Told in free verse, this is a tale of survival and the human spirit. The African land of Darfur is the home of Amira, a young girl with hopes and dreams of going to school. But her village is very poor, and her mother believes she must forgo learning and focus on her family. When neighboring Sudanese tribes attack and her father is killed, Amira, her mother, and sister must leave and make the perilous journey to one of the refugee camps. Crowding, starvation, and loss of loved ones take their toll on Amira until one day she is given a red pencil which becomes an opportunity to communicate her thoughts and dreams.
A powerful story by two Coretta Scott King Award winners. After her village is attacked by militants, Amira, a young Sudanese girl, flees to a refugee camp. There she finds hope and the chance to pursue an education in the form of a single red pencil and the friendship and encouragement of a wise elder. Illustrations.