This accessible exquisite novel shines with gentle humor and explores themes of moving family nature and immigration It tells the story of Aref Al-Amri who must say good-bye to everything and everyone he loves in his hometown of Muscat Oman as his family prepares to move to Ann Arbor Michigan This is acclaimed poet and National Book Award Finalist Naomi Shihab Nyes first novel set in the Middle East since her acclaimed HabibiAref Al-Amri does not want to leave Oman He does not want to leave his elementary school his friends or his beloved grandfather Siddi He does not want to live in Ann Arbor Michigan where his parents will go to graduate school His mother is desperate for him to pack his suitcase but he refuses Finally she calls Siddi for help But rather than pack Aref and Siddi go on a series of adventures They visit the camp of a thousand stars deep in the desert they sleep on Siddis roof they fish in the Gulf of Oman and dream about going to India and they travel to the nature reserve to watch the sea turtles At each stop Siddi finds a small stone that he later slips into Arefs suitcasemementos of homeNaomi Shihab Nyes warmth attention to detail and belief in the power of empathy and connection shines from every page Features black-and-white spot art and decorations by Betsy Peterschmidt.
