“The Red Pencil” by Andrea Davis Pinkney is a 308 page verse novel
is for ages 8 and up.
This story takes place in late 2003-early 2004 and is about a 12-year-old girl named Amira.
Amira lives in Darfur, a region in South Sudan, on her family’s peaceful wheat farm. She doesn’t go to school and has daily chores on her farm and in her house, which she fulfills.
Everything is fine for her and her family – that is, until Amira finds herself hiking to a refugee camp with her family. Amira’s light is burning out. She’s lost almost everything. What happens when she’s gifted with a red pencil? Will she shine bright or even brighter again?
Readers will find that the author includes great detail in her writing that can make them feel as if they are right there with Amira.