The Red Pencil

By: Andrea Davis Pinkney, Shane W. Evans - Illustrator

Narrated by: Andrea Davis Pinkney

"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 12. 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 best-selling and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Andrea Davis Pinkney's powerful verse tells an inspiring tale of one girl's triumph against all odds.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2014 Andrea Davis Pinkney (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

A Today show Al's Book Club for Kids pick!

"The artfully orchestrated novel is related with grace, restraint and a wealth of historical detail." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Bird in a Box will break, heal, and then fill your heart, all in one reading." (Grace Lin, Newbery Honor author of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon)

"The author's collaged nocturnal paintings shimmer with an arresting luminescence.... When the travelers at last lift a newborn baby to the rising sun, readers celebrate along with the protagonists." (School Library Journal)

Wonderful story in verse

Amira lives in Darfur. At twelve, she is gaining more responsibility in her peaceful village and dreams of going to school. But Amira's life is turned upside down when her village is attacked by the Janjaweed. With many in the village being massacred, Amira and her surviving family members travel with other survivors to a refugee camp in Kalma. The horrors of the attack leave Amira mute for a time, but her healing is facilitated through a red pencil and a pad of paper.

The story is told through poetry and illustrations, both of which are absolutely beautiful. This is one of several books told in verse that I have read in the last year, and I am fast finding it to be a wonderful medium for storytelling. There is a sparseness to the poetry that seems to evoke more emotion and imagery, and I'm glad I get to experience it. If you are worried that you won't be able to truly experience or understand the story because it is told through poetry, do not fret. Pinkney does a fantastic job.

It is also clear that she did a fantastic amount of research on the war in Darfur. She doesn't shrink from portraying the devastation caused by the war, while also showing how one's artistic expression can bring about healing and growth. The characters are survivors and, though there are the atrocities of war, there is also hope and healing.

For those who also enjoy audiobooks, this one was narrated by the author, and she does a wonderful job. The illustrations are available to the listener, as well, which I appreciated as they are an important part of the story being told.

Well-told story that grabs the reader

A must-read short story for young readers, told, through kid-friendly poetry, about a girl's struggle through war. Practical, visionary, and sweepingly beautiful, the author paints, with vivid brushstrokes, a world that is changing, and amidst it, a story about how to find hope.

Poetic and Educational

This is well done and artistic. Hard to catch the full attention of a 10 yo boy and husband but they were glad to learn from it. Having spent time in Africa, we appreciated the beautiful imagery and culturally accurate writing.

Very important topic to be discussed

I had never read a novel written in verse, but throughly enjoyed the experience. The pacing is too slow in the beginning but it picks up in the second part.