87 pages • 2 hours read
Andrea Davis PinkneyThe Red Pencil
Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Middle Grade | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney follows 12-year-old Amira, a Sudanese girl from South Darfur, whose life is turned upside down when the Janjaweed militia raids her village, forcing her community to flee in search of safety. Amidst the turmoil, Amira dreams of education and a better future, despite the resistance from her mother. The story explores themes of conflict, resilience, and hope. The novel contains mentions of animal cruelty, graphic violence, and death.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney garners praise for its vivid prose and insightful depiction of a young girl's resilience in war-torn Sudan. The verse format and accompanying illustrations are lauded for enhancing the narrative's emotional depth. However, some readers find the pacing uneven and wish for deeper character development. Overall, it is an evocative and powerful read.
Who Should Read The Red Pencil?
A reader who would enjoy The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney is typically a middle-grade to young-adult reader interested in historical and cultural narratives. Fans of A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park or Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai would appreciate its themes of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
RecommendedReading Age
9-12yearsBook Details
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Military / War
Arts / Culture
Education
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Emotions/Behavior: Grief