Excellent for older middle grade and above in classrooms, book groups, and/or communities looking to increase empathy for new and existing arrivals from afar. Help us.” With this book, Gratz accomplishes a feat that is nothing short of brilliant, offering a skillfully wrought narrative laced with global and intergenerational reverberations that signal hope for the future. Mahmoud eventually concludes that visibility is best: “See us….Hear us. Each third-person narrative offers an accessible look at migration under duress, in which the behavior of familiar adults changes unpredictably, strangers exploit the vulnerabilities of transients, and circumstances seem driven by random luck. Each initially leaves by boat, struggles between visibility and invisibility, copes with repeated obstacles and heart-wrenching loss, and gains resilience in the process. Each traverses a landscape ruled by a dictator and must balance freedom, family, and responsibility. Yet these three refugee odysseys have so much in common. Three countries, three time periods, three brave protagonists.
In the midst of political turmoil, how do you escape the only country that you’ve ever known and navigate a new life? Parallel stories of three different middle school–aged refugees-Josef from Nazi Germany in 1938, Isabel from 1994 Cuba, and Mahmoud from 2015 Aleppo-eventually intertwine for maximum impact. Durst’s attempts to create an Asian-inflected fantasy world are a little contrived, but her imaginative, fast-paced adventure story will keep readers turning the pages.Īn enjoyable coming-of-age fantasy-adventure that also showcases the deep bond between sisters. When they finally reach their destination and learn tradition has been upended, Seika and Ji-Lin must trust their gut instincts and define for themselves what it means to be a hero. Seika and Ji-Lin soon realize the barrier is failing. Per tradition, the Emperor’s heir from every generation journeys to the volcanic island of Kazan to renew the bargain with the dragon of Himitsu, who maintains the magical barrier protecting the Hundred Islands of Himitsu. Much to their surprise, Seika and Ji-Lin are sent on the Emperor’s Journey on their 12th birthday.
#HIDDEN ISLANDS HOW TO#
While Jin-Li learns to wield a sword and mount her winged-lion companion, Seika is taught how to follow rituals.
However, when they turn 11, first-born Seika remains at the palace to be groomed as heir apparent, and Ji-Lin is sent to the Temple of the Sun to train to become an imperial guard and her sister’s protector. Princesses Seika and Ji-Lin, twin daughters of Emperor Yu-Senbi of Himitsu, have been best friends since birth. Two princesses conquer self-doubt and learn to trust in each other in order to save their people and the only way of life they know.
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