The Red Pencil
What’s inside...
Amira, a young girl from Darfur, dreams of going to school. Her peaceful life is disrupted when her village is attacked by the Janjaweed. After losing nearly everything, she embarks on a difficult journey to a refugee camp, armed only with a red pencil. With the support of her mother and the strength she finds within herself, Amira navigates the challenges of the camp. The gift of a simple red pencil opens her mind to all kinds of possibilities, ultimately leading to her triumph against all odds. This tale is brought to life by the powerful verse of New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney and the breathtaking illustrations of Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist Shane W. Evans.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-12
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Amira felt when she received the red pencil, and why is it significant?
What challenges did Amira face and how did she overcome them?
Can you relate to any of the emotions Amira went through? How would you handle similar situations?
Why do you think education is important for Amira and the other characters?
How can creative expression, like drawing, help in difficult situations?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in Amira's shoes, fostering a deeper connection with the character.
Discuss the importance of resilience and creativity, highlighting how Amira used drawing as a way to cope with her challenges.
Explore the cultural context of the story, perhaps looking up information about Sudan together to better understand Amira’s world.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts through art or writing after reading, mirroring Amira’s use of the red pencil.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Amira, faces immense challenges when her village is attacked, yet she finds strength through creative expression using a red pencil.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of resilience and finding personal ways to cope with difficult situations, encouraging them to seek healthy emotional outlets during tough times.
Example Lesson: The power of education
Explanation: Amira's journey emphasizes the transformative role of education, particularly for girls who face obstacles in accessing learning opportunities.
Real-World Application: This lesson instills the value of education in children, motivating them to embrace learning opportunities and advocate for education for all.
Example Lesson: The importance of hope and dreams
Explanation: Despite the harsh realities Amira faces, her dream of going to school fuels her determination, illustrating the importance of hope in overcoming barriers.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to dream big and maintain hope, teaching them that their aspirations can help navigate through difficult phases of life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Amira's story provides insights into the struggles faced by children in war-torn regions, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse life experiences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop empathy towards others who are different from them and to appreciate the broader world context.
Example Lesson: Creative expression as a coping mechanism
Explanation: The red pencil becomes a symbol of Amira’s emotional and creative liberation, demonstrating how creativity can serve as a therapeutic tool.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use art, writing, or other forms of creative expression to manage their emotions and articulate their experiences.