The Red Pencil

This section covers Chapter 146: “Love,” Chapter 147: “Guzzling,” Chapter 148: “Fanta Flute” Chapter 149: “Halima, Profile,” Chapter 150: “I Wish,” Chapter 151: “Leap,” Chapter 152: “Anthill,” Chapter 153: “Envy” Chapter 154: “Tug-of-War,” Chapter 155: “Opinions,” Chapter 156: “Muma Blooming,” Chapter 157: “Talking to Sayidda Moon,” Chapter 158: “Possibilities,” Chapter 159: “Directions,” Chapter 160: “Sudanese Flowers, Reborn,” Chapter 161: “Bursting,” Chapter 162: “I Am,” and Chapter 163: “Up, Up, Me.”

Old Anwar brings Amira a new treat, a bottle of orange Fanta. This time, Amira only drinks half, leaving the rest for Leila and Gamal. The younger children unexpectedly share it between themselves without squabbling, leaving the final sip for Amira. Amira forms an “O” with her mouth and blows on the empty soda bottle, making a “Fanta flute.”

Amira sketches Halima in profile, beautiful and smiling, with lips that seem to say, “Amira, come to my new school” (257). During her lesson with Old Anwar, she is quiet, unable to articulate how much she loves learning to write, how thankful she is, and how she longs to attend a real school. Old Anwar asks what is on her mind, and she tells him about Gad Primary School.