THE YEAR I FLEW AWAY

Author and narrator Marie Arnold shines in this enchanting audiobook based on her childhood. Young Gabrielle moves from Haiti to Brooklyn to live with her aunt and uncle. Gabrielle feels like she struggles to fit in, even as she makes friends with Mexican American Carmen and Rocky, a talking rat. So when a witch offers to make Gabrielle into what the 10-year-old thinks is the "perfect American girl," she jumps at the chance--but forgets that everything comes at a cost. Fast-paced, passionate, and spellbinding, both the writing and narration of this story are magical. Arnold's sparkling performance, including her authentic-sounding Haitian accent, takes listeners through vivid scenes and sensory descriptions. This heartfelt story is timeless and full of teachable moments about empathy, honesty, and social and racial equality. E.P. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2021]