
By Nikki Grimes
Two boys, separated by time, grapple with loss and the power of forgiveness.
Sam, a modern teen, and Ishmael, from biblical times, share a bond across centuries. Both face the heartache of paternal betrayal and the challenge of forgiveness. As they navigate their isolated worlds, they must confront their feelings towards the siblings who have taken their place. Can they find peace and redemption in their shared struggles? This poignant tale explores the depths of human emotion and the enduring strength of forgiveness, leaving readers to ponder the connections that transcend time.
A guy whose father ripped his heart out too.You and me, Ishmael, we’re brothers, two dark sons. Destroyed, lost, and isolated, the perspectives of two teenage boys–modern-day Sam, and biblical Ishmael–unite over millennia to illustrate the power of forgiveness.”Grimes’s commanding metaphors (“Look at you, mother, / trembling, / a bowshot away, / your tears/ the only water/ for miles,” says the exiled Ishmael), authoritative style, and complex characterizations are uniquely compelling.” –Publisher’s Weekly starred review”The simple words eloquently reveal what it’s like to miss someone … but even more moving is the struggle to forgive and the affection each boy feels for the baby that displaces him. The elemental connections and the hope … will speak to a wide audience.” –Booklist starred review
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