Saving Sky (edition 2010)

not so much science fiction although it is set in the future and everyone is seeing terrorists everywhere as our country is under constant attack; Sky stands up for her friend of Middle-Eastern descent and survives because of her parents planning ahead to have their family in a remote area with a large garden. ( )

I enjoy the quick read of teen fiction, and having an avid reader for a daughter, I have read many teen novels. This is the best I have read. I kept thinking of Ann Frank as Sky's family took in Kareem and the repeating of history. Kareem's essay on courage brought tears to my eyes and Sky's willingness to read it showed "she had courage" too. I would hope that this book can touch many young people's lives to promote tolerance and the courage to take a stand for what is right. ( )

In an America that has suffered continual terrorist attacks since 9/11, seventh-grader Sky stands up for what is right and helps a classmate of Middle Eastern descent, although doing so places her and her family at great risk. ( )

A powerful and important book that parents should read with their kids. Sky lives in NM with her family who live off the grid and don't own a TV, computer or any electronic device. When the attacks occurred and shortages were happening, Sky only found out about them from her aunt. When a family of Arabs is attacked at the Home Depot does Sky realize the magnitude of what's happened. Then a classmates father is arrested and detained her family vows to hide him and protect him until the Dept. of Homeland Security comes knocking on their door. ( )

This is a novel aimed at the pre teen crowd. For adults, it is a very short read, but still very thought evoking. It has a very good, strong moral that never grows old. It's about how when afraid, people often need to pin the blame on someone and too often, this finger pointing leads to hate and racism. There are good and bad people in all races, countries, and religions. You really cannot blame them all for the errors of one...

This novel is a "what if" book.. What if the attacks of September 11th didn't stop there? What if it led to a full blown war with terrorists, not in Iraq or Afghanistan, but right here on the mainland? How would we act? Sky is thirteen and during this war, she witnesses hate and wrongful arrests on people of Arab decent. When the United States government repeats history (I'm referring to the internment of the Japanese Americans during world war II) and begins arresting Arab Americans, Sky tries to save her school friend, Kareem. It's Sky and her family versus Homeland Security. Uh oh. What's going to happen to Kareem, Sky, Sky's family?

I also got a kick out of how everyone reacts when faced with no electricty, no cell phones, no gas, no semi trucks delivering food to Albertson's... Gosh, we have become a very dependent society!

I found Sky's family a little weird with their solstice celebrating, hand holding, and blessing chanting, but to each his own. If I had any doubts about giving this story a 5 star rating, Kareem's essay at the end of the book erased them. Beautiful, thought evoking words that make one really sit and think about courage and ask oneself if they have ever been that brave. ( )