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Хвърчилата не спират да летят
Може ли една стена да попречи на хвърчилата да летят? Слънцето и вятърът галят с еднаква нежност и маслиновото дърво на голия хълм от едната страна на стената, и високите треви край футболното игрище от другата ù страна.
Две деца си махат с ръце от двете страни и мечтаят за едно и също – стената да я няма. И понеже небето е на всички и на него не могат да се построят стени, децата правят хвърчила и ги пускат да се реят свободно из висините.
„Хвърчилата не спират да летят“ е една красива история за надеждата и вярата в утрешния ден, който ще дойде с мирно небе за всички.
Две деца си махат с ръце от двете страни и мечтаят за едно и също – стената да я няма. И понеже небето е на всички и на него не могат да се построят стени, децата правят хвърчила и ги пускат да се реят свободно из висините.
„Хвърчилата не спират да летят“ е една красива история за надеждата и вярата в утрешния ден, който ще дойде с мирно небе за всички.
80 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2009
16 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Michael Morpurgo
630 books3,033 followersSir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 20, 2011
Whilst most children who read Morpurgo's stories will know him for his animal tales, this is the story of a child's life in Palestine.
Told in turn by an adult film maker and Palestian 8 year old, Said, The Kites are Flying is a simple, beautiful depiction of the physical loss war creates and the hope and humanity it can foster in those ensnared in it.
Mr Max, the filmaker, and Said are brought together under the kite tree in Said's village, which looks out onto the dividing wall between Palestine and Israel in the occupied territories. Said's kites prove to hold more significance than one might initially imagine, and his quest to send them over the wall to the girl with the blue headscarf becomes a mission, which on succesful completion, shows the power of unspoken friendship transcending bariers of race and religion, from which we all might learn.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and understated, in sympathy with Morpugo's prose.
This is a wonderful story. Perfect for for key stage two children to read alone or a chapter at a time as a group exercise. As a text to underpin project work, perhaps children making their own kites, cooking honey cake, exploring landscapes through art, or writing their own diaries, it's brilliant.
Told in turn by an adult film maker and Palestian 8 year old, Said, The Kites are Flying is a simple, beautiful depiction of the physical loss war creates and the hope and humanity it can foster in those ensnared in it.
Mr Max, the filmaker, and Said are brought together under the kite tree in Said's village, which looks out onto the dividing wall between Palestine and Israel in the occupied territories. Said's kites prove to hold more significance than one might initially imagine, and his quest to send them over the wall to the girl with the blue headscarf becomes a mission, which on succesful completion, shows the power of unspoken friendship transcending bariers of race and religion, from which we all might learn.
The illustrations in the book are beautiful and understated, in sympathy with Morpugo's prose.
This is a wonderful story. Perfect for for key stage two children to read alone or a chapter at a time as a group exercise. As a text to underpin project work, perhaps children making their own kites, cooking honey cake, exploring landscapes through art, or writing their own diaries, it's brilliant.
January 29, 2018
"Every time I fly a kite... I'm thinking it's me up there, and that I'm far away from all this down here, far away from the soldiers and the checkpoints and the tanks. Up there I'm out of it. I go whereever the wind takes me and no one can stop me. No soldiers, no checkpoints, no tanks." (Mahmoud)
Flying kite –maybe— is an ordinary activity for children in a country with normal condition, but not in Palestine. Read this paragraph, written by Ramzy Baroud about his childhood, that I quoted from:https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/...
“… During the Uprising’s summers, there would be dozens of kites, all red, black, green and white wavering atop the Israeli military camp and temporary detention center. The soldiers would often fly into a rage, storm the camp, seeking their target: children with kites. We could determine the location of the raid when all the kites from a particular location would fall from the sky in unison.
“One afternoon, I sat upon the staircase of our home in the camp, a white cinderblock home, adorned with patriotic graffiti. It was safe to fly my kite as my father was in Israel, joining tens of thousands of Palestinians who negotiated a living wage under the harshest of circumstances. Out of nowhere, Israeli jeeps leapt into the open area, separating my house from the Martyrs Graveyard. Children ran in panic. Teargas grenades were lobbed in frenzy. Kites fell all around like wounded eagles. I too ran, in circles, without letting go of my kite.
“It was not bravery. Far from it. I was frightened beyond comprehension. But it took me months to finally have a kite, and when I finally had one, and an amazingly beautiful one at that, I was not ready to let go. A jeep sped towards me, as my hand trembled. “You, jackass,” a soldier yield in a loudspeaker. “Let go of the kite.” And so I did…”
It’s not easy flying a kite for Palestinian children, isn’t?
Okay, about this book. It’s a quite interesting story. Set in West Banks, Palestine, told from two viewpoints, Max, a British reporter and Said, a Palestinian boy. Said is a shepherd boy who likes making a kite. But he doesn’t speak, leaving a curiosity to Max. One day, Max follows Said to his home and meets his family. Then Max realizes the reason Said doesn’t speak.
It’s a touching story, with good illustration. Trying to give a message that there’s a hope and peace for Palestine-Israel conflict. But… I think, it’s a bit ignores Israel’s occupation in Palestine. How Israel has oppressed Palestine for many years. How Israel did many crimes in Palestine. How Israel has murdered many Palestinian (men, women, children). It’s okay to say both sides, but it’s also important to be fair about Israel’s crimes.
I always pray that Palestine will be free and Palestinian children will also be free to flying kites.
Flying kite –maybe— is an ordinary activity for children in a country with normal condition, but not in Palestine. Read this paragraph, written by Ramzy Baroud about his childhood, that I quoted from:https://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/...
“… During the Uprising’s summers, there would be dozens of kites, all red, black, green and white wavering atop the Israeli military camp and temporary detention center. The soldiers would often fly into a rage, storm the camp, seeking their target: children with kites. We could determine the location of the raid when all the kites from a particular location would fall from the sky in unison.
“One afternoon, I sat upon the staircase of our home in the camp, a white cinderblock home, adorned with patriotic graffiti. It was safe to fly my kite as my father was in Israel, joining tens of thousands of Palestinians who negotiated a living wage under the harshest of circumstances. Out of nowhere, Israeli jeeps leapt into the open area, separating my house from the Martyrs Graveyard. Children ran in panic. Teargas grenades were lobbed in frenzy. Kites fell all around like wounded eagles. I too ran, in circles, without letting go of my kite.
“It was not bravery. Far from it. I was frightened beyond comprehension. But it took me months to finally have a kite, and when I finally had one, and an amazingly beautiful one at that, I was not ready to let go. A jeep sped towards me, as my hand trembled. “You, jackass,” a soldier yield in a loudspeaker. “Let go of the kite.” And so I did…”
It’s not easy flying a kite for Palestinian children, isn’t?
Okay, about this book. It’s a quite interesting story. Set in West Banks, Palestine, told from two viewpoints, Max, a British reporter and Said, a Palestinian boy. Said is a shepherd boy who likes making a kite. But he doesn’t speak, leaving a curiosity to Max. One day, Max follows Said to his home and meets his family. Then Max realizes the reason Said doesn’t speak.
It’s a touching story, with good illustration. Trying to give a message that there’s a hope and peace for Palestine-Israel conflict. But… I think, it’s a bit ignores Israel’s occupation in Palestine. How Israel has oppressed Palestine for many years. How Israel did many crimes in Palestine. How Israel has murdered many Palestinian (men, women, children). It’s okay to say both sides, but it’s also important to be fair about Israel’s crimes.
I always pray that Palestine will be free and Palestinian children will also be free to flying kites.
September 17, 2016
This book, while well-intentioned, trivializes the war crimes, genocide, and intentioned murder that the apartheid Israeli colonist has been committing on the Palestinians ever since they siezed the country of Palestine and the lands from them. It's all well to say both sides should just be nicer to each other, while simultaneously ignoring the atrocities done by the occupiers and painting them as peaceful people that merely live on the other side of a wall. Settlements are by their very nature illegal, and an infringement of universal laws.
I picked up this book hoping it would be a fair depiction, but I was sadly disappointed. Not recommended.
I picked up this book hoping it would be a fair depiction, but I was sadly disappointed. Not recommended.
June 17, 2025
wow this is incredible! i'm extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to read this book! please please please read it... so much light and awareness can be brought from this book
December 29, 2025
Чудесна история за тежкия път към мира и разбирателството през очите на децата.
June 29, 2015
This story is told in two view points – one a journalist called Max and one an 8 yr old shepherd boy.
The journalist is filling in a diary about his travels and what he is doing each day. He writes of seeing a shepherd boy alone on a hill with his sheep and how he doesn’t speak. He is making a kite. He is fascinated with the journalist’s new video camera so he shows the boy how to use it and the boy videos his sheep and surroundings.
When the boy is leaving with his sheep, the journalist follows. He tries to keep up but sprains his ankle. The boy silently returns to help him down the rocky hillside and takes him to his home in the West Bank.
Even in his home the boy does not speak – but the head of the family explains that Said saw his older brother Mahmoud shot by soldiers and hasn’t spoken since.
Said makes a kite and writes the word Peace on it and lets it go when the wind is blowing in the right direction to blow the kite across the wall. Then he begins a new kite. These kites are in the name of Mahmoud and Said's dream of Peace.
Wonderful!
The journalist is filling in a diary about his travels and what he is doing each day. He writes of seeing a shepherd boy alone on a hill with his sheep and how he doesn’t speak. He is making a kite. He is fascinated with the journalist’s new video camera so he shows the boy how to use it and the boy videos his sheep and surroundings.
When the boy is leaving with his sheep, the journalist follows. He tries to keep up but sprains his ankle. The boy silently returns to help him down the rocky hillside and takes him to his home in the West Bank.
Even in his home the boy does not speak – but the head of the family explains that Said saw his older brother Mahmoud shot by soldiers and hasn’t spoken since.
Said makes a kite and writes the word Peace on it and lets it go when the wind is blowing in the right direction to blow the kite across the wall. Then he begins a new kite. These kites are in the name of Mahmoud and Said's dream of Peace.
Wonderful!
November 16, 2018
Such a beautiful short read. Beginning with many unknown stories from when a film reporter visits a small village with lots of controversy. It has two narratives, the boy and the reporter that help us to get an emotional understanding of what has happened. Themes of conflict, family, love and dreams. A very emotional ending. The illustrations are beautiful, using colour, tone and line to add quality and emotion to the story. Loved it.
November 8, 2020
"Every time I fly a kite, little brother, I'm thinking it's me up there, and that I'm far away from all this down here, far away from the soldiers and the checkpoints and the tanks. Up there I'm out of it. I go wherever the wind takes me, and no one can stop me. No soldiers, no checkpoints, no tanks."
An inspiring short story written from the viewpoint of a young boy and a reporter. The story presents themes such as diversity, tragedy, hope and friendship. A true eyeopener to the realities of conflict, with focus on the experience of children. A must read!
An inspiring short story written from the viewpoint of a young boy and a reporter. The story presents themes such as diversity, tragedy, hope and friendship. A true eyeopener to the realities of conflict, with focus on the experience of children. A must read!
October 23, 2019
I've only read one other work by Michael Morpurgo which is War Horse, and most certainly I like this book much better than War Horse. It beautifully captured the sadness and hope, the longing for peace.
"It was laughter that would one day resonate so loud that this wall, like all the others, would come tumbling down. No trumpets needed, as they had been once in Jericho, only the laughter of children."
Terima kasih pinjamannya Ula!
"It was laughter that would one day resonate so loud that this wall, like all the others, would come tumbling down. No trumpets needed, as they had been once in Jericho, only the laughter of children."
Terima kasih pinjamannya Ula!
September 10, 2018
A moving story about the children of West Bank, their dreams and hopes for peace. Beautifully written and illustrated.
July 26, 2019
I know this is children book and the ending would fit just fine with the children but my jaded adult mind just screamed in Indonesian, "tidak semudah itu, Fergusso!". Or thing is not this simple.
I have been watching and reading about this conflict since I could read and like there is absolutely no good thing I read or I heard.
I am too sad to write more about this book. I wish Indonesian publisher took this one. If they had the balls of course. We are too opiniated about this conflict and the only prominent person who dared to take different approach was dead and his approach as president, as simple as that, was condemned.
PS: and there is illustration of he kid and his sheeps vs soldier, looks like "David and Goliath" hmm?
I have been watching and reading about this conflict since I could read and like there is absolutely no good thing I read or I heard.
I am too sad to write more about this book. I wish Indonesian publisher took this one. If they had the balls of course. We are too opiniated about this conflict and the only prominent person who dared to take different approach was dead and his approach as president, as simple as that, was condemned.
PS: and there is illustration of he kid and his sheeps vs soldier, looks like "David and Goliath" hmm?
January 4, 2025
A touching short short story
September 24, 2015
The kites are flying is an intriguing yet sad story, the story follows a western reporter on the West Bank, who befriends a young boy called Said, Said is a Palestinian chid who has faced great loss in his life due to the occupation. The story centres on him talking to his brother who has died. They are both so different and initially Said does not speak due to the trauma he has faced of losing his brother. They quickly develop into friends. The ending is surprising as Said does begin to speak, with his speech also we get the message of hope, the hope that all children on the West Bank have of wanting this conflict to be over and to live peacefully.
The imagery in the book is simple yet effective, the sombre imagery reflects the tone of the story, yet the kites which represent innocence, childhood and hope are more vibrant. The imagery is not too busy, this means that it does not distract from the serious issue of the story. Which is introducing children to firstly a darker world of difference and war, a childhood for some children which is not as idyllic as their own. But leaves them with the beautiful ending of hope.
The cross curricular links with this story are endless. It can be used in a design and technology lesson to create kites, in geography children could explore the regions which have been affected by the conflict. Superb artwork can be created through using thoughts and emotions, dark colours representing war and bright colours representing hope. Religious education can explore the religions that are involved in the conflict, and how they have been impacted. Finally the story could be used in an English setting for children to create a diary entry.
I definitely recommend this book for children in upper phase key stage 2, and lower phase of key stage 2. I feel the issues may be overwhelming and distressing for younger children. I particularly recommend this book for adults who are not Michael Morpurgo fans as it is completely different to his usual style of writing.
The imagery in the book is simple yet effective, the sombre imagery reflects the tone of the story, yet the kites which represent innocence, childhood and hope are more vibrant. The imagery is not too busy, this means that it does not distract from the serious issue of the story. Which is introducing children to firstly a darker world of difference and war, a childhood for some children which is not as idyllic as their own. But leaves them with the beautiful ending of hope.
The cross curricular links with this story are endless. It can be used in a design and technology lesson to create kites, in geography children could explore the regions which have been affected by the conflict. Superb artwork can be created through using thoughts and emotions, dark colours representing war and bright colours representing hope. Religious education can explore the religions that are involved in the conflict, and how they have been impacted. Finally the story could be used in an English setting for children to create a diary entry.
I definitely recommend this book for children in upper phase key stage 2, and lower phase of key stage 2. I feel the issues may be overwhelming and distressing for younger children. I particularly recommend this book for adults who are not Michael Morpurgo fans as it is completely different to his usual style of writing.
February 20, 2016
Morpurgo presents a very political issue in the most subtle manner, but unravels the reality of the conflict as the book progresses, broken up by abstract illustrations. The story is based within the Israel and Palestine conflict on West bank in a village outside a settlement. This is the first book I have ever read from Morpurgo and am pleasantly surprised. From the front cover I instantly thought of an adventure story, but this was not the case and I could not put it down.
The conflict is shown from two perspectives. The first from a boy named Said, an elective mute who shares his experiences and thoughts to his brother. The second protagonist is Max a journalist who reflects in a daily journal. Said writes to his brother every night, his tone is one where he seeks comfort, answers and is desperately trying to live a normal life. Said’s character epitomises the traits of a resilient child; hope, perseverance and forgiveness. Despite his silence, he displays his feelings through flying kites into the neighbouring settlement in the hope to develop friendship with a girl on the other side. The kite can be seen as a metaphor for freedom and hope of both sides living at peace. He makes a connection to in his camera, despite not being able to speak he aides Max in his mission to document the lives of people living in the conflict. Without spoiling the ending, the story ends on the idea of hope being present even at the darkest of times.
There are many messages and themes to be discovered throughout the story. For children nine onwards this is a great book to gather awareness of issues they may begin to understand as part of becoming a citizen in particular human rights. The descriptions and writing styles adopted cause a sense of empathy for the characters, and imagine the setting. This story can be used as an example to recognise different genres and styles of writing which is part of the literacy National Curriculum.
The conflict is shown from two perspectives. The first from a boy named Said, an elective mute who shares his experiences and thoughts to his brother. The second protagonist is Max a journalist who reflects in a daily journal. Said writes to his brother every night, his tone is one where he seeks comfort, answers and is desperately trying to live a normal life. Said’s character epitomises the traits of a resilient child; hope, perseverance and forgiveness. Despite his silence, he displays his feelings through flying kites into the neighbouring settlement in the hope to develop friendship with a girl on the other side. The kite can be seen as a metaphor for freedom and hope of both sides living at peace. He makes a connection to in his camera, despite not being able to speak he aides Max in his mission to document the lives of people living in the conflict. Without spoiling the ending, the story ends on the idea of hope being present even at the darkest of times.
There are many messages and themes to be discovered throughout the story. For children nine onwards this is a great book to gather awareness of issues they may begin to understand as part of becoming a citizen in particular human rights. The descriptions and writing styles adopted cause a sense of empathy for the characters, and imagine the setting. This story can be used as an example to recognise different genres and styles of writing which is part of the literacy National Curriculum.
September 5, 2011
Another engaging book by Morpurgo.
A televison reporter sets out to create a story about life on both sides of the dividing wall in the West Bank. He encounters a shepherd boy, Said, who is making a kite. He comes to realise that Said does not speak at all, but suspects that there must be a story in this encounter, so he persists in trying to engage Said. Said writes a message on his kite and appears to surrender it to the wind. A wheelchair-bound girl on the other side of the wall picks it up when it lands at her feet. Said and the girl seem to have some sort of unspoken relationship. As a result of having suffered an injury while trying to win Said's trust, the reporter gets to find out why the boy does not speak. Then, on the morning of the journalist's departure to observe life on the other side of the wall, the sky is adorned with kites - each carrying a message. They were not from Said.
This story is presented in the form of diary entries by the journalist and Said respectively. It is full of reflection, and a host of emotions - pain, sadness, grief, anger and mistrust. The overriding theme is, however, one of dreams and hope - children's hope for peace. A very touching account that had me feeling I was there observing/experiencing every event. A must read.
A televison reporter sets out to create a story about life on both sides of the dividing wall in the West Bank. He encounters a shepherd boy, Said, who is making a kite. He comes to realise that Said does not speak at all, but suspects that there must be a story in this encounter, so he persists in trying to engage Said. Said writes a message on his kite and appears to surrender it to the wind. A wheelchair-bound girl on the other side of the wall picks it up when it lands at her feet. Said and the girl seem to have some sort of unspoken relationship. As a result of having suffered an injury while trying to win Said's trust, the reporter gets to find out why the boy does not speak. Then, on the morning of the journalist's departure to observe life on the other side of the wall, the sky is adorned with kites - each carrying a message. They were not from Said.
This story is presented in the form of diary entries by the journalist and Said respectively. It is full of reflection, and a host of emotions - pain, sadness, grief, anger and mistrust. The overriding theme is, however, one of dreams and hope - children's hope for peace. A very touching account that had me feeling I was there observing/experiencing every event. A must read.
July 24, 2017
This is the first book by Michael Morpurgo that I've read. I bought it in a Book Sale for a really cheap price, but the content inside is far from cheap.
This is a story of an English Reporter named Max who goes to Palestine to film what the life is like on both sides of the wall that divided the Palestinians and the Israeli. He meets an 8-year-old boy named Said who loves to make kites and fly them. Max soon realizes that there are simply some things that cannot be expressed by words and must be captured in films instead.
This is a story of an English Reporter named Max who goes to Palestine to film what the life is like on both sides of the wall that divided the Palestinians and the Israeli. He meets an 8-year-old boy named Said who loves to make kites and fly them. Max soon realizes that there are simply some things that cannot be expressed by words and must be captured in films instead.
January 16, 2010
I was looking forward to reading this story after reading War Horse and Private Peaceful which I thought were both wonderful. I know The kites Are Flying was aimed at a younger audience, but I felt this book didn't hit the mark with enough impact and imagination. The illustrations were nice and I was left feeling there was a great opportunity missed to say something really important and leave you with a real sense of hope and urgency for a change in this desperate situation in Palestine. The story had some nice moments with good intentions, but for me it lacked that special something, which his other books had. To finish I will say any book that looks for hope in this subject matter will always be a good idea.
January 10, 2016
"Every time I fly a kite little brother, I'm thinking it's me up there, and that I'm far away from all this down here, far away from the soldiers and the checkpoints and the tanks. Up there I'm out of it. I go wherever the wind takes me, and no one can stop me. No soldiers, no checkpoints, no tanks"
September 22, 2017
'
I judge a book by its cover
',
adalah sebuah aklamasi yang tertera di bagian bio laman Goodreads milik saya. Kalimat tersebut sudah menjadi semacam belief bagi saya dalam memilih buku, karena di dalam buku bersampul indah, most likely, alur ceritanya akan indah juga.
Ya memang tidak bisa digeneralisasikan ke semua buku sih, tapi belief itulah yang saya yakini dan amalkan saat melihat sampul buku The Kites are Flying! ini.
Pertama lihat buku ini di pameran buku Big Bad Wolf Books di BSD pada Mei 2016. Tanpa pikir panjang, saya langsung comot tanpa meninjau lebih lanjut ceritanya tentang apa. Padahal sinopsis ceritanya ada di balik sampul dan bukunya nggak disegel plastik, so it was supposed to be easy for me to check it, if I want to. Tapi ya itu tadi, sampulnya sudah menarik. Saya buka-buka sedikit halamannya, ilustrasinya pun menarik. Messy messy tapi artsy gitu, me likeeeyyy hahaha.
Singkat cerita, sampai awal bulan September 2017, buku itu (+ beberapa buku hasil borongan di BBW 2016 lainnya + hasil borongan BBW 2017) tidak tersentuh. Ngendon aja di kardus. Saya memang lagi malas baca akhir-akhir ini. Ready Player One dan Station Eleven yang sudah jelas dinilai bagus aja cuma sanggup saya baca 20-an halaman lalu saya tinggal.
Tapi awal September 2017 itu, saya lagi pengen baca buku.
Saya lagi bosan sama layar.
Tapi, saya lagi malas baca. Hahaha kontradiktif.
Saya putuskan untuk bongkar kardus berisi buku-buku borongan BBW dan berniat mencari buku yang jelas menarik tapi ringan.
Daaaan keputusan jatuh pada dua buku:
The Kites are Flying!
serta
Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Ketika itu saya lagi berencana pergi ke suatu tempat di dalam kota, tapi karena akhir minggu sudah jelas jalanan akan macet. Maka saya putuskan ambil The Kites are Flying! untuk dibaca di jalan tanpa ribet, karena ukurannya jelas lebih praktis dan tipis dibanding Dr. Seuss'.
Singkat cerita, baca deh tuh di jalan.
KESAN PERTAMA
Ampun..... bosan.
Saya nggak menyangka bahwa ceritanya adalah seputar kehidupan anak-anak di West Bank, Jerusalem, yang menjadi 'korban' konflik Palestina-Israel. I am surely not into this issue, bukan karena nggak peduli tapi karena nggak ngerti. Dan kesannya ribet aja lah, lha wong di awal saya niatnya mau cari buku yang ringan dan menarik.....
Akhirnya buku tersebut saya tutup di halaman 25.
Pupus sudah harapan untuk nggak pegang gadget selama di perjalanan. Saya pun kembali ketak-ketuk layar, kembali scroll, scroll, scroll.....
See further: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
KESAN KEDUA
Besoknya, saya bener-bener nganggur nggak ngapa-ngapain di rumah. Dan kembali saya tekankan, saya lagi bosan sama layar. Pengen rasanya melakukan sesuatu yang bisa menyegarkan pikiran tanpa kontribusi layar.
Kemudian mata saya tertambat kembali ke buku di atas meja belajar, buku yang kemarin saya campakkan di perjalanan.... hahaha. Kesannya dramatis banget ya, kemarin dicampakkan terus ternyata saya dekati lagi bukunya di hari itu. Tapi beneran, kronologis emosinya memang begitu.
Jujur, di titik ini saya agak memaksakan diri untuk lanjutin baca.
Perlahan tapi pasti, saya mulai mengerti inti dari buku ini. Plot cerita disampaikan dari POV dua tokoh sentral yang, di dunia nyata, dinilai sangat berseberangan baik dari segi usia maupun kepentingan. Sangat kecil kemungkinannya untuk (orang-orang seperti) mereka bersinggungan dan bahkan terikat secara emosional. Ada pula beberapa tokoh sampingan yang keberadaannya sangat berperan dalam membangun cerita. Saya mulai merasa tokoh-tokoh ini merasuki pikiran saya.
Dan.... di halaman 43, saya resmi tertarik dengan alur cerita buku ini.
(Intinya, kayaknya, jiwa saya emang agak dramatis jadi nunggu nyampe ke titik konflik dulu baru bener-bener tertarik sama cerita suatu buku :p)
Kemudian di halaman 53, saya mulai nggak mau berhenti baca.
Tapi saat itu saya ada kerjaan lain, jadi bukunya kembali diletakkan di atas meja belajar. Kali ini diletakkan dengan lembut karena sudah terasa akrab, nggak dicampakkan lagi kayak sebelumnya.
See further: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
KESAN KETIGA
Selanjutnya, tiga hari berikutnya saya melanjutkan baca tapi terpenggal-penggal.
Saya sampai pada titik di mana saya merasa bahwa buku ini sangat indah. Plot cerita, penggambaran tokoh melalui penuturan dua tokoh sentral, serta nilai moral atau insight yang terbersit saling membahu membentuk keindahan buku.
Akhirnya, saya bisa kembali meyakini dan lantang mendeklarasikan, I do judge a book by its cover . Untuk sekali lagi, terbukti bahwa sampul yang indah adalah indikasi dari cerita yang indah pula.
Di beberapa halaman saya hampir menitikkan air mata, dan di halaman 75, sudah tidak hampir lagi.... air mata saya jatuh. Saya jatuh kasih.
Rasa kasih ini jatuh kepada ikatan emosional antara Said dan Mister Max, kepada ketekunan Uncle Yasser, kepada keyakinan yang ditularkan oleh Mahmoud kepada Said..... kepada seluruh anak-anak yang harus merasakan pedihnya konflik Palestina-Israel. Saya bahkan dapat merasakan diri saya berterima kasih kepada The Girl in the Blue Headscarf atas pendiriannya yang teguh akan mimpi-mimpi Said dan Mahmoud, serta tindakannya yang saya nilai sangat berani.
Sejak pertengahan hingga akhir buku, saya merasa bahwa tokoh-tokoh di dalam buku ini seperti nyata. Seperti benar-benar ada dalam realita.
See further: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
Overall, saya merekomendasikan buku The Kites are Flying! ini kepada teman-teman yang sedang mencari bahan bacaan yang ringan, menarik, menyentuh, dan (mungkin) sedang ingin tercerahkan.
Walaupun ini bukan buku terbaik yang saya baca, dan tidak membekas sampai berlarut-larut, tetapi kisah selama saya menemukan dan membaca buku ini is indeed memorable :)
adalah sebuah aklamasi yang tertera di bagian bio laman Goodreads milik saya. Kalimat tersebut sudah menjadi semacam belief bagi saya dalam memilih buku, karena di dalam buku bersampul indah, most likely, alur ceritanya akan indah juga.
Ya memang tidak bisa digeneralisasikan ke semua buku sih, tapi belief itulah yang saya yakini dan amalkan saat melihat sampul buku The Kites are Flying! ini.
Pertama lihat buku ini di pameran buku Big Bad Wolf Books di BSD pada Mei 2016. Tanpa pikir panjang, saya langsung comot tanpa meninjau lebih lanjut ceritanya tentang apa. Padahal sinopsis ceritanya ada di balik sampul dan bukunya nggak disegel plastik, so it was supposed to be easy for me to check it, if I want to. Tapi ya itu tadi, sampulnya sudah menarik. Saya buka-buka sedikit halamannya, ilustrasinya pun menarik. Messy messy tapi artsy gitu, me likeeeyyy hahaha.
Singkat cerita, sampai awal bulan September 2017, buku itu (+ beberapa buku hasil borongan di BBW 2016 lainnya + hasil borongan BBW 2017) tidak tersentuh. Ngendon aja di kardus. Saya memang lagi malas baca akhir-akhir ini. Ready Player One dan Station Eleven yang sudah jelas dinilai bagus aja cuma sanggup saya baca 20-an halaman lalu saya tinggal.
Tapi awal September 2017 itu, saya lagi pengen baca buku.
Saya lagi bosan sama layar.
Tapi, saya lagi malas baca. Hahaha kontradiktif.
Saya putuskan untuk bongkar kardus berisi buku-buku borongan BBW dan berniat mencari buku yang jelas menarik tapi ringan.
Daaaan keputusan jatuh pada dua buku:
The Kites are Flying!
serta
Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Ketika itu saya lagi berencana pergi ke suatu tempat di dalam kota, tapi karena akhir minggu sudah jelas jalanan akan macet. Maka saya putuskan ambil The Kites are Flying! untuk dibaca di jalan tanpa ribet, karena ukurannya jelas lebih praktis dan tipis dibanding Dr. Seuss'.
Singkat cerita, baca deh tuh di jalan.
KESAN PERTAMA
Ampun..... bosan.
Saya nggak menyangka bahwa ceritanya adalah seputar kehidupan anak-anak di West Bank, Jerusalem, yang menjadi 'korban' konflik Palestina-Israel. I am surely not into this issue, bukan karena nggak peduli tapi karena nggak ngerti. Dan kesannya ribet aja lah, lha wong di awal saya niatnya mau cari buku yang ringan dan menarik.....
Akhirnya buku tersebut saya tutup di halaman 25.
Pupus sudah harapan untuk nggak pegang gadget selama di perjalanan. Saya pun kembali ketak-ketuk layar, kembali scroll, scroll, scroll.....
See further: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
KESAN KEDUA
Besoknya, saya bener-bener nganggur nggak ngapa-ngapain di rumah. Dan kembali saya tekankan, saya lagi bosan sama layar. Pengen rasanya melakukan sesuatu yang bisa menyegarkan pikiran tanpa kontribusi layar.
Kemudian mata saya tertambat kembali ke buku di atas meja belajar, buku yang kemarin saya campakkan di perjalanan.... hahaha. Kesannya dramatis banget ya, kemarin dicampakkan terus ternyata saya dekati lagi bukunya di hari itu. Tapi beneran, kronologis emosinya memang begitu.
Jujur, di titik ini saya agak memaksakan diri untuk lanjutin baca.
Perlahan tapi pasti, saya mulai mengerti inti dari buku ini. Plot cerita disampaikan dari POV dua tokoh sentral yang, di dunia nyata, dinilai sangat berseberangan baik dari segi usia maupun kepentingan. Sangat kecil kemungkinannya untuk (orang-orang seperti) mereka bersinggungan dan bahkan terikat secara emosional. Ada pula beberapa tokoh sampingan yang keberadaannya sangat berperan dalam membangun cerita. Saya mulai merasa tokoh-tokoh ini merasuki pikiran saya.
Dan.... di halaman 43, saya resmi tertarik dengan alur cerita buku ini.
(Intinya, kayaknya, jiwa saya emang agak dramatis jadi nunggu nyampe ke titik konflik dulu baru bener-bener tertarik sama cerita suatu buku :p)
Kemudian di halaman 53, saya mulai nggak mau berhenti baca.
Tapi saat itu saya ada kerjaan lain, jadi bukunya kembali diletakkan di atas meja belajar. Kali ini diletakkan dengan lembut karena sudah terasa akrab, nggak dicampakkan lagi kayak sebelumnya.
See further: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
KESAN KETIGA
Selanjutnya, tiga hari berikutnya saya melanjutkan baca tapi terpenggal-penggal.
Saya sampai pada titik di mana saya merasa bahwa buku ini sangat indah. Plot cerita, penggambaran tokoh melalui penuturan dua tokoh sentral, serta nilai moral atau insight yang terbersit saling membahu membentuk keindahan buku.
Akhirnya, saya bisa kembali meyakini dan lantang mendeklarasikan, I do judge a book by its cover . Untuk sekali lagi, terbukti bahwa sampul yang indah adalah indikasi dari cerita yang indah pula.
Di beberapa halaman saya hampir menitikkan air mata, dan di halaman 75, sudah tidak hampir lagi.... air mata saya jatuh. Saya jatuh kasih.
Rasa kasih ini jatuh kepada ikatan emosional antara Said dan Mister Max, kepada ketekunan Uncle Yasser, kepada keyakinan yang ditularkan oleh Mahmoud kepada Said..... kepada seluruh anak-anak yang harus merasakan pedihnya konflik Palestina-Israel. Saya bahkan dapat merasakan diri saya berterima kasih kepada The Girl in the Blue Headscarf atas pendiriannya yang teguh akan mimpi-mimpi Said dan Mahmoud, serta tindakannya yang saya nilai sangat berani.
Sejak pertengahan hingga akhir buku, saya merasa bahwa tokoh-tokoh di dalam buku ini seperti nyata. Seperti benar-benar ada dalam realita.
See further: https://www.goodreads.com/user_status...
Overall, saya merekomendasikan buku The Kites are Flying! ini kepada teman-teman yang sedang mencari bahan bacaan yang ringan, menarik, menyentuh, dan (mungkin) sedang ingin tercerahkan.
Walaupun ini bukan buku terbaik yang saya baca, dan tidak membekas sampai berlarut-larut, tetapi kisah selama saya menemukan dan membaca buku ini is indeed memorable :)
July 16, 2015
A very quick read but not up to Michael Morpurgo normal standard but none the less a four. (three and a half) an interesting book abutted lifetime of a little boy growing up in the conflicts in Palestine.
Read
April 25, 2016A sweet and rather poignant book about the wall dividing Israel and Palestine. Very sad, but also hopeful. A good book for children I think, despite the seriousness of the content.
September 25, 2017
Very powerful. The shortness means reading in one sitting is a must to get the full effect of the ending.
June 22, 2021
Know this is written well and was a satisfying read, but if it were not aimed at children, it would have been a 2 or 3 star for the lack of truth about the brutality and severeness of Israel’s occupation in Palestine.
In understanding this was aimed at children, it was a good read. I feel the intentions were good which I find the following quotes show.
“For Said, his kites are kites of peace. You know what I think? I think, let Said have his dreams. Its all he has. He’ll find out soon enough what they’re like over there.” -Said is a Palestinian child. All Said wants is peace and a chance to live life happy and free, but the character speaking in this moment has lived through it too long to believe life any other way.
-SPOILER IN QUOTE-CAN SKIP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH-“I have seen this girl. We all have. She’s alive, isn’t she? It is Mahmoud that is dead, is it not? Tell me, what does it cost to wave? They cannot wave away what they did. She is an occupier, isn’t she? They are all occupiers. All occupiers are the same.” -Morpurgo tries to use the character speaking in this moment, living in Palestine, to inform the reader about the children in Palestine who are dying every day.
This was worth the read and kept my attention. It is short so I managed to read it all in one sitting which I think helped with the impact of the story rather than stopping and starting. If you are a young adult or adult, I would recommend this as a quick read however if you are reading it for the sole purpose of educating yourself on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, I would recommend finding other books. Children may find this to be a good read with simple language and wonderful illustrations.
In understanding this was aimed at children, it was a good read. I feel the intentions were good which I find the following quotes show.
“For Said, his kites are kites of peace. You know what I think? I think, let Said have his dreams. Its all he has. He’ll find out soon enough what they’re like over there.” -Said is a Palestinian child. All Said wants is peace and a chance to live life happy and free, but the character speaking in this moment has lived through it too long to believe life any other way.
-SPOILER IN QUOTE-CAN SKIP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH-“I have seen this girl. We all have. She’s alive, isn’t she? It is Mahmoud that is dead, is it not? Tell me, what does it cost to wave? They cannot wave away what they did. She is an occupier, isn’t she? They are all occupiers. All occupiers are the same.” -Morpurgo tries to use the character speaking in this moment, living in Palestine, to inform the reader about the children in Palestine who are dying every day.
This was worth the read and kept my attention. It is short so I managed to read it all in one sitting which I think helped with the impact of the story rather than stopping and starting. If you are a young adult or adult, I would recommend this as a quick read however if you are reading it for the sole purpose of educating yourself on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, I would recommend finding other books. Children may find this to be a good read with simple language and wonderful illustrations.
October 25, 2023
I recently attended a theatre event celebrating the 80th birthday of Michael Morpurgo. Clare Balding was asking him questions posed by the audience, and one of them was 'If you could be any character - human or animal - or object in one of your books, what would it be?'
He answered that he had written this book in 2009 about the conflict between Palestine and Israel. He explained that he had been to both places and described how, in his book, the children on both sides use kites to send messages to each other across the wall that divides them. Their messages are messages of peace. It didn't need to be said how relevant this book is now, 14 years later, when those two countries are at war again. His answer was quite moving, and long, and he didn't actually say which character or object he would like to be. Having ordered and read the book on the back of his answer, I guess it could be one of the main characters, the journalist who comes across the young, non-verbal boy who is making the kites. I wonder though whether he wasn't thinking he'd like to be one of the kites bearing its message of peace.
This is a lovely story, thoughtfully told, and the last few lines gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes - earning it four stars (which in my personal rating system is really high!)
He answered that he had written this book in 2009 about the conflict between Palestine and Israel. He explained that he had been to both places and described how, in his book, the children on both sides use kites to send messages to each other across the wall that divides them. Their messages are messages of peace. It didn't need to be said how relevant this book is now, 14 years later, when those two countries are at war again. His answer was quite moving, and long, and he didn't actually say which character or object he would like to be. Having ordered and read the book on the back of his answer, I guess it could be one of the main characters, the journalist who comes across the young, non-verbal boy who is making the kites. I wonder though whether he wasn't thinking he'd like to be one of the kites bearing its message of peace.
This is a lovely story, thoughtfully told, and the last few lines gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes - earning it four stars (which in my personal rating system is really high!)
November 2, 2018
I found this piously patronising. The narrative cuts off without the point of view character fulfilling his admirable intention of following up his visit to a Palestinian village with a visit to an Israeli settlement, and we get the impression this reflects the author's research process. The Palestinian characters are stereotypes which seem to be the fruit of spending a few days conversing with Palestinians in their second or third language; the Israeli characters are non-characters based on nothing at all. Even the identifying feature of the Israeli heroine, her blue headscarf, shouts ignorance, as headscarves are generally only worn by orthodox Jewish women after marriage. Even among the better researched characters, we are given no insight into internal Palestinian tensions.
The author's intention is clearly benevolent - he paints all characters as good (except, perhaps, for the Israeli soldiers, but they're off-stage and in uniform so never mind them) - but the result is insulting; he misses the dignity of both sides by projecting his own fantasy onto both.
I'd give him 2/10 for outcome, 4/10 for effort, 8/10 for intentions. Intentions are something I suppose, so I'll raise my star-rating from 1 to 2.
The author's intention is clearly benevolent - he paints all characters as good (except, perhaps, for the Israeli soldiers, but they're off-stage and in uniform so never mind them) - but the result is insulting; he misses the dignity of both sides by projecting his own fantasy onto both.
I'd give him 2/10 for outcome, 4/10 for effort, 8/10 for intentions. Intentions are something I suppose, so I'll raise my star-rating from 1 to 2.
July 16, 2019
I was attracted to this book purely on the strength of Carlin's illustrations, which I admire. Often ambiguous, she plays about with space and form to create some beautiful, naive images. (In many ways, her work reminds me a lot of the Cornish painter, Alfred Wallis.) Carlin's illustrations add further poignancy to the tale (for example, her painting of a tall patchworked wall, topped with barbed wire - a donkey on either side).
The book puts human faces to the ongoing Israeli - Palestinian conflict. The narration is passed alternately from chapter to chapter - between an Palestinianboy (unable to speak from trauma) who addresses his brother; and a Western journalist, on assignment, sending emails home. This smart device works well - it would be evident to a younger reader that these are two different characters speaking. This allows the author to interpret a scene from different viewpoints (for example, when the boy takes the journalist home to meet his family). This serves to support the notion that there are always multiple viewpoints to any scenario.
Thought-provoking and uplifting, the message of 'Kites!' is hopeful: peace will triumph. A reminder that the future lies in the hands of our children and their discovery that 'Friendship knows no boundaries.'
'I can hear you telling me, … 'A kite will fly when it's ready to fly, in its own good time. It's like a living thing. It's not just paper and wood and string.' I want to fly it tomorrow, Mahmoud. It's important. I want to show Mister Max how beautiful it is. I want the wind to be right. I want the girl in the blue headscarf to be there too. I won't fly it unless she's there. I never do. And I won't forget to wave to her for you, I promise.'
Www.timwarnes.com
The book puts human faces to the ongoing Israeli - Palestinian conflict. The narration is passed alternately from chapter to chapter - between an Palestinianboy (unable to speak from trauma) who addresses his brother; and a Western journalist, on assignment, sending emails home. This smart device works well - it would be evident to a younger reader that these are two different characters speaking. This allows the author to interpret a scene from different viewpoints (for example, when the boy takes the journalist home to meet his family). This serves to support the notion that there are always multiple viewpoints to any scenario.
Thought-provoking and uplifting, the message of 'Kites!' is hopeful: peace will triumph. A reminder that the future lies in the hands of our children and their discovery that 'Friendship knows no boundaries.'
'I can hear you telling me, … 'A kite will fly when it's ready to fly, in its own good time. It's like a living thing. It's not just paper and wood and string.' I want to fly it tomorrow, Mahmoud. It's important. I want to show Mister Max how beautiful it is. I want the wind to be right. I want the girl in the blue headscarf to be there too. I won't fly it unless she's there. I never do. And I won't forget to wave to her for you, I promise.'
Www.timwarnes.com
May 4, 2017
A short and sweet story about the Palestine-Israel conflict through the eyes of a Palestinian boy and a British reporter. It's definitely started out as something rather dark, but not too grotesque, which makes it still suitable for children. The narrative is packed with words, so it's still an interesting book to read for young adult (or even adults). The illustrations are less a representation of the scenes, but rather used as an emotional symbolism—to impress the readers with certain emotions. It's a very quick read, especially for adults, and rather light—in spite of a tragedy that looms at the background of the story. To be honest, I wish Mr. Morpurgo would include a story from the point of view of the girl with blue headscarf. But, you know, maybe this was loosely based on a true story and the perspective of the girl has not been explored in the actual story. That being said, I would recommend this book for your children.
February 25, 2018
A film director, Max, has a flight going to Jerusalem. Starting his day with regret, having a bad day, traffic, delayed flight, and a seatmate that's terrified at a turbulence. While in Jerusalem, Said, a traumatized kid after his brother died in front of his eyes, is talking to his dead brother everynight while lying in bed. Said is sitting under his favorite tree when Max saw him after he got out of the bus that he came with. And that's where a friendship starts between two different people with different beliefs in life. Learning each others story while Max's filming some of the scenes that he think is great to what he is creating.
This book talks about the historical conflict between the Arabs and Jews about a part of a land that lies between the river Jordan and the Mediterranian Sea, that often sends shockwaves around the world. And on how a single bullet change a life of a person, and on how a single action change a persons perspective about the other party.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2020
When journalist Max arrives at Jerusalem airport intending to report on the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians on both sides of the wall dividing the West Bank, he perhaps does not expect to find a friend. Said, a mute boy, welcomes Max into his family's home and here, Max starts to unravel the family's tragic past - and the reason why Said does not speak.
Said's kites, which he flies over the wall, are symbolic of peace and hope, although he is unaware that others share his dream until his new friend, Max, shows him his video camera.
This heartbreaking book reveals how children's hopes and dreams can overcome the boundaries of any wall. Due to some tragic topics, I would recommend this book for children age 9 and over (perhaps with a teacher or parent too).
Said's kites, which he flies over the wall, are symbolic of peace and hope, although he is unaware that others share his dream until his new friend, Max, shows him his video camera.
This heartbreaking book reveals how children's hopes and dreams can overcome the boundaries of any wall. Due to some tragic topics, I would recommend this book for children age 9 and over (perhaps with a teacher or parent too).
November 23, 2023
The writer tries to present the idea that the Palestinians and Zionists Israeli settlers are two sides that fight over a piece of land each claiming to be their own. The writer claims that peace can be seen and achieved some time in the future.
Claiming that a Palestinian kid, whose father is imprisoned by the Israeli occupation and whose brother has been martyred a couple of years ago, still sees some light for peace.
This drove me crazy.
Not recommended, at least for the people who know whose side is the right side and that we Palestinians are not fighting with Israelis over a piece of land. This is our land.. Israel is the occupier for decades and we are the occupied and there is no way for peace between us, not now and not in the future.
Claiming that a Palestinian kid, whose father is imprisoned by the Israeli occupation and whose brother has been martyred a couple of years ago, still sees some light for peace.
This drove me crazy.
Not recommended, at least for the people who know whose side is the right side and that we Palestinians are not fighting with Israelis over a piece of land. This is our land.. Israel is the occupier for decades and we are the occupied and there is no way for peace between us, not now and not in the future.
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