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وكأننا في السماء
A young boy fears that his mother, an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan, has been deported, and he runs away to New York City to find help. A timely and poignant story about contemporary Muslims by the acclaimed author of One Half from the East.
In the tradition of Rebecca Stead and Thanhha Lai, this adventurous and emotionally charged own voices novel by New York Times bestselling author Nadia Hashimi shows the fierce love of a family determined not to be torn apart.
Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it’s hard to feel American now when he’s terrified that his mother will be discovered—and that they will be separated.
When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he’s overestimated what he can do.
After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle—even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won’t be able to run forever.
From the author of One Half from the East comes a timely and affecting story about one family in an impossible situation—pulled right from today’s headlines about immigration—who is willing to move mountains to stay together.
In the tradition of Rebecca Stead and Thanhha Lai, this adventurous and emotionally charged own voices novel by New York Times bestselling author Nadia Hashimi shows the fierce love of a family determined not to be torn apart.
Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it’s hard to feel American now when he’s terrified that his mother will be discovered—and that they will be separated.
When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he’s overestimated what he can do.
After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle—even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won’t be able to run forever.
From the author of One Half from the East comes a timely and affecting story about one family in an impossible situation—pulled right from today’s headlines about immigration—who is willing to move mountains to stay together.
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First published March 6, 2018
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About the author
Nadia Hashimi
15 books4,078 followersReader, Mom, Pediatrician, Author, Advocate, Dog Walker (only my own, no solicitations please.)
Loves dark chocolate, coffee, and many other clichéd indulgences.
Loves dark chocolate, coffee, and many other clichéd indulgences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
February 27, 2021
This was rather disappointing.Nadia Hashimi repeats herself,she has covered similar ground in another of her books,When the Moon is Low.
In that book,an Afghan family travelled through several countries escaping the war in Afghanistan.Along the way,the mother and elder son got separated.
In the Sky at Our Feet,an Afghan mother's US visa has expired.She is taken away from her twelve year old son.He in turn tries to find a friend of her mother who lives in New York to help them.
An American girl,about his own age,helps him navigate the streets of New York by running away with him.The girl suffers from epilepsy.They have a series of misadventures,until the boy's mother is found.
The book is way too long and rather boring.However,the author's parents came to the US from Afghanistan,some years before she was born.Members of her extended family also fled war ravaged Afghanistan,so it is a subject she has a personal connection with.
In that book,an Afghan family travelled through several countries escaping the war in Afghanistan.Along the way,the mother and elder son got separated.
In the Sky at Our Feet,an Afghan mother's US visa has expired.She is taken away from her twelve year old son.He in turn tries to find a friend of her mother who lives in New York to help them.
An American girl,about his own age,helps him navigate the streets of New York by running away with him.The girl suffers from epilepsy.They have a series of misadventures,until the boy's mother is found.
The book is way too long and rather boring.However,the author's parents came to the US from Afghanistan,some years before she was born.Members of her extended family also fled war ravaged Afghanistan,so it is a subject she has a personal connection with.
May 11, 2018
“If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul.”
----Drew Barrymore
Nadia Hashimi, an internationally bestselling author, pens a heart wrenching and extremely intriguing tale about two kids' fearless adventures around the city of Big Apple to get to an address in her new book, The Sky at Our Feet. The story revolves around a young Afghan-American boy, goes on a quest to find his beloved aunt in New York City along with a friend whom he met at a hospital, when his mother is taken away by the police on the pretext of illegal immigration issue. But on their way the two kids face a lot of challenges and dangers, and how they overcome that has been brilliantly portrayed by the author.
Synopsis:
A young boy fears that his mother, an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan, has been deported, and he runs away to New York City to find help. A timely and poignant story about contemporary Muslims by the acclaimed author of One Half from the East.
In the tradition of Rebecca Stead and Thanhha Lai, this adventurous and emotionally charged own voices novel by New York Times bestselling author Nadia Hashimi shows the fierce love of a family determined not to be torn apart.
Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it’s hard to feel American now when he’s terrified that his mother will be discovered—and that they will be separated.
When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he’s overestimated what he can do.
After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle—even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won’t be able to run forever.
From the author of One Half from the East comes a timely and affecting story about one family in an impossible situation—pulled right from today’s headlines about immigration—who is willing to move mountains to stay together.
Jason, whose Afghan single mother has overstayed her visa in America and is fearing deportation, goes on a dauntless yet gripping adventure with his new friend, named, Max, who is suffering from epilepsy. Together they journey to the Big Apple, trying to figure out the confusing street numbers, stumbling upon the dark side of the Central Park to falling prey to police officers looking for thew runaway kids, to the nurses, their adventure is only filled with drama, danger and complex challenges that they manage to overcome despite of the constant fear of getting caught. Their quest to find Jason's aunt is really vividly portrayed by the author and so is the honestly behind the general human behavior around an epileptic child.
The author's writing style is coherent yet exquisite, rich with myriad emotions that will make the readers feel the pain, joy, happiness and the challenges of the protagonist till the very last page. The narrative is very simple and easy to comprehend with and the author has strikingly captured the voice and mindset of a young boy through honesty and in a quite thought provoking manner, that will force the readers to think about the protagonist's situation from their hearts. The pacing of the book is really swift as the journey itself will keep the readers anticipating with fear about the two kids' plight.
This is a very satisfying read, that not only narrates the adventure of Jason and Max but also depicts the brutal truth about the cracks in the immigration system and the hardships around it in the life of an immigrant in the US. Also the author has sensitively captured the honesty behind a child's suffering from epilepsy and the people around her.
The characters from this story are extremely well developed, laced with flaws and dynamism in their demeanor thereby making them look real and believable in the eyes of the readers. Jason is portrayed as someone dedicated to find his aunt who in turn who help him to find his mother, whereas Max is confident and funny, and would do anything for her friend, despite of her acute condition. Although this isn't much of a character-driven book, yet these two characters both enlighten the story with their unmatched charm.
In a nutshell, this poignant yet extremely well developed story is a must read for one and all, irrespective of their age. Trust me, its so beautiful that its going to touch the very core of your souls.
Verdict: A deeply moving, dauntless and exciting story about two diverse kids in the Big Apple.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----Drew Barrymore
Nadia Hashimi, an internationally bestselling author, pens a heart wrenching and extremely intriguing tale about two kids' fearless adventures around the city of Big Apple to get to an address in her new book, The Sky at Our Feet. The story revolves around a young Afghan-American boy, goes on a quest to find his beloved aunt in New York City along with a friend whom he met at a hospital, when his mother is taken away by the police on the pretext of illegal immigration issue. But on their way the two kids face a lot of challenges and dangers, and how they overcome that has been brilliantly portrayed by the author.
Synopsis:
A young boy fears that his mother, an illegal immigrant from Afghanistan, has been deported, and he runs away to New York City to find help. A timely and poignant story about contemporary Muslims by the acclaimed author of One Half from the East.
In the tradition of Rebecca Stead and Thanhha Lai, this adventurous and emotionally charged own voices novel by New York Times bestselling author Nadia Hashimi shows the fierce love of a family determined not to be torn apart.
Jason has just learned that his Afghan mother has been living illegally in the United States since his father was killed in Afghanistan. Although Jason was born in the US, it’s hard to feel American now when he’s terrified that his mother will be discovered—and that they will be separated.
When he sees his mother being escorted from her workplace by two officers, Jason feels completely alone. He boards a train with the hope of finding his aunt in New York City, but as soon as he arrives in Penn Station, the bustling city makes him wonder if he’s overestimated what he can do.
After an accident lands him in the hospital, Jason finds an unlikely ally in a fellow patient. Max, a whip-smart girl who wants nothing more than to explore the world on her own terms, joins Jason in planning a daring escape out of the hospital and into the skyscraper jungle—even though they both know that no matter how big New York City is, they won’t be able to run forever.
From the author of One Half from the East comes a timely and affecting story about one family in an impossible situation—pulled right from today’s headlines about immigration—who is willing to move mountains to stay together.
Jason, whose Afghan single mother has overstayed her visa in America and is fearing deportation, goes on a dauntless yet gripping adventure with his new friend, named, Max, who is suffering from epilepsy. Together they journey to the Big Apple, trying to figure out the confusing street numbers, stumbling upon the dark side of the Central Park to falling prey to police officers looking for thew runaway kids, to the nurses, their adventure is only filled with drama, danger and complex challenges that they manage to overcome despite of the constant fear of getting caught. Their quest to find Jason's aunt is really vividly portrayed by the author and so is the honestly behind the general human behavior around an epileptic child.
The author's writing style is coherent yet exquisite, rich with myriad emotions that will make the readers feel the pain, joy, happiness and the challenges of the protagonist till the very last page. The narrative is very simple and easy to comprehend with and the author has strikingly captured the voice and mindset of a young boy through honesty and in a quite thought provoking manner, that will force the readers to think about the protagonist's situation from their hearts. The pacing of the book is really swift as the journey itself will keep the readers anticipating with fear about the two kids' plight.
This is a very satisfying read, that not only narrates the adventure of Jason and Max but also depicts the brutal truth about the cracks in the immigration system and the hardships around it in the life of an immigrant in the US. Also the author has sensitively captured the honesty behind a child's suffering from epilepsy and the people around her.
The characters from this story are extremely well developed, laced with flaws and dynamism in their demeanor thereby making them look real and believable in the eyes of the readers. Jason is portrayed as someone dedicated to find his aunt who in turn who help him to find his mother, whereas Max is confident and funny, and would do anything for her friend, despite of her acute condition. Although this isn't much of a character-driven book, yet these two characters both enlighten the story with their unmatched charm.
In a nutshell, this poignant yet extremely well developed story is a must read for one and all, irrespective of their age. Trust me, its so beautiful that its going to touch the very core of your souls.
Verdict: A deeply moving, dauntless and exciting story about two diverse kids in the Big Apple.
Courtesy: Thanks to the publishers from Harper Collins India for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
April 18, 2019
I'll read anything Nadia Hashimi writes. I only wish she'd go back to adult fiction
December 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. Having read a few of Ms Hashimi's books before, this one was more a YA book and the first one I read taking place in the USA and not Afghanistan.
This book is about immigration to the USA, a 12 year old boy who sees his mother taken away by uniformed officers and the trauma and adventures that ensue. He meets a Max in hospital and then the escape and adventures that follow.
A couple of notable quotes I enjoyed: 'I never had a friend like Max before, a friend who tries to make me feel better even though she could use a bit of cheering on herself.'
'Our families are busy shaking hands and apologising to each other for our behaviour. That seems a bit silly to me, but sometimes adults just can't stand to say nothing.'
If you haven't read Ms Hashimi before, this is as good as any to start, not quite as harrowing as her books taking place in Afghanistan. Recommended.
This book is about immigration to the USA, a 12 year old boy who sees his mother taken away by uniformed officers and the trauma and adventures that ensue. He meets a Max in hospital and then the escape and adventures that follow.
A couple of notable quotes I enjoyed: 'I never had a friend like Max before, a friend who tries to make me feel better even though she could use a bit of cheering on herself.'
'Our families are busy shaking hands and apologising to each other for our behaviour. That seems a bit silly to me, but sometimes adults just can't stand to say nothing.'
If you haven't read Ms Hashimi before, this is as good as any to start, not quite as harrowing as her books taking place in Afghanistan. Recommended.
October 9, 2022
One of those books where we want to scream COME TO THE EFFING POINT.
March 2, 2021
I'm really beginning to love books by this author! This is the second book I've read by her and once again the magic of her storytelling swept me right up and to the streets of New York City. It's a fast moving tale and while reading it I pretty much had forgotten everything else. And while it moved fast, it's not an action story - it has an emotional heart. It's about being brave and facing one's fears.
This is the story about two children who through cleverness sneak out of the hospital to go give themselves a tour of New York City. And while they are wondering about and trying to figure out where they are, they hope to find Jason's aunt's place. But the city is big and there's many surprises and unexpected obstacles. Can they find their way to the right neighborhood?
I found this relaxing and fun to read. It's like a little adventure. A very old fashioned story without all of the bells and whistles that many modern stories have. I remember similar stories from when I was a kid. They weren't in a hardcover book like this but they were about kids have similar simple adventures. It's good to know that someone still writes these.
Oh, I absolutely LOVED the scene of Jason and the police horse! What a surprise! Without a doubt the most exciting thing in the whole book! Of course I may be prejudice as I'm horse crazy.
This is the story about two children who through cleverness sneak out of the hospital to go give themselves a tour of New York City. And while they are wondering about and trying to figure out where they are, they hope to find Jason's aunt's place. But the city is big and there's many surprises and unexpected obstacles. Can they find their way to the right neighborhood?
I found this relaxing and fun to read. It's like a little adventure. A very old fashioned story without all of the bells and whistles that many modern stories have. I remember similar stories from when I was a kid. They weren't in a hardcover book like this but they were about kids have similar simple adventures. It's good to know that someone still writes these.
Oh, I absolutely LOVED the scene of Jason and the police horse! What a surprise! Without a doubt the most exciting thing in the whole book! Of course I may be prejudice as I'm horse crazy.
February 17, 2018
Thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for an ARC of this middle grade book.
It was quite an adventure story. It begins on the day when Jason sees his mother picked up from her job at the laundromat because she does not have American citizenship. He decides to go find his "Aunt" in NYC, but only knows what street she lives on. The story takes lots of twists and turns as Jason makes his way to NYC, ends up in the hospital, and escapes with a girl named Max. There are lots of opportunities for kids to gain empathy for families from other countries as well as other kids with illnesses like epilepsy. The action moves quickly and would make it a good book for both boys and girls.
It was quite an adventure story. It begins on the day when Jason sees his mother picked up from her job at the laundromat because she does not have American citizenship. He decides to go find his "Aunt" in NYC, but only knows what street she lives on. The story takes lots of twists and turns as Jason makes his way to NYC, ends up in the hospital, and escapes with a girl named Max. There are lots of opportunities for kids to gain empathy for families from other countries as well as other kids with illnesses like epilepsy. The action moves quickly and would make it a good book for both boys and girls.
May 31, 2020
The Sky at Our Feet is a heartening medley of culture and identity woven into an Afghan immigrant narrative. Jason Riazi is all of twelve years when he first learns that his father did not die in a car accident and that his mother has been living illegally in America.
His whole world shatters when one day he witnesses his mother being escorted by the police. Scared of the deportation that is sure to follow, Jason has only one thought in mind - to get to a family friend living in NYC. But at such a young age, and all alone in the city without any resources, Jason quickly comes to realize that his plan is a lot more difficult than he had anticipated.
This story grew on me rather quickly. The world as seen through Jason's eyes is a rather terrifying place, especially for a child who is forced to fend for themselves. But I loved the sense of solidarity that eventually permeates the plot execution as Jason finds solace in the form of strangers who help him.
A large chunk of the novel spans Jason and Max's adventures from Elkton to NYC. Towards the end of the book, I felt that a few of the scenes could've been cut out because it felt a little draggy. But the ending sort of redeems it and elicited a few tears from me.
In its commentary on diaspora and bicultural identity, the story forces us to contemplate about the walls built between nations and just how rampant bigotry is in the world.
Would definitely recommend that you pick up this title.
His whole world shatters when one day he witnesses his mother being escorted by the police. Scared of the deportation that is sure to follow, Jason has only one thought in mind - to get to a family friend living in NYC. But at such a young age, and all alone in the city without any resources, Jason quickly comes to realize that his plan is a lot more difficult than he had anticipated.
This story grew on me rather quickly. The world as seen through Jason's eyes is a rather terrifying place, especially for a child who is forced to fend for themselves. But I loved the sense of solidarity that eventually permeates the plot execution as Jason finds solace in the form of strangers who help him.
A large chunk of the novel spans Jason and Max's adventures from Elkton to NYC. Towards the end of the book, I felt that a few of the scenes could've been cut out because it felt a little draggy. But the ending sort of redeems it and elicited a few tears from me.
In its commentary on diaspora and bicultural identity, the story forces us to contemplate about the walls built between nations and just how rampant bigotry is in the world.
Would definitely recommend that you pick up this title.
August 16, 2025
"وكأننا في السماء...رحلة أم أفغانية في أرض الأحلام"
رحلة جديدة مع الأدب الأفغاني ورواية "وكأننا في السماء" للكاتبة الأفغانية الأمريكية "نادية هاشمي" والصادرة عن "دار كلمات"، في الرواية دي بتاخدنا الكاتبة إلى عالم "جيسون دي" وأمه اللي قدرت تخرج بيه من أفغانستان بعد مقt الأب اللي كان بيشتغل مترجم للجيش الأمريكي أثناء الحrب الأمريكية الأفغانية، الأم اللي قدرت تأمن الجنسية الأمريكية لإبنها، مقدرتش تعمل دة لنفسها ف كانت ف نظر القانون مهاجرة غير شرعية، لحد م ف يوم يتقبض عليها وبتبدأ مغامرة جيسون دي الكبرى
بنشوف بعيون طفل ازاي ممكن الحياة تبقى قاسية بشكل مفاجئ، ف النغامرة بنتعرف على المجتمع الأمريكي بشكل سطحي"ومثالي نوعاً ما بالنسبة لي" ولكن يمكن دة الواقع، بنشوف جيسون ومغامرته مع صديقته" ماكس" وبنعرف شوية عن معاناة الأطفال مع مرض قاسي زي الصرع، بنعرف كمان عن "منبه أمبر" اللي بتطلقه الشرطة ف نيويورك في محاولة للعثور على طفل مفقود أو تائه
مغامرة جميلة حقيقي، بنشوف قد إيه ممكن طفل يغامر بكل خوفه عشان يوصل لحد يتطمن معاه"خالته سيما"، بنشوف قد ايه العالم قاسي ولكن لا يخلو من مساكين يعرفوا يعني إيه رح��ة ودة اللي حافظ على جيسون طول الوقت
عجبني ف الرواية مجموعة إقتباسات منها"
*انا ممتن لان بامكاني التحرك حتى وانا لست متاكدا من انني في المسار الصحيح
*استمع لما يمليه عليك قلبك، وليس لاي قطعة ورق
*احيانا يخرق الناس القواعد لانهم يعتقدون انا هذا كل ما يمكنهم فعله
الرواية مصنفة أدب يافعين ولكن انا شايفة انها تصلح لأي قارئ، يمكن مش بتقل باقي روايات الكاتبة ولكنها رواية ممتعة، الترجمة بديعة كالعادة من "إيمان حرز الله" اللي بقى إسمها لوحده ثقة على أي عمل مترجم، مشكلتي الوحيدة ان كان فيه بعض اخطاء كتابة وتنسيق ف نسختي الورقية
رواية ملهمة، ليها معايا ذكرى لطيفة"سفري لأول ايفنتات قعدة وهبان" وبتحمل توقيعات كل اللي قابلتهم يومها، ف هتفضل دايما معايا
#رفقاء٢٠٢٥
#وكأننا_في_السماء
#قراءات_حرة
#قراءات_اغسطس
1/27
رحلة جديدة مع الأدب الأفغاني ورواية "وكأننا في السماء" للكاتبة الأفغانية الأمريكية "نادية هاشمي" والصادرة عن "دار كلمات"، في الرواية دي بتاخدنا الكاتبة إلى عالم "جيسون دي" وأمه اللي قدرت تخرج بيه من أفغانستان بعد مقt الأب اللي كان بيشتغل مترجم للجيش الأمريكي أثناء الحrب الأمريكية الأفغانية، الأم اللي قدرت تأمن الجنسية الأمريكية لإبنها، مقدرتش تعمل دة لنفسها ف كانت ف نظر القانون مهاجرة غير شرعية، لحد م ف يوم يتقبض عليها وبتبدأ مغامرة جيسون دي الكبرى
بنشوف بعيون طفل ازاي ممكن الحياة تبقى قاسية بشكل مفاجئ، ف النغامرة بنتعرف على المجتمع الأمريكي بشكل سطحي"ومثالي نوعاً ما بالنسبة لي" ولكن يمكن دة الواقع، بنشوف جيسون ومغامرته مع صديقته" ماكس" وبنعرف شوية عن معاناة الأطفال مع مرض قاسي زي الصرع، بنعرف كمان عن "منبه أمبر" اللي بتطلقه الشرطة ف نيويورك في محاولة للعثور على طفل مفقود أو تائه
مغامرة جميلة حقيقي، بنشوف قد إيه ممكن طفل يغامر بكل خوفه عشان يوصل لحد يتطمن معاه"خالته سيما"، بنشوف قد ايه العالم قاسي ولكن لا يخلو من مساكين يعرفوا يعني إيه رح��ة ودة اللي حافظ على جيسون طول الوقت
عجبني ف الرواية مجموعة إقتباسات منها"
*انا ممتن لان بامكاني التحرك حتى وانا لست متاكدا من انني في المسار الصحيح
*استمع لما يمليه عليك قلبك، وليس لاي قطعة ورق
*احيانا يخرق الناس القواعد لانهم يعتقدون انا هذا كل ما يمكنهم فعله
الرواية مصنفة أدب يافعين ولكن انا شايفة انها تصلح لأي قارئ، يمكن مش بتقل باقي روايات الكاتبة ولكنها رواية ممتعة، الترجمة بديعة كالعادة من "إيمان حرز الله" اللي بقى إسمها لوحده ثقة على أي عمل مترجم، مشكلتي الوحيدة ان كان فيه بعض اخطاء كتابة وتنسيق ف نسختي الورقية
رواية ملهمة، ليها معايا ذكرى لطيفة"سفري لأول ايفنتات قعدة وهبان" وبتحمل توقيعات كل اللي قابلتهم يومها، ف هتفضل دايما معايا
#رفقاء٢٠٢٥
#وكأننا_في_السماء
#قراءات_حرة
#قراءات_اغسطس
1/27
January 18, 2021
After listening to his father’s death story from his mother, our twelve year old narrator Jason D, comes to know about the feebly knitted roots in his motherland Afghanistan. He realizes his origin belongs to some other county but not America though it’s his birth place. Living with expired documents & feared of strained tensions between the two countries Jason’s mother lives an almost incognito life from years together by christening his son , an American name. Serendipitously, his mother is taken into custody of police force one unfortunate day which ignites Jason’s journey of escapade & hiding.
I am a huge fan of Nadia Hashimi’s 'Pearl that broke its shell' for its poignant plot & narration which churned my heart to no extent. But this is something not similar to that. Here, Hashimi introduces a twelve year old boy Jason D voicing his ambiguity & naivity in the process of protecting his mother - he himself being lost in the jig saw puzzle of blocks of the New York city. I loved this girl called Max so much, she is a lovely, intelligent & stubborn girl. She is like a energy booster pumping up Jason's instincts & acts like a catalyst in speeding up Jason achieving his destination. Their unblemished & blameless friendship holds the heart of the book.
Hashimi has tacitly brought out the issues of immigration, disposition & identity threat with a subtle stroke of innocence & novice of Jason. The usual brutal & adamant behavior of police/army towards the deported is interstingly contrasted with compassion, humitity & decency. It's always impactful reading crises from a child's gentle perspective & this book with a coating of slight humour stealthily tells us how deeply & strongly a lone untoward incident creates a chasmic fissure on tender souls of children.
I am a huge fan of Nadia Hashimi’s 'Pearl that broke its shell' for its poignant plot & narration which churned my heart to no extent. But this is something not similar to that. Here, Hashimi introduces a twelve year old boy Jason D voicing his ambiguity & naivity in the process of protecting his mother - he himself being lost in the jig saw puzzle of blocks of the New York city. I loved this girl called Max so much, she is a lovely, intelligent & stubborn girl. She is like a energy booster pumping up Jason's instincts & acts like a catalyst in speeding up Jason achieving his destination. Their unblemished & blameless friendship holds the heart of the book.
Hashimi has tacitly brought out the issues of immigration, disposition & identity threat with a subtle stroke of innocence & novice of Jason. The usual brutal & adamant behavior of police/army towards the deported is interstingly contrasted with compassion, humitity & decency. It's always impactful reading crises from a child's gentle perspective & this book with a coating of slight humour stealthily tells us how deeply & strongly a lone untoward incident creates a chasmic fissure on tender souls of children.
July 6, 2018
Thing is, the reason this book gets a 3-star from me is because I’m reading it as an adult. I saw the premise of the book and I loved it esp with Trump deporting thousands of Muslim families on the border.
So it’s a beautiful take about the separation of a mother and her 12-year kid because her mother was an illegal immigrant and the kid was an American born afghan.
But halfway through the book, I googled the book and saw that it was a children’s’ book. And that made it so clear! Because the writing is simple, childish, and very amateur. There comes this whole Max and Jason’s friendship thing and half of the book is hat. Their blossoming friendship and escape which is extremely adorable, don’t get me wrong but maybe I was looking for something much more along the lines of “what shall happen to this kid now” or “what’s happening to the mother as she is taken away?” Or “who will fight for these immigrants now?” But I guess naturally, the author avoided these serious issues bec it’s a kids book?
Nevertheless, it wasn’t a 2-star bad but it also wasn’t much more than a 3-star.
Maybe a 10 year old me would have given it a 4 stars.
So it’s a beautiful take about the separation of a mother and her 12-year kid because her mother was an illegal immigrant and the kid was an American born afghan.
But halfway through the book, I googled the book and saw that it was a children’s’ book. And that made it so clear! Because the writing is simple, childish, and very amateur. There comes this whole Max and Jason’s friendship thing and half of the book is hat. Their blossoming friendship and escape which is extremely adorable, don’t get me wrong but maybe I was looking for something much more along the lines of “what shall happen to this kid now” or “what’s happening to the mother as she is taken away?” Or “who will fight for these immigrants now?” But I guess naturally, the author avoided these serious issues bec it’s a kids book?
Nevertheless, it wasn’t a 2-star bad but it also wasn’t much more than a 3-star.
Maybe a 10 year old me would have given it a 4 stars.
July 2, 2018
Wow! This book was so good! It has a lot of determination. To hop on a train, talk to the police, get a concussion with no one there to help and guide you? That's what I can determination.
April 1, 2018
Richie’s Picks: THE SKY AT OUR FEET by Nadia Hashimi, HarperCollins, March 2018, 304p., ISBN: 978-0-06-242193-7
“That very night in Max’s room a forest grew
and grew--
and grew until his ceiling hung with vines
and the walls became the world all around”
--Maurice Sendak, from Where the Wild Things Are, as painted on an outdoor stairway at the Central Park Zoo
“‘I fall behind in school,’ my mom explains, continuing the story. ‘They sent me letters. I tried to explain I need time. You were so small and still in the hospital. Then I got one letter that says I cannot be in this country. The letter tells me I have to leave, but how can I go? My baby is in the hospital and your father’s grave is not yet covered in grass. And the people who called our families, they were still calling. They are angry because your father’s face was on the front of the newspaper and many people loved him. The bad people, they promise that the country will never be safe for his family.’
So she stayed in America.
But with my father dead, what were the chances that they would give his family a visa? Who could she ask without risking being sent back to Afghanistan?
At any point, she could be found. At any point, she could be arrested. She had an expired passport and an expired student visa. That meant that if the authorities found her, they would send her back to Afghanistan. Knowing what happened to my father and the terrible words the people said, she had to make an impossible choice.”
Twelve year-old Jason D. Riazi is a American citizen, with an Americanized name, living in New Jersey. He was born here. As a premie, he began life with an extended stay in the hospital.
But his Afghan mother doesn’t have the blessing of American citizenship. She’d just arrived in America on that student visa when she learned she was pregnant. Jason’s father, an Afghan who was working as a translator for the American forces in Afghanistan, had successfully secured his wife’s student visa shortly before he was murdered.
All these years later, it’s only a matter of weeks after Jason’s mom explains to him that she’s been in the country illegally, that Jason sees his mother being handcuffed at work and dragged away. He’s sure she’s going to be deported to Afghanistan.
Jason runs home to their little apartment just long enough to grab a change of clothes and some parental photographs before heading toward Manhattan where “Auntie” Seema, his mother’s best friend in America, has recently moved. But short of sustenance, Jason passes out in Penn Station, sustains a concussion when he falls, and ends up in the pediatric ward of a Manhattan hospital. That’s where he meets Max, a girl his age who is pretty cagey about why her head’s all wired up to electrodes, and why she’s as determined as him to escape the hospital.
There is as much of a joy vibe, as there is tension, when the duo successfully breaks out of the ward and heads to the Central Park Zoo--Max’s wish fulfillment--on the way to tracking down the apartment where Jason’s “auntie” lives.
What will happen to Jason D., his mom, and to Max?
There has always been a push among some Americans, no matter how recently their own forebears arrived, to exclude others from having the same opportunities to escape dangerous or miserable countries and come to America. “Do these strangers belong here?” is a question that divides those of us who are mindful that our own forebears were despised foreigners not all that that long ago from other Americans whose memories are shorter and whose hearts aren’t so generous.
Author Nadia Hashimi, M.D. has woven her own background as a first-generation Afghan-American with aspects of her work as a pediatric doctor to craft a tale that is exciting, heartstopping, topical, and realistic. And joyful. While hinting at the fearful political situation that plagues immigrants in today’s America, she delivers a tale that’s filled with great riddles and actually has a happy ending.
This is one that I’ll be talking up to the 10-to-14 year-old crowd.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“That very night in Max’s room a forest grew
and grew--
and grew until his ceiling hung with vines
and the walls became the world all around”
--Maurice Sendak, from Where the Wild Things Are, as painted on an outdoor stairway at the Central Park Zoo
“‘I fall behind in school,’ my mom explains, continuing the story. ‘They sent me letters. I tried to explain I need time. You were so small and still in the hospital. Then I got one letter that says I cannot be in this country. The letter tells me I have to leave, but how can I go? My baby is in the hospital and your father’s grave is not yet covered in grass. And the people who called our families, they were still calling. They are angry because your father’s face was on the front of the newspaper and many people loved him. The bad people, they promise that the country will never be safe for his family.’
So she stayed in America.
But with my father dead, what were the chances that they would give his family a visa? Who could she ask without risking being sent back to Afghanistan?
At any point, she could be found. At any point, she could be arrested. She had an expired passport and an expired student visa. That meant that if the authorities found her, they would send her back to Afghanistan. Knowing what happened to my father and the terrible words the people said, she had to make an impossible choice.”
Twelve year-old Jason D. Riazi is a American citizen, with an Americanized name, living in New Jersey. He was born here. As a premie, he began life with an extended stay in the hospital.
But his Afghan mother doesn’t have the blessing of American citizenship. She’d just arrived in America on that student visa when she learned she was pregnant. Jason’s father, an Afghan who was working as a translator for the American forces in Afghanistan, had successfully secured his wife’s student visa shortly before he was murdered.
All these years later, it’s only a matter of weeks after Jason’s mom explains to him that she’s been in the country illegally, that Jason sees his mother being handcuffed at work and dragged away. He’s sure she’s going to be deported to Afghanistan.
Jason runs home to their little apartment just long enough to grab a change of clothes and some parental photographs before heading toward Manhattan where “Auntie” Seema, his mother’s best friend in America, has recently moved. But short of sustenance, Jason passes out in Penn Station, sustains a concussion when he falls, and ends up in the pediatric ward of a Manhattan hospital. That’s where he meets Max, a girl his age who is pretty cagey about why her head’s all wired up to electrodes, and why she’s as determined as him to escape the hospital.
There is as much of a joy vibe, as there is tension, when the duo successfully breaks out of the ward and heads to the Central Park Zoo--Max’s wish fulfillment--on the way to tracking down the apartment where Jason’s “auntie” lives.
What will happen to Jason D., his mom, and to Max?
There has always been a push among some Americans, no matter how recently their own forebears arrived, to exclude others from having the same opportunities to escape dangerous or miserable countries and come to America. “Do these strangers belong here?” is a question that divides those of us who are mindful that our own forebears were despised foreigners not all that that long ago from other Americans whose memories are shorter and whose hearts aren’t so generous.
Author Nadia Hashimi, M.D. has woven her own background as a first-generation Afghan-American with aspects of her work as a pediatric doctor to craft a tale that is exciting, heartstopping, topical, and realistic. And joyful. While hinting at the fearful political situation that plagues immigrants in today’s America, she delivers a tale that’s filled with great riddles and actually has a happy ending.
This is one that I’ll be talking up to the 10-to-14 year-old crowd.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
May 3, 2021
This is the 5th book that I've read by this author and out of all of them, this was my least favorite. A young boy sees his illegal Afghan mom being led away by officers so he sets off to find his Auntie in New York City.
There were just too many convenient coincidences that fell from the sky for two reasons: one, whenever trouble was needed to propel the story forward and secondly, this tactic was also used in getting the kids out of the trouble they were suddenly in. Some of these were so improbable. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I've liked her other books....so 2 stars.
There were just too many convenient coincidences that fell from the sky for two reasons: one, whenever trouble was needed to propel the story forward and secondly, this tactic was also used in getting the kids out of the trouble they were suddenly in. Some of these were so improbable. I didn't enjoy this one as much as I've liked her other books....so 2 stars.
May 7, 2018
When two men, who do not look like customers, start talking to his mother at work in New Jersey, Jason is terrified that his mother will be sent back to Afghanistan since she is not a U.S citizen. Remaining hidden he watches the frightening scene unfold, and when he finally sees his mother riding away with these men, he knows he has to flee and try to locate his aunt in New York City. The problem is he doesn’t have much money, a cell phone, a phone number for her, or even a complete address, and only a vague recollection of where she lives. Through an accident and a hospital stay Jason meets up with Max, a spunky girl who claims to be a genius, who is sick of too much time in the hospital, and hungry for an adventure, she offers to help him. Escaping from the hospital turns out to be the easy part. During the run it becomes apparent that Max is sicker than she claims, getting worse by the minute, and her parents are frantic to find her. With all these difficulties, will they be able to survive and find his aunt? Written for tweens, this book is a timely, enjoyable, realistic adventure.
Sharyn H. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.
June 12, 2025
رواية في أدب اليافعين.
تبدأ الحكاية بعد هروب جيسون دي مع ماكس من المستشفى، مغامرة لا يتوقف فيها الجري و متعة الحركة وراء الأحداث، كأنها فيلم عشوائي تتابعه بملل وسط الأسبوع.
جيسون يبحث عن طريقة للوصول لوالدته.
ماكس (مصابة بالصرع) تهرب بحثًا عن تجربة جديدة بعيد عن رتابة المستشفى و الأسلاك و العلاجات الطبية.
من أفغانستان إلى أمريكا، رحلة طويلة، و أسرار مخفية.
ثقافة مختلفة في بلد ثاني، بحثاً عن الهوية و الإنتماء، هرباً من الحرب و رغبة في إيجاد الجذور على سطح أرض ثابتة، كالطيور المهاجرة تحلق بعيداً نحو السماء.
--
اقتباسات:
- "حين سأكبر، سأسافر حول العالم، سأزور كل بلد فيه، و سأتعلم لغات مختلفة، و أتناول الأطعمة المختلفة".
تبدأ الحكاية بعد هروب جيسون دي مع ماكس من المستشفى، مغامرة لا يتوقف فيها الجري و متعة الحركة وراء الأحداث، كأنها فيلم عشوائي تتابعه بملل وسط الأسبوع.
جيسون يبحث عن طريقة للوصول لوالدته.
ماكس (مصابة بالصرع) تهرب بحثًا عن تجربة جديدة بعيد عن رتابة المستشفى و الأسلاك و العلاجات الطبية.
من أفغانستان إلى أمريكا، رحلة طويلة، و أسرار مخفية.
ثقافة مختلفة في بلد ثاني، بحثاً عن الهوية و الإنتماء، هرباً من الحرب و رغبة في إيجاد الجذور على سطح أرض ثابتة، كالطيور المهاجرة تحلق بعيداً نحو السماء.
--
اقتباسات:
- "حين سأكبر، سأسافر حول العالم، سأزور كل بلد فيه، و سأتعلم لغات مختلفة، و أتناول الأطعمة المختلفة".
January 22, 2020
The Sky at Our Feet is a really good book. It's about a boy called Jason who learns that his Afghan mother has been living in the United States illegally ever since his father was killed in Afghanistan. After seeing his mother being taken away from her workplace Jason decides board a train to try and find his aunt in New York. But soon after arriving an accident leads him being stuck in a hospital where he makes friends with another patient called Max. Max just wants to explore the world, and Jason just wants to find his aunt to help reunite with his mother, so they decide to plan a escape...
April 5, 2019
Dramatic tale of friendship, courage, and the heartache of a child seeing his mother detained and not knowing what to do. After an accident, he makes a friend who will give him the courage and support he needs to find someone who can help.
Jason's mother is an Afghani citizen with undocumented immigrant status, overstaying a a student visa due to tragic circumstances. When he sees her taken away from her place of employment, he is devastated and embarks on a journey to find a family friend.
I loved the riddles and brain teasers Ms. Hashimi included in the book. For example, "I am the thing that falls on water without getting wet and falls to the earth without breaking. What am I?" (p. 199)
Another example: "You have to fill in the blanks. Fifty-two C in a D." (p. 117)
Overall, it's an engaging read, although I cautioned the children in our local library book club never to follow his example - it would cause too much worry and heartache for parents and loved ones and could end up ending very badly. Still, like the adventures in many of the books we read, it was exciting to live vicariously through his journey.
interesting quotes:
"Do you know why people look to the sky when they pray, Shah-jan? Do you know why we hang flags so far above our heads? Because we want to touch that sky, the sky that turns from blue to purple to pink and orange. You can find all colors in the sky. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds - it has room for them all. That's why I love this country, my king. It is like the sky at our feet." (p. 26, 264)
"It's a lot easier to be scared together." (p. 142)
"My teacher totally flipped. She tried to be cool while she asked me why I'd brought in spiders and worms but her voice was as squeaky as a mouse. I told her it's what special and brave kids do." (p. 154)
"I like that about Max - she only smiles when there's something to smile about." (p. 172)
"Mr. Fazio once told me that necessity is the mother of invention. It means that people start getting really smart when they need to - when there's something that's forcing them to think creatively." (p. 194)
Jason's mother is an Afghani citizen with undocumented immigrant status, overstaying a a student visa due to tragic circumstances. When he sees her taken away from her place of employment, he is devastated and embarks on a journey to find a family friend.
I loved the riddles and brain teasers Ms. Hashimi included in the book. For example, "I am the thing that falls on water without getting wet and falls to the earth without breaking. What am I?" (p. 199)
Another example: "You have to fill in the blanks. Fifty-two C in a D." (p. 117)
Overall, it's an engaging read, although I cautioned the children in our local library book club never to follow his example - it would cause too much worry and heartache for parents and loved ones and could end up ending very badly. Still, like the adventures in many of the books we read, it was exciting to live vicariously through his journey.
interesting quotes:
"Do you know why people look to the sky when they pray, Shah-jan? Do you know why we hang flags so far above our heads? Because we want to touch that sky, the sky that turns from blue to purple to pink and orange. You can find all colors in the sky. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds - it has room for them all. That's why I love this country, my king. It is like the sky at our feet." (p. 26, 264)
"It's a lot easier to be scared together." (p. 142)
"My teacher totally flipped. She tried to be cool while she asked me why I'd brought in spiders and worms but her voice was as squeaky as a mouse. I told her it's what special and brave kids do." (p. 154)
"I like that about Max - she only smiles when there's something to smile about." (p. 172)
"Mr. Fazio once told me that necessity is the mother of invention. It means that people start getting really smart when they need to - when there's something that's forcing them to think creatively." (p. 194)
December 30, 2023
نادية هاشمي من الكاتبات اللاتي أنتظر جديدهن بفارغ الصبر.
بداية من "اللؤلؤة التي كسرت محارتها" مروراً ب"حين يقترب القمر" و "بيت بلا نوافذ" لم تُخيب ظني أبداً.
أما عملها الجديد الذي بين يدي الآن، فأنا أشعر أن هاشمي تعيد نفسها! ففكرة الرواية وأبطالها متشابهة كثيراً مع روايتها "حين يقترب القمر" لكن عكست اتجاهات رحلتها فقط!
سيدة أفغانية أتتها تأشيرة للسفر لأمريكا لمتابعة دراستها فذهبت تنتظر زوجها الصحفي ليلحق بها لكنه توفي قبل ذلك وكانت وقتها حاملاً في فتاها الذي سيأتي ويخوض هذه الرحلة.
أم أفغانية، تخلت عن حلمها لأن تصبح طبيبة، وعاشت متخفية من أجل حماية ابنها، تأتي الشرطة ذات يوم وتقبض عليها وتترك ابنها وحيداً يخوض معركته الغير متكافئة مع الحياة!
رواية كما ذُكر على غلافها، صالحة للقراءة والدراسة لمن هم في عمر التوجيهي _الثانوية.
تمت
٢٨ ديسمبر ٢٠٢٣
بداية من "اللؤلؤة التي كسرت محارتها" مروراً ب"حين يقترب القمر" و "بيت بلا نوافذ" لم تُخيب ظني أبداً.
أما عملها الجديد الذي بين يدي الآن، فأنا أشعر أن هاشمي تعيد نفسها! ففكرة الرواية وأبطالها متشابهة كثيراً مع روايتها "حين يقترب القمر" لكن عكست اتجاهات رحلتها فقط!
سيدة أفغانية أتتها تأشيرة للسفر لأمريكا لمتابعة دراستها فذهبت تنتظر زوجها الصحفي ليلحق بها لكنه توفي قبل ذلك وكانت وقتها حاملاً في فتاها الذي سيأتي ويخوض هذه الرحلة.
أم أفغانية، تخلت عن حلمها لأن تصبح طبيبة، وعاشت متخفية من أجل حماية ابنها، تأتي الشرطة ذات يوم وتقبض عليها وتترك ابنها وحيداً يخوض معركته الغير متكافئة مع الحياة!
رواية كما ذُكر على غلافها، صالحة للقراءة والدراسة لمن هم في عمر التوجيهي _الثانوية.
تمت
٢٨ ديسمبر ٢٠٢٣
July 30, 2021
Couldn't bring myself to finish it. Maybe another time. Unlike other novels by the same author, didn't find it to be engaging.
April 21, 2025
Loved the cliff hangers and the plot. Cute ending.
August 25, 2024
رواية موجهة للناشئة .
جيسون دي طفل في الثانية عشرة من عمره يعيش مع أمه الأفغانية في أمريكا والده متوفى قبل أن يولد.
تقبض الشرطة على الأم لأنها لا تملك إقامة شرعية في أمريكا ، يرى جيسون والدته تقاد لسيارة الشرطة من مكان عملها في المغسلة فيخاف ويهرب.
كانت والدته قد أخبرته مؤخراً عن والده الصحفي الأفغاني الذي قتل قبل أن يلحق بزوجته الحامل لأمريكا تاركاً إياها بلا حول ولا فوة فانتهت صلاحية تأشيرتها الدراسية واضطرت للعيش كمهاجرة غير شرعية بلا أوراق تحت خطر الترحيل لأفغانستان حيث تهدد عائلتها بالقتل من نفس الأشخاص الذين قتلوا زوجها، لكنها قررت تناسي الأمر والعمل و تربية ولدها ليكون أمريكياً حقيقياً حتى أنها أعطته اسماً أمريكياً خالصاً.
يحاول جيسون أن يهرب لنيويورك قبل أن تجده الشرطة وتعطيه لعائلة تتبناه، إذ تسكن في نيويورك صديقة والدته الوحيدة الخالة سيما.
يصاب جيسون في محطة القطار في رأسه ويغمى عليه فيجد نفسه في المشفى وشرطي يحقق معه يخشى أن يكون هارباً من منزله فيمثل دور فاقد الذاكرة.
يتعرف في المشفى على طفلة من عمره اسمها ماكس يتصل رأسها بأسلاك تخبره أنها لاختبارات العبقرية التي تجرى عليها وتفترح عليه الهرب فهي حبيسة دوماً وتريد أن تعيش كطفلة طبيعية ويمكنها أن تساعده في الوصول لخالته لأنها من نيويورك بعكسه فنيويورك كبيرة ومخيفة كما كانت تقول والدته.
فهل سيتمكن الطفلان من الهرب؟ وهل سيتمكن جيسون من الوصول للخالة سيما؟ وهل سيلتقي بأمه ؟.
رواية تركز على فكرتين الأولى الجيل الثاني من المهاجرين هل يعتبرون أنفسهم أمريكيين حقيقيين أم تابعين لبلادهم الأصلية أم يحملون هويتي البلدين معاً .
والفكرة الثانية مرض الصرع عند الأطفال ( ويمكن سحب الفكرة على كل أمراض الأطفال ) ومحاولة تغيير الفكرة المأخوذة عنه وتوعية الناس للتعامل معهم إذ يمكن اعتبارهم أطفالاً أصحاء وموهوبين.
الفكرة التي لم تعجبني محاولة الكاتبة أن تبرز أمريكا على أنها الطرف البريء الخيّر في الصراع الأفغاني وأن الأفغان هم الطرف الشرير ويتقاتلون فيما بينهم وأن المترجمين الذين عملوا مع الجنود الأمريكيين أخيار يتم اتهامهم بالجاسوسية والعمالة واغتيالهم على أيدي الأشرار وملاحقة أسرهم أيضاً .
ومحاولتها المستميتة في إثبات أن أمريكا هي الحلم وبلد الحريات وأن كل من فيها من اللاجئين والمهاجرين من كل بقاع الدنيا يحاولون الانسلاخ عن بلدهم الأم ليكونوا أمريكيين حقيقيين.
أن تكون في أمريكا وكأنك في السماء.
ملاحظات :
الرواية كلها مبنية على هرب الولد بعد اعتقال أمه ، هل من المعقول أن الأم لم تخبر طفلها عن أنها لا تملك أوراق إقامة شرعية ولم تضع له خطة أو سيناريو فيما إذا حدث اعتقالها ؟ وهو ليس صغيراً جداً ١٢ سنة ناضج وواع ويمكن له أن يتصرف كما يقال له . وهل من المعقول أن امرأة كانت تدرس الطب لا تعرف أحداً ولم يساعدها زملاء أو أساتذة لتجاوز محنة موت زوجها ولم يسأل عنها أحد طوال ١٢ سنة ولم تكون علاقات مع أحد ولم تتقبل نصيحة صديقتها بتقديم طلب اللجوء السياسي ؟.
للصراحة بدأت أغير رأيي بالكاتبة وربما لن أقرأ لها ثانية .
د.نسرين درّاج
جيسون دي طفل في الثانية عشرة من عمره يعيش مع أمه الأفغانية في أمريكا والده متوفى قبل أن يولد.
تقبض الشرطة على الأم لأنها لا تملك إقامة شرعية في أمريكا ، يرى جيسون والدته تقاد لسيارة الشرطة من مكان عملها في المغسلة فيخاف ويهرب.
كانت والدته قد أخبرته مؤخراً عن والده الصحفي الأفغاني الذي قتل قبل أن يلحق بزوجته الحامل لأمريكا تاركاً إياها بلا حول ولا فوة فانتهت صلاحية تأشيرتها الدراسية واضطرت للعيش كمهاجرة غير شرعية بلا أوراق تحت خطر الترحيل لأفغانستان حيث تهدد عائلتها بالقتل من نفس الأشخاص الذين قتلوا زوجها، لكنها قررت تناسي الأمر والعمل و تربية ولدها ليكون أمريكياً حقيقياً حتى أنها أعطته اسماً أمريكياً خالصاً.
يحاول جيسون أن يهرب لنيويورك قبل أن تجده الشرطة وتعطيه لعائلة تتبناه، إذ تسكن في نيويورك صديقة والدته الوحيدة الخالة سيما.
يصاب جيسون في محطة القطار في رأسه ويغمى عليه فيجد نفسه في المشفى وشرطي يحقق معه يخشى أن يكون هارباً من منزله فيمثل دور فاقد الذاكرة.
يتعرف في المشفى على طفلة من عمره اسمها ماكس يتصل رأسها بأسلاك تخبره أنها لاختبارات العبقرية التي تجرى عليها وتفترح عليه الهرب فهي حبيسة دوماً وتريد أن تعيش كطفلة طبيعية ويمكنها أن تساعده في الوصول لخالته لأنها من نيويورك بعكسه فنيويورك كبيرة ومخيفة كما كانت تقول والدته.
فهل سيتمكن الطفلان من الهرب؟ وهل سيتمكن جيسون من الوصول للخالة سيما؟ وهل سيلتقي بأمه ؟.
رواية تركز على فكرتين الأولى الجيل الثاني من المهاجرين هل يعتبرون أنفسهم أمريكيين حقيقيين أم تابعين لبلادهم الأصلية أم يحملون هويتي البلدين معاً .
والفكرة الثانية مرض الصرع عند الأطفال ( ويمكن سحب الفكرة على كل أمراض الأطفال ) ومحاولة تغيير الفكرة المأخوذة عنه وتوعية الناس للتعامل معهم إذ يمكن اعتبارهم أطفالاً أصحاء وموهوبين.
الفكرة التي لم تعجبني محاولة الكاتبة أن تبرز أمريكا على أنها الطرف البريء الخيّر في الصراع الأفغاني وأن الأفغان هم الطرف الشرير ويتقاتلون فيما بينهم وأن المترجمين الذين عملوا مع الجنود الأمريكيين أخيار يتم اتهامهم بالجاسوسية والعمالة واغتيالهم على أيدي الأشرار وملاحقة أسرهم أيضاً .
ومحاولتها المستميتة في إثبات أن أمريكا هي الحلم وبلد الحريات وأن كل من فيها من اللاجئين والمهاجرين من كل بقاع الدنيا يحاولون الانسلاخ عن بلدهم الأم ليكونوا أمريكيين حقيقيين.
أن تكون في أمريكا وكأنك في السماء.
ملاحظات :
الرواية كلها مبنية على هرب الولد بعد اعتقال أمه ، هل من المعقول أن الأم لم تخبر طفلها عن أنها لا تملك أوراق إقامة شرعية ولم تضع له خطة أو سيناريو فيما إذا حدث اعتقالها ؟ وهو ليس صغيراً جداً ١٢ سنة ناضج وواع ويمكن له أن يتصرف كما يقال له . وهل من المعقول أن امرأة كانت تدرس الطب لا تعرف أحداً ولم يساعدها زملاء أو أساتذة لتجاوز محنة موت زوجها ولم يسأل عنها أحد طوال ١٢ سنة ولم تكون علاقات مع أحد ولم تتقبل نصيحة صديقتها بتقديم طلب اللجوء السياسي ؟.
للصراحة بدأت أغير رأيي بالكاتبة وربما لن أقرأ لها ثانية .
د.نسرين درّاج
May 20, 2019
The Sky at Our Feet was my audiobook read for the week and I only wish I’d listened to it sooner. With witty riddles woven throughout, this story is focused on the impact of deportation on children. Jason’s Afghan father was a translator for the US military while his mother came to the US on a visa, for safety reasons. We learn that things went badly in the past, leaving Jason’s father dead and his mother stranded with an expired visa. Now that his mother is an illegal immigrant (and witnessing the treatment of illegal immigrants on the news) she’s understandably fearful of filing the proper paperwork and being rejected, then separated from her son, and sent back to Afghanistan. As this story begins, she shares this fear with Jason.
One day, Jason witnesses his mother being taken away by men with badges and he realizes what has happened. He immediately begins his trek to safety in hopes that he’ll be reunited with his mother (rather than be placed in foster care, since he is American). Along his brave, adventurous journey, Jason builds an unlikely friendship with another youngster (also in a bind) named Max. Together they work out a plan to get Jason to safety while simultaneously meeting Max’s needs for living boldly and making important memories. I loved that the end was fulfilling while also very open-ended. What’s the status of Max? I heartily recommend this one for any children’s or middle grade library — it’s an important #ownvoices book that will be a window and mirror for those who need it.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
One day, Jason witnesses his mother being taken away by men with badges and he realizes what has happened. He immediately begins his trek to safety in hopes that he’ll be reunited with his mother (rather than be placed in foster care, since he is American). Along his brave, adventurous journey, Jason builds an unlikely friendship with another youngster (also in a bind) named Max. Together they work out a plan to get Jason to safety while simultaneously meeting Max’s needs for living boldly and making important memories. I loved that the end was fulfilling while also very open-ended. What’s the status of Max? I heartily recommend this one for any children’s or middle grade library — it’s an important #ownvoices book that will be a window and mirror for those who need it.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
April 25, 2018
The Sky At Our Feet is a story about a young boy Jason D, and his mother who had fled Afghanistan after his father's death and now are living in America as immigrants. Written from Jason's point of view its about his adventures or should I say misadventures when he finds out that his mum is can be sent to Afghanistan by the immigration officers and police.
The story is about a delicate yet very poignant issue and gives the readers a peek into the lives of immigrants to gain a better perspective over it. I really liked the parts where Jason's Mom started telling him more details about his father and how she gave him an American name so nobody would think he's different. But the story be assured, is about more than immigration. There is a very important helping side character Max who adds to the spunk to the story and takes off the tension and gives you a good laugh. I really liked Max, there's something really likable about her character.
By the middle of it I was really rooting for them both and I just wanted Jason to reach the destination, but twists kept coming in the way. All in all it was a wonderful read, a bit emotional but not in a heavy way kind of enjoyable read, the context of story is about friendship, family and conflict about oneself and their identity. I liked that Hashimi did'nt focus more on the heavy difficult overbearing details but kept it real and straighforward. :)
The story is about a delicate yet very poignant issue and gives the readers a peek into the lives of immigrants to gain a better perspective over it. I really liked the parts where Jason's Mom started telling him more details about his father and how she gave him an American name so nobody would think he's different. But the story be assured, is about more than immigration. There is a very important helping side character Max who adds to the spunk to the story and takes off the tension and gives you a good laugh. I really liked Max, there's something really likable about her character.
By the middle of it I was really rooting for them both and I just wanted Jason to reach the destination, but twists kept coming in the way. All in all it was a wonderful read, a bit emotional but not in a heavy way kind of enjoyable read, the context of story is about friendship, family and conflict about oneself and their identity. I liked that Hashimi did'nt focus more on the heavy difficult overbearing details but kept it real and straighforward. :)
August 20, 2019
***This book is a 2019-2020 Golden Sower Nominee for the Chapter Book List.***
Overall, this was a solid middle-grade read focusing on the impact of immigration, refugees, and asylum-seekers in America. Jason D.'s mother has been taken away, something she warned him could happen, because she is here against the rules. She came on a student visa, dealt with his father's unexpected death, and never returned to Afghanistan due to the threats made against her and her family. And now, years later, she has been found. As he watches, two men in dark suits take her away in the back of a car. There is no fighting. No running. And he has no one to turn to. As Jason realizes he needs to make his way to his mother's best friend, a woman he has never visited, in the large city of New York, he knows he must be brave. He can't be scared, because he doesn't have time to be. So, he sets off, determined to find his way no matter what he comes across.
Overall, this was a solid middle-grade read focusing on the impact of immigration, refugees, and asylum-seekers in America. Jason D.'s mother has been taken away, something she warned him could happen, because she is here against the rules. She came on a student visa, dealt with his father's unexpected death, and never returned to Afghanistan due to the threats made against her and her family. And now, years later, she has been found. As he watches, two men in dark suits take her away in the back of a car. There is no fighting. No running. And he has no one to turn to. As Jason realizes he needs to make his way to his mother's best friend, a woman he has never visited, in the large city of New York, he knows he must be brave. He can't be scared, because he doesn't have time to be. So, he sets off, determined to find his way no matter what he comes across.
March 9, 2024
•عنوان الكتاب: و كأننا في السماء
•اسم الكاتب: ناديه هاشمي
•ترجمة : إيمان حرز الله
•التصنيف: رواية
•دار النشر: كلمات للنشر و التوزيع
•عدد الصفحات : 256
•الطبعة : 2023
[[ مؤشر التحدي : ١٢ لعام ٢٠٢٤ ]]
•النبذة:
يقرر الطفل جيسون دي ذو الأصول الافغانية والذي يقطن في أمريكا أن يهرب خوفًا من منزله بعد أن اُخذت امه كُرهًا مع رجال الشرطة حيث يلتقي بـ ماكس في احدى المستشفيات فتبدأ رحلتهم في نيويورك لتحقيق أحلامهم.
•الرأي الشخصي:
الاسلوب الروائي بسيط واللغة غير متكلفة، بعد إنهائي قراءة الرواية وجدتها تناسب اليافعين والناشئة و أجد ان نادية هاشمي قد توجهت للفئة الأقل عمرًا حتى تعطي المساحة والفرصة لجميع القرّاء و بجميع أعمارهم لقراءة أعمالها.
وجدت بعض السرد مطولاً و به إسهاب وقد أصابني الملل في الثلث الثاني من الرواية.
رواية تناسب جميع الأعمار.
•اقتباس:
كثيرون يركضون لأنهم يريدون- و آخرون يركضون لأنهم مضطرون.
#فاطمة_المصلحي #تحدي_القراءة_العربي #تحدي_حملة_أصدقاء_الكتاب_2024 #اقرأ #اقرا #اقرأ_معي #إقرأ #إقرأ_معي #اقرأ_الان #اقرأ_العالم #اقرا_لترقى #اقرأ_لتعيش_ولا_تعيش_لتقرأ #اقرأ_ترقى #اكسبلور_قراءة #اكسبلور_كتب #اكسبلور_كتب_اقتباسات #اكسبلور_كتب_روايات_قصص #قراءة #قراءة_ممتعة #قراءة_كتاب #قراءة_في_كتاب
•اسم الكاتب: ناديه هاشمي
•ترجمة : إيمان حرز الله
•التصنيف: رواية
•دار النشر: كلمات للنشر و التوزيع
•عدد الصفحات : 256
•الطبعة : 2023
[[ مؤشر التحدي : ١٢ لعام ٢٠٢٤ ]]
•النبذة:
يقرر الطفل جيسون دي ذو الأصول الافغانية والذي يقطن في أمريكا أن يهرب خوفًا من منزله بعد أن اُخذت امه كُرهًا مع رجال الشرطة حيث يلتقي بـ ماكس في احدى المستشفيات فتبدأ رحلتهم في نيويورك لتحقيق أحلامهم.
•الرأي الشخصي:
الاسلوب الروائي بسيط واللغة غير متكلفة، بعد إنهائي قراءة الرواية وجدتها تناسب اليافعين والناشئة و أجد ان نادية هاشمي قد توجهت للفئة الأقل عمرًا حتى تعطي المساحة والفرصة لجميع القرّاء و بجميع أعمارهم لقراءة أعمالها.
وجدت بعض السرد مطولاً و به إسهاب وقد أصابني الملل في الثلث الثاني من الرواية.
رواية تناسب جميع الأعمار.
•اقتباس:
كثيرون يركضون لأنهم يريدون- و آخرون يركضون لأنهم مضطرون.
#فاطمة_المصلحي #تحدي_القراءة_العربي #تحدي_حملة_أصدقاء_الكتاب_2024 #اقرأ #اقرا #اقرأ_معي #إقرأ #إقرأ_معي #اقرأ_الان #اقرأ_العالم #اقرا_لترقى #اقرأ_لتعيش_ولا_تعيش_لتقرأ #اقرأ_ترقى #اكسبلور_قراءة #اكسبلور_كتب #اكسبلور_كتب_اقتباسات #اكسبلور_كتب_روايات_قصص #قراءة #قراءة_ممتعة #قراءة_كتاب #قراءة_في_كتاب
June 30, 2018
If books should be mirrors, then Hashimi's The Sky at Our Feet is a floor-to-ceiling one.
Informative but not preachy, this is a tale that covers a lot of ground (pardon the pun). Adventure, politics, health and science, and the sheer love of NYC all shine through. This is a book for both guys and gals: it's fast-paced enough to keep them turning the pages, has both a boy AND a girl as main characters, and teaches without being preachy. Highly recommended!
"Do you know why we hang flags so far above our heads? Because we want to touch that sky, the sky that turns from blue to purple to pink and orange. You can find all colors in the sky. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds-it has room for them all. That's why I love this country, my king. It is like the sky at our feet."
Informative but not preachy, this is a tale that covers a lot of ground (pardon the pun). Adventure, politics, health and science, and the sheer love of NYC all shine through. This is a book for both guys and gals: it's fast-paced enough to keep them turning the pages, has both a boy AND a girl as main characters, and teaches without being preachy. Highly recommended!
"Do you know why we hang flags so far above our heads? Because we want to touch that sky, the sky that turns from blue to purple to pink and orange. You can find all colors in the sky. The sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds-it has room for them all. That's why I love this country, my king. It is like the sky at our feet."
June 26, 2021
I have a feeling this will be one of my favorites from the 2022 Grand Canyon Reader Intermediate nominees. The bulk of the story takes place over the course of one day, thus making it feel like a very quick and eventful read. This is a timely story that tackles illegal immigration and what means to be an American. The main character is Afghan so it gives a different face to the topic at hand. One of my favorite lines was “She was a good person with bad options.” Overall a good read and a quality addition to a K-5 library. This would also make a fun read aloud for the 4-5 and up classroom.
January 21, 2022
Book 11
I listened to The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi, an excellent writer and storyteller; but I'm not a fan of this children's lit story. After seeing his mom get taken by ICE, a tween boy sets out to find his aunt's house in NYC. The misadventures are continuos, exaggerated, and cringey, as if she's trying to fill a predetermined page count. I'm not a fan of how children's literature expliciltly declares the characters' thoughts and emotions, robbing the reader the opportunity of conjecture.
I listened to The Sky at Our Feet by Nadia Hashimi, an excellent writer and storyteller; but I'm not a fan of this children's lit story. After seeing his mom get taken by ICE, a tween boy sets out to find his aunt's house in NYC. The misadventures are continuos, exaggerated, and cringey, as if she's trying to fill a predetermined page count. I'm not a fan of how children's literature expliciltly declares the characters' thoughts and emotions, robbing the reader the opportunity of conjecture.
December 20, 2018
Listened to over half of this on a car trip, and then listened to the rest when I got home, so that I can vote for it on the winter Cap Choices ballot. I don't like the reader, unfortunately (weird inflections in his voice, IMO), so I don't know whether I would have liked this better had I read it with my eyes. There is a very emotional ending, but the story feels somewhat thin to me. The author usually writes for adults, and I'm wondering whether this is her first children's novel.
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