The Red Pencil

Name: The Red Pencil
Brand: Hachette Audio
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)
Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney
ISBN: 9781478955665

Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney

Narrator: Shane W. Evans

Unabridged: 3 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers

Published: 09/16/2014

Categories: Children's Fiction, Regional Stories, Children's Social Themes, Children's Poetry

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

"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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jesse (JesseTheReader) on February 28, 2017

I tend to struggle with books written in verse, but I quite enjoyed this one! Though I definitely still had some issues here and there. I feel like the beginning part of the story could've been condensed and the ending could've been expanded. Other than that this was a beautiful story about a girl w......more

Goodreads review by Patti on March 18, 2015

GO READ THIS NOW. I'll wait. It doesn't take long, but it's also a book to savor and reread. A middle grade novel told in verse, I have never read something so powerful with so few words. The sparse prose worked brilliantly, with not a word wasted. This is especially important because of the subject......more

Goodreads review by ✦BookishlyRichie✦ on August 13, 2018

4 STARS!!! The writing was so beautiful but heartbreaking at the same time. The illustrations were a huge part of his story and blended so well with the verse writing style. Amira is such a strong and determined main character and I admire her so much for her strength and drive, especially during suc......more

Goodreads review by Arlene on December 14, 2015

The one thing I enjoyed about this book is even though it was written in verse, it explained so much about each scenario Amira was in. When Amira lost her voice from being traumatized, she was given the red pencil which represented her gaining her voice back. She was also given a chance to have an e......more

Goodreads review by Brenda on June 14, 2014

An important addition to any middle school collection. Pair with Serafina's Promise. Both eloquently portray courage in the face of diversity. The art by the great Shane W. Evans enhance the immediacy of the poems.......more

Quotes

Praise for Andrea Davis Pinkney's Bird In A Box:
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, starred review

"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

Praise for Shane Evans' Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom:
"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