What the Kite Saw - by Anne Laurel Carter

Book Synopsis

In this memorable story, a young boy finds solace flying his kite from the rooftop after soldiers take his father and brother away.

Without his father and brother, the young boy's life is turned upside down. He and his family have to stay inside, along with everyone else in town. At suppertime, he can't stop looking at the two empty places at the table and his sister can't stop crying. The boy looks out the window and is chilled to see a tank's spotlight searching the park where he plays with his friends. He hears shouts and gunshots and catches sight of someone running in the street -- if only they could fly away, he thinks.

Each day the curfew is lifted briefly, and the boy goes to the park to see his friends. One day, inspired by the wind in the trees, he has an idea. Back at home he makes a kite, and that night he flies it from his rooftop, imagining what it can see.

In this moving story from Anne Laurel Carter, with haunting illustrations by Akin Duzakin, a young boy finds strength through his creativity and imagination.

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3
Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

Review Quotes

[A] penetrating, enduring story of not only the atrocities of war, but also the resiliency of the human spirit and the power of imagination.

-- "CM Review of Materials"

[T]hought-provoking and haunting.

-- "Horn Book"

In a word, powerful. STARRED REVIEW

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Simple text and vivid, emotion-filled imagery. STARRED REVIEW

-- "School Library Journal"

This is a beautiful and moving story about finding strength through creativity and imagination and offers many lessons about empathy and compassion.

-- "Vancouver Writers Fest"