The Sky at Our Feet
Written by Nadia Hashimi
Published by HarperCollins Publishers
Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it’s hard to feel American now when he’s terrified that his mother will be discovered—and that they will be separated.
When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he’s overestimated what he can do.
After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle—even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won’t be able to run forever.
Primary ISBN: 9780062421937
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older
Community Represented: Afghan/Afghan American
Themes: Citizenship, Cross-Group Friendship, Deportation, Engagement Tool: Discussion, Family Relationship: Parents, Family Separation: By Detention, Family Separation: Different Immigration Status, Generation: 1st, Immigrant: Education, Immigrant: Undocumented, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Religious Background: Muslim, Welcoming by Individual
Setting: United States
Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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EXPLORE Discussion Guide
Source: HarperCollins