Praise for THE RED PENCIL 
“Amira’s thoughts and drawings are vividly brought to life through Pinkney’s lyrical verse and Evans’s lucid line illustrations, which infuse the narrative with emotional intensity.… An essential purchase.”
—School Library Journal (starred review)
“Pinkney uses deft strokes to create engaging characters through the poetry of their observations and the poignancy of their circumstances.… A soulful story that captures the magic of possibility, even in difficult times.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Pinkney faces war’s horrors head on, yet also conveys a sense of hope and promise.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[If] the evocative poetry is the novel’s beating heart, Evans’ spare, open, graceful line drawings are its breath.… Ultimately, this is an inspirational story of the harrowing adversity countless children face, the resilience with which they meet it, and the inestimable power of imagination and learning to carry them through.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“This book whispers into the reader’s heart.”
—KAREN HESSE,
Newbery Medal–winning author of Out of the Dust
“The perfect marriage of lyrical text and evocative drawings, The Red Pencil demonstrates the transformative power of artistic expression—even in the worst of times. Haunting, eye-opening, and deeply inspiring.”
—PATRICIA McCORMICK,
National Book Award finalist for Never Fall Down and Sold
A New York Times Editors’ Choice
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A New York Times Notable Book
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
A Children’s Africana Book Award Winner
An NAACP Image Award Nominee
A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Multicultural Book
A Kids’ Indie Next List Pick