Mama's Nightingale
Sale price
$1673
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2015 · Est. 10 min read-aloud

Mama's Nightingale

By Edwidge Danticat, Leslie Staub (Illustrator)

A child bridges separation with stories, hoping to reunite her family torn by immigration detention.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 858 ratings
32 pages· 1,173 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Young Saya's world shatters when her mother is detained. Clinging to her mother's voice on tapes filled with Haitian folklore, Saya finds solace and strength. Inspired, she pens her own tale, a heartfelt plea that could reunite her family. As her father fights for their future, Saya's story becomes a beacon of hope. Can a child's words mend the divide and bring her mother home? This poignant narrative explores the power of storytelling amidst the harsh realities of immigration and separation, revealing the resilience of a child's heart.

From the publisher

A touching tale of parent-child separation and immigration, from a National Book Award finalist

After Saya’s mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother’s warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother’s tales and her father’s attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good.

With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
32
Words
1,173
Reading age
4–8
Audience
Picture
Lexile
NC890L
Themes & topics
Books about mother-daughter relationshipsBooks about separationBooks about immigration and emigrationBooks about prison or jailBooks about parents
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
3.9
F&P level
~U
AR points
0.5
AR interest level
LG
AR quiz
176658
Publication
Published
September 1, 2015
Edition
Language
English
Type
Picture Book
Text details
Text set in Cooper Oldstyle
Illustration details
This art was created using oil paint.
Identifiers
ISBN
9780525428091

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