"Nye's story about the special bond between a boy and his grandfather and their mutual love for their country is somehow both quiet and exhilarating." -- Horn Book (starred review) "A warm and humorous peek at the profound and mundane details of moving from one country to another-a perfect pick for kids on the move." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Magical ...Will deeply touch young readers who have also moved between countries-and it will enlighten their new friends." -- Booklist "Nye's elegant but accessible tale-a love letter to Oman, a touching portrayal of a boy and his grandfather, and a poignant look at how we experience change-is deeply moving." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Praised by the Horn Book as “both quiet and exhilarating,” this novel by the acclaimed poet and National Book Award Finalist Naomi Shihab Nye follows Aref Al-Amri as he says goodbye to everything and everyone he loves in his hometown of Muscat, Oman, as his family prepares to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan.