best way possible). I will definitely be recommending this to young readers.

melissarea's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the_villager's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

3.75

piecesofamber's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Blood, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

sparklysophia's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted

3.75

katara42's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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? Yes

4.0

carolynj_reads's review against another edition

4.0

This is an engaging example of magical realism that focuses on Gabrielle, a Haitian girl newly arrived in Brooklyn. Desperate to fit in, she makes a deal with a witch that costs her many things. Great book to use for character and motive, as well as being proud of who you are and the importance of differences making us special.

dietcokealp's review against another edition

3.0

Haiti, witch, rat etc.

n_g_reader's review against another edition

3.0

The story of this book was so compelling and provides a great way for readers to understand the importance of diversity, especially for an individual (the importance of heritage languages and family). It's a great way to talk about assimilation and how we treat and value immigrants and why people might do or say the things they do. It's also really great for understanding Haitian culture and storytelling.
However, this clearly read as a debut novel. There were elements that were not very well explained (how can Rocky talk to literally everyone?) and the time element was jumpy (in one point, I had no idea if we were remembering something or if this was the present day and at another point it jumped from the present day to three months later with no good reason or transition). For that reason, I would put this as more older elementary , about 4th -5th grade readers, because I feel like the tone was far more juvenile than a middle school reader would enjoy. I would say younger middle school readers might enjoy this, but overall, it gave a more older elementary vibe than a middle school one.
contained no cursing or romance, did contain magic and good and bad witches and family disappearing (they come back tho)

motleyrhapsody's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5