Where Butterflies Fill the Sky by Zahra Marwan
Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in 2022
Key Words: Immigration, Home, Family, Hope, Belonging
Summary: A young girl living in Kuwait describes an ordinary day for her, from looking up to see butterflies and her brothers playing with the sand, aunts drinking tea, and her father swimming in the ocean. The main character is comfortable with her life and feels as though her ancestors are watching over her, constantly. Then her father informs her that they will have to move to a new home for a better life. However, the young girl is unsure why they are leaving and feels uncertain about this decision. The family moves to New Mexico, and the young girl is anxious because she feels different from the other kids and fears that her ancestors will no longer watch over her. In New Mexico, she begins to feel like she belongs, as her new friends show her kindness, and when her family from Kuwait calls, she tells them she found a new home, with her ancestors still in the picture.
Book lesson: The purpose of the book is to show how difficult immigration is for children, but to remind them that they should remain hopeful because something beautiful can result from it. Additionally, it encourages kids to stay connected to their culture and ancestors, regardless of how far from home they go.
Censorship: Not banned or censored
Highlights: I enjoyed the mention of ancestors in this book, the concern over them not being there to watch the young girl when she moved away from the land where her ancestors grew up. But depicting that her ancestors still followed the girl and brought her comfort in her new home was an inspirational part of the story.
Children’s identity: Through this story, the reader gains insight into a story of immigration and the difficulties that arise with moving away from one’s home. With children who may have never had to immigrate, the book would allow them to see what a child in that circumstance would feel, and be more compassionate towards them. Furthermore, for children transitioning to a new home, this book would bring comfort, as it depicts the ability to, in the end, make a new home and life in a place that might seem unfamiliar to them. Another important aspect is the illustration of how important traditions are not to lose sight of, even when moving to a new place, as proven by the young girl’s ancestors never leaving her.
Sense of Family: Family is a point of importance and is emphasized throughout the book. As the young girl begins by spending a lot of time with her family and valuing them, she continues to express this by her effort to remain connected with her family even after moving away from them.
Sense of change: Change is always scary, and the uncertainty the young girl had about moving made it more difficult. However, the ability to overcome this fear and build a new home is moving and demonstrates character growth.
Sense of Belonging/community: The young girl fears that she will not belong once she moves to New Mexico, as demonstrated by her comments that no one speaks like her. Regardless, because of the kindness shown by her new community, she begins to fit in this new place and can call it her second home.
