The Red Pencil

The Red Pencil"Amira, look at me," Muma insists. She collects both my hands in hers."The Janjaweed attack without warning. If ever they come run." Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in Nyala Amira's one true dream. But life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the Janjaweed arrive. The terrifying attackers ravage the town and unleash unspeakable horrors. After

"Amira, look at me," Muma insists.She collects both my hands in hers."The Janjaweed attack without warning.If ever they come-- run."
Finally, Amira is twelve. Old enough to wear a toob, old enough for new responsibilities. And maybe old enough to go to school in Nyala-- Amira's one true dream.
But life in her peaceful Sudanese village is shattered when the Janjaweed arrive. The terrifying attackers ravage the town and unleash unspeakable horrors. After she loses nearly everything, Amira needs to dig deep within herself to find the strength to make the long journey-- on foot-- to safety at a refugee camp. Her days are tough at the camp, until the gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind-- and all kinds of possibilities.
New York Times bestselling and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney's powerful verse and Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist Shane W. Evans's breathtaking illustrations combine to tell an inspiring tale of one girl's triumph against all odds.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/16/2014
ISBN: 9780316247801
Pages: 336
Weight: 0.87lbs
Size: 8.02h x 5.54w x 1.10d
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Finalist
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Nene Award - Nominee
Award: Rhode Island Children's Book Awards - Nominee

Review Citations: School Library Journal 07/01/2014 pg. 92
Publishers Weekly 08/04/2014
Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview 08/15/2014 pg. 66
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2014
Booklist 10/15/2014 pg. 48
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2014 pg. 104
New York Times Book Review 11/16/2014 pg. 26
New York Times Book Review 11/09/2014 pg. 35
Shelf Awareness 11/11/2014
Voice of Youth Advocates 12/01/2014 - Recommended - Better Than Most
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2014
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books 11/15/2014 pg. 93
PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/01/2014 pg. 72
NY Times Notable Bks of Year 12/07/2014 pg. 35
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2014 pg. 24
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2015 - Superior,Well Above Average

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 168792 / Red Pencil
Reading Level: 4.2 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 3