"Nye's story about the special bond between a boy and his grandfather and their mutual love for their country is somehow both quiet and exhilarating." -- Horn Book (starred review) "A warm and humorous peek at the profound and mundane details of moving from one country to another-a perfect pick for kids on the move." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Magical ...Will deeply touch young readers who have also moved between countries-and it will enlighten their new friends." -- Booklist "Nye's elegant but accessible tale-a love letter to Oman, a touching portrayal of a boy and his grandfather, and a poignant look at how we experience change-is deeply moving." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Naomi Shihab Nye is a poet and anthologist and the acclaimed author of Habibi: A Novel and Sitti's Secrets, a picture book, which was based on her own experiences visiting her beloved Sitti in Palestine. Her book 19 Varieties of Gazelle: Poems of the Middle East was a finalist for the National Book Award. She has taught writing and worked in schools all over the world, including in Muscat, Oman. She lives in San Antonio, Texas.