A New York Times Notable Children's Books selection. The moving
story of one boy's refugee experience in the Syrian Civil War and the
birds who help him on the road to emotional healing
Behind Sami, the Syrian skyline is full of smoke. The boy follows his
family and all his neighbours in a long line, as they trudge through the
sands and hills to escape the bombs that have destroyed their homes. But
all Sami can think of is his pet pigeons--will they escape too? When
they reach a refugee camp and are safe at last, everyone settles into
the tent city. But though the children start to play and go to school
again, Sami can't join in. When he is given paper and paint, all he can
do is smear his painting with black. He can't forget his birds and what
his family has left behind.
One day a canary, a dove, and a rose finch fly into the camp. They
flutter around Sami and settle on his outstretched arms. For Sami it is
one step in a long healing process at last.
A gentle yet moving story of refugees of the Syrian civil war, My
Beautiful Birds illuminates the ongoing crisis as it affects its
children. It shows the reality of the refugee camps, where people
attempt to pick up their lives and carry on. And it reveals the hope of
generations of people as they struggle to redefine home.
-- "Publisher"