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A review by _askthebookbug
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney
5.0
~ r e v i e w ~
•
"It's not right to listen
when my ears haven't been invited
But my ears can't help it.
They're doing what ears are meant to do." - Andrea Davis Pinkney.
•
For someone who doesn't really enjoy verse novels, I couldn't help but fall in love with The Red Pencil. The Darfur conflict/genocide involved killings of thousands of men, women and children which ultimately resulted in countless people being displaced or brutally assaulted. Not only does The Red Pencil speak of the conflict but also makes it suitable for children of all ages to read it without being traumatized. My only complaint was about how rushed the ending felt but that only minutely dimmed the brilliance of this novel.
•
Amira is a twelve year old girl living with her parents and a younger sister in South Darfur. She lives a seemingly content life, tending to the sheeps and helping her mother in harvesting Okra. But deep inside her heart, she tends to a dream of studying in a special school in the city and her friend's departure to the same school deepens her desire. But Amira's mother finds her dream useless because education is not something that'll take care of household chores. When the war breaks out, Amira loses her father along with the sheep and is forced to move to a refugee camp miles away. Traumatized by what had happened, her voice fails to make an appearance for weeks to come. But things look up when she receives a red pencil by a volunteer. Amira's dreams take flight. With the help of her father's old friend, Amira learns to read and write with ease.
•
I have always been thoroughly fascinated by books that flawlessly convey significant pieces of history or messages almost in a facile manner. The fact that Andrea has penned this keeping children in mind is a commendable job. It was easy to vividly imagine Amira's life through her narration, be it her father's gentle laughter or the traditional tales of the moon. Although the happenings of the conflict were put across gently, the severity of it saddened me immensely. Along with the verses, the beautiful illustrations helped elevate my imagination and I couldn't help but wish for a physical copy of the book. I'd urge not only you but to also make your children read this beautiful book. Learning starts at home and this book is a wonderful way to begin. I recommend this.
•
Rating : 4.5/5.
•
"It's not right to listen
when my ears haven't been invited
But my ears can't help it.
They're doing what ears are meant to do." - Andrea Davis Pinkney.
•
For someone who doesn't really enjoy verse novels, I couldn't help but fall in love with The Red Pencil. The Darfur conflict/genocide involved killings of thousands of men, women and children which ultimately resulted in countless people being displaced or brutally assaulted. Not only does The Red Pencil speak of the conflict but also makes it suitable for children of all ages to read it without being traumatized. My only complaint was about how rushed the ending felt but that only minutely dimmed the brilliance of this novel.
•
Amira is a twelve year old girl living with her parents and a younger sister in South Darfur. She lives a seemingly content life, tending to the sheeps and helping her mother in harvesting Okra. But deep inside her heart, she tends to a dream of studying in a special school in the city and her friend's departure to the same school deepens her desire. But Amira's mother finds her dream useless because education is not something that'll take care of household chores. When the war breaks out, Amira loses her father along with the sheep and is forced to move to a refugee camp miles away. Traumatized by what had happened, her voice fails to make an appearance for weeks to come. But things look up when she receives a red pencil by a volunteer. Amira's dreams take flight. With the help of her father's old friend, Amira learns to read and write with ease.
•
I have always been thoroughly fascinated by books that flawlessly convey significant pieces of history or messages almost in a facile manner. The fact that Andrea has penned this keeping children in mind is a commendable job. It was easy to vividly imagine Amira's life through her narration, be it her father's gentle laughter or the traditional tales of the moon. Although the happenings of the conflict were put across gently, the severity of it saddened me immensely. Along with the verses, the beautiful illustrations helped elevate my imagination and I couldn't help but wish for a physical copy of the book. I'd urge not only you but to also make your children read this beautiful book. Learning starts at home and this book is a wonderful way to begin. I recommend this.
•
Rating : 4.5/5.