In this memorable story, a young boy finds solace flying his kite from
the rooftop after soldiers take his father and brother away.
Without his father and brother, the young boy's life is turned upside
down. He and his family have to stay inside, along with everyone else in
town. At suppertime, he can't stop looking at the two empty places at
the table and his sister can't stop crying. The boy looks out the window
and is chilled to see a tank's spotlight searching the park where he
plays with his friends. He hears shouts and gunshots and catches sight
of someone running in the street -- if only they could fly away, he
thinks.
Each day the curfew is lifted briefly, and the boy goes to the park to
see his friends. One day, inspired by the wind in the trees, he has an
idea. Back at home he makes a kite, and that night he flies it from his
rooftop, imagining what it can see.
In this moving story from Anne Laurel Carter, with haunting
illustrations by Akin Duzakin, a young boy finds strength through his
creativity and imagination.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language
Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and
challenges.