My Beautiful Birds (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781772780109)

A New York Times Notable Children's Books selection. The moving story of one boy's refugee experience in the Syrian Civil War and the birds who help him on the road to emotional healing

Behind Sami, the Syrian skyline is full of smoke. The boy follows his family and all his neighbours in a long line, as they trudge through the sands and hills to escape the bombs that have destroyed their homes. But all Sami can think of is his pet pigeons--will they escape too? When they reach a refugee camp and are safe at last, everyone settles into the tent city. But though the children start to play and go to school again, Sami can't join in. When he is given paper and paint, all he can do is smear his painting with black. He can't forget his birds and what his family has left behind.

One day a canary, a dove, and a rose finch fly into the camp. They flutter around Sami and settle on his outstretched arms. For Sami it is one step in a long healing process at last.

A gentle yet moving story of refugees of the Syrian civil war, My Beautiful Birds illuminates the ongoing crisis as it affects its children. It shows the reality of the refugee camps, where people attempt to pick up their lives and carry on. And it reveals the hope of generations of people as they struggle to redefine home.

Author: Suzanne del Rizzo
ISBN-10: 1772780103
ISBN-13: 9781772780109
Publisher: Pajama Press
Language: English
Published: 03/08/2017
Pages: 32
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 10.30h x 8.30w x 0.40d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 187738 / My Beautiful Birds


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 01/01/2017 pg. 102
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2017
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2017 pg. 67
School Library Journal 03/01/2017 pg. 102