Book Review: “The Year I Flew Away” by Marie Arnold

“The Year I Flew Away” by Marie Arnold (2021)

Genre: Middle Grade, Fiction, Fantasy

Page Length: 256 (hardcover pages)

Synopsis:

It’s 1985 and ten-year-old Gabrielle is excited to be moving from Haiti to America. Unfortunately, her parents won’t be able to join her yet and she’ll be living in a place called Brooklyn, New York, with relatives she has never met. She promises her parents that she will behave, but life proves to be difficult in the United States, from learning the language to always feeling like she doesn’t fit in to being bullied. So when a witch offers her a chance to speak English perfectly and be “American,” she makes the deal. But soon she realizes how much she has given up by trying to fit in and, along with her two new friends (one of them a talking rat), takes on the witch in an epic battle to try to reverse the spell. 

Review:

This is a beautifully written novel about culture, identity, and self-love. Gabrielle struggles with change because she’s leaving everything she’s ever known in Haiti behind. On top of that, she has difficulty adapting and is constantly bullied at school leaving her to trust in Lady Lydia ( a witch). When things go wrong Gabrielle instantly regrets her wish as it strips her slowly of her identity. She must then fight to reclaim her heritage and stop Lydia before it’s too late.

I loved the blend of fantasy (with magic elements) and a story of self-discovery. Reading this story felt heartwarming and empowering. I truly hope it inspires young readers to find themselves in a world telling them that they aren’t special. I know that story inspired me! I enjoyed watching Gabrielle grow in confidence and bloom in her friendships and identity crisis. The fantasy elements were entertaining and added more to a very strong narrative.

Novels like The Year I flew Away are so important and a reminder that you should never let anyone take away anything from you and to celebrate your differences. The exploration of Haitian culture was so interesting to read about (and the food in this novel sounded delicious). This novel showcases the beauty of culture and languages. I highly recommend this middle-grade read!

Final Verdict: