My Brother Is Away

By Sara Greenwood, Luisa Uribe (Illustrator)

A young girl navigates the emotional journey of visiting her incarcerated brother.

4.4/5 Goodreads · 458 ratings

40 pages

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A young girl grapples with the absence of her incarcerated brother, torn between cherished memories and the pain of his absence. As her family embarks on a 500-mile journey to visit him, she feels a mix of excitement and anxiety. Will seeing him bring comfort or more confusion? This poignant tale explores the enduring bond of family and the resilience of love, offering a heartfelt glimpse into the struggles faced by many children.

From the publisher

In this moving picture book, a young girl reflects on the emotions and challenges of growing up with a brother who is incarcerated. This touching story is filled with vivid illustrations and is based on the author’s childhood experiences. An NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book - NPR Best Book of the Year - A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book With her older brother in prison, a young girl copes with the confusing feelings his absence creates. At times she remembers the way her brother would carry her on his shoulders or how he would make up stories to tell her at bedtime. Other times she feels angry and wants to fly so far away that she can forget what happened. When her Mama and Daddy take her on the 500-mile journey to visit him, a trip she knows not all families are able to make, the girl is excited but also nervous. But the nerves turn to joy when she sees him–everything is different, but everything is the same too. Her brother is not home, but his love hasn’t changed. With words that are spare, gentle, and reassuring, this picture book will help young readers with similar stories feel less alone and give other readers a window into the struggles some children face.

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