87 pages • 2 hours read
The Red Pencil
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Book Brief
368
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
Sudan • Early 2000s
2014
Middle grade
9-12 years
Super Short Summary
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney follows 12-year-old Amira, a Sudanese girl from South Darfur, whose life is turned upside down when the Janjaweed militia raids her village, forcing her community to flee in search of safety. Amidst the turmoil, Amira dreams of education and a better future, despite the resistance from her mother. The story explores themes of conflict, resilience, and hope. The novel contains mentions of animal cruelty, graphic violence, and death.
Inspirational
Hopeful
Emotional
Contemplative
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
7,569 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney garners praise for its vivid prose and insightful depiction of a young girl's resilience in war-torn Sudan. The verse format and accompanying illustrations are lauded for enhancing the narrative's emotional depth. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and wish for deeper character development. Overall, it is an evocative and powerful read.
Who Should Read The Red Pencil?
A reader who would enjoy The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney is typically a middle-grade to young-adult reader interested in historical and cultural narratives. Fans of A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park or Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai would appreciate its themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
7,569 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
Sudan • Early 2000s
2014
Middle grade
9-12 years
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