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heisereads's review
4.0
I can see the value in this story, but it is so outdated now 28 years later when airports don't run like this and even airlines mentioned no longer exist, that I would choose a more contemporary picture book to use instead.
genette's review
5.0
Holy God. Just read this standing in a bookstore, completely caught off-guard. I'm speechless, and buying two copies.
queenstheif's review
5.0
TOUGH line to walk here, but Bunting uses her graceful hand to introduce children (and adults, frankly) to this world they may not be exposed to.
cmw119's review
4.0
I think that this story, told from a child's POV packs a greater punch, and makes it more endearing than it would have been if told any other way. This isn't a stellar story by any means, but I think the message of hope would be uplifting and inspiring to young children.
cswirl1's review
4.0
Fly Away Home is a uplifting but sad story of a little boy and his father who live in an airport. When his mother dies the boy and his father leave their apartment and are trying not to be noticed at the airport. If they are found, they will be put out on the street. The father goes to work and is trying to get them into a more permanent home, but is unable to do so because of his money situation. One day the little boy sees a brown bird caught in the airport who is hurt and cannot find his way out. One day, the bird gets out and the little boy imagines that he is singing as he is set free. This fills little boy with hope that one day he too will be free.
This story is sad and really doesn't leave me with a happy feeling at the end. Even though the finally of the book is the little boy watching a big plane take off, he is still stuck in the airport watching people come and go. One of the most heartbreaking parts of the book for me is on the second to last opening of the book where the little boy is standing in a sea or people who are hugging each other on their way here or there and he is all alone. "Sometimes I get mad, and I want to run at them and push and shout, 'Why do YOU have homes when we don't? What makes YOU so special?'" It was just so sad. I hated seeing him standing by himself looking so sad while everyone else is so happy.
Although this book is beautifully illustrated and written, I couldn't see reading this again to my students. I would make it available for them, but I think that it is too sad to read. I don't want kids to have a "Disney" version of what life is like, but for some reason, I don't think I could read this to my students. I think that it would just make them way too sad.
This story is sad and really doesn't leave me with a happy feeling at the end. Even though the finally of the book is the little boy watching a big plane take off, he is still stuck in the airport watching people come and go. One of the most heartbreaking parts of the book for me is on the second to last opening of the book where the little boy is standing in a sea or people who are hugging each other on their way here or there and he is all alone. "Sometimes I get mad, and I want to run at them and push and shout, 'Why do YOU have homes when we don't? What makes YOU so special?'" It was just so sad. I hated seeing him standing by himself looking so sad while everyone else is so happy.
Although this book is beautifully illustrated and written, I couldn't see reading this again to my students. I would make it available for them, but I think that it is too sad to read. I don't want kids to have a "Disney" version of what life is like, but for some reason, I don't think I could read this to my students. I think that it would just make them way too sad.
sunflowerjess's review
challenging
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This heartbreaking book tells the story of a father and son who live in an airport. It is huge in heart, and I felt like I truly got to know the characters while reading it. I think this important book sheds much-needed light on people who aren't on the radar - people experiencing homelessness who survive by constantly moving and avoiding notice, who build fragile but crucial connections with others in the same situation, and who deserve a home just as everyone deserves a home.
ryan2changz's review
5.0
I think this was in an episode of Reading Rainbow I saw when I was very young that covered the issue of homelessness in America. A better "living in an airport story" than that Tom Hanks movie The Terminal