Year I Flew Away, The

Reach for this book when your child is struggling to find their footing in a new environment or is expressing a desire to change their personality or appearance just to fit in. Ten year old Gabrielle has just moved from Haiti to Brooklyn, and the pressure to blend in is so intense that she makes a magical deal to trade her 'Haitian-ness' for the ability to speak perfect English and act like an American. This story serves as a powerful metaphor for the internal cost of assimilation and the beauty of cultural pride. Appropriate for ages 8 to 12, the book balances a whimsical, almost dark-fairytale plot with very real emotions of homesickness and the pain of being teased. It is a perfect choice for parents who want to validate their child's feelings of being 'different' while reinforcing the importance of staying true to one's roots and family heritage.