Whitman, Sylvia. 2013. MILK OF BIRDS. New
York: Atheneum. ISBN 9781442446823 [Suggested Grade Levels 8-12]
REVIEW
In this moving novel, two girls develop a
close relationship through their letters. K.C. is a typical American teenager
more interested in her social life than writing letters to someone she doesn’t
know in Africa. When her mom signs up for Save the Girls, a nonprofit
organization that arranges pen pal sponsors for girls living in refugee camps,
K.C. isn’t excited about the prospect. Since she struggles with reading and
writing, K.C. initially sends money without answering any letters. Nawra is an
“Internally Displaced Person” struggling to survive in a refugee camp in
Darfur, Sudan. Even though her situation is desperate, Nawra is anxious to
connect with her sister across the ocean and sends several letters detailing
her harsh life in the refugee camp and thanking K.C. for her generous gifts. Once
K.C. begins reading Nawra’s letters and responding, the girls’ friendship grows.
Even though K.C. and Nawra’s circumstances
are very different, both girls open up about their pain and dreams for the
future. Nawra’s faith in the face of poverty and brutality gives K.C.
perspective about her own difficulties. In turn, K.C. becomes an advocate for
the women and girls in Darfur by organizing a fundraiser. An author’s note
discusses Whitman’s motivation for writing this story and lists organizations
for readers interested in helping people like Nawra.
CONNECTIONS
Share this novel to encourage students to
participate in a pen pal program or become involved in nonprofit organizations.
This book would also support social studies units about the political unrest in
Africa.
RELATED BOOKS
Books about
teenage pen pals:
Deckert,
Tempany. IT’S YR LIFE. ISBN 9781741663976
Joyal,
Lisa. SWAHILI FOR BEGINNERS. ISBN 9780329660819
Sullivan, Mary. DEAR BLUE SKY. ISBN 9780142426678
By
Kimberly C. Kinnaird
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