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Mama's Nightingale

A Story of Immigration and Separation

Author Edwidge Danticat
Illustrated by Leslie Staub
Ebook
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
On sale Sep 01, 2015 | 32 Pages | 9780399185885
Grades 6-8
Reading Level: Lexile NC890L
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A touching tale of parent-child separation and immigration, from a National Book Award finalist

After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good.

With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.
© Lynn Savarese

EDWIDGE DANTICAT is the author of numerous books, including The Art of Death, a National Book Critics Circle finalist; Claire of the Sea Light, a New York TimesNotable Book; Brother, I'm Dying, a National Book Critics Circle Award winner and National Book Award finalist; The Dew Breaker, a PEN/Faulkner Award finalist and winner of the inaugural Story Prize; The Farming of Bones, an American Book Award winner; Breath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah's Book Club selection; and Krik? Krak!, also a National Book Award finalist. A 2018 Neustadt International Prize for Literature winner and the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" grant, she has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, and elsewhere.

EDWIDGE DANTICAT is available for select readings and lectures. To inquire about a possible appearance, please contact Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau at speakers@penguinrandomhouse.com or visit prhspeakers.com.

View titles by Edwidge Danticat
Leslie Staub is a children's book author and illustrator from New Orleans, LA. She works in her studio in the country north of there with her dog, rabbit, and all the wild creatures who live in the woods. View titles by Leslie Staub
Now a Kirkus Best Books of 2015!

"Skillfully written with Creole words sprinkled into the English, Mama’s Nightingale is richly illuminated by Leslie Staub’s oil paintings evoking Haitian folk art.”—The New York Times

* "A must-read both for children who live this life of forced separation and those who don't."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "[Danticat] beautifully conveys a story about loss and grief and hope and joy."—School Library Journal, starred review

"A serious yet hopeful story...readers similarly separated from a loved one may well find solace in Danticat’s honest storytelling."—Publishers Weekly

"Children of parents who are being detained will be comforted by knowing they are not the only ones facing this challenge and might even be inspired to take action the way Saya does."—The Horn Book

"Danticat’s immigration story is compelling...The inclusion of Haitian phrases adds to the personal nature of the story, whose happy ending is deserved by all."—Booklist

About

A touching tale of parent-child separation and immigration, from a National Book Award finalist

After Saya's mother is sent to an immigration detention center, Saya finds comfort in listening to her mother's warm greeting on their answering machine. To ease the distance between them while she’s in jail, Mama begins sending Saya bedtime stories inspired by Haitian folklore on cassette tape. Moved by her mother's tales and her father's attempts to reunite their family, Saya writes a story of her own—one that just might bring her mother home for good.

With stirring illustrations, this tender tale shows the human side of immigration and imprisonment—and shows how every child has the power to make a difference.

Author

© Lynn Savarese

EDWIDGE DANTICAT is the author of numerous books, including The Art of Death, a National Book Critics Circle finalist; Claire of the Sea Light, a New York TimesNotable Book; Brother, I'm Dying, a National Book Critics Circle Award winner and National Book Award finalist; The Dew Breaker, a PEN/Faulkner Award finalist and winner of the inaugural Story Prize; The Farming of Bones, an American Book Award winner; Breath, Eyes, Memory, an Oprah's Book Club selection; and Krik? Krak!, also a National Book Award finalist. A 2018 Neustadt International Prize for Literature winner and the recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" grant, she has been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, and elsewhere.

EDWIDGE DANTICAT is available for select readings and lectures. To inquire about a possible appearance, please contact Penguin Random House Speakers Bureau at speakers@penguinrandomhouse.com or visit prhspeakers.com.

View titles by Edwidge Danticat
Leslie Staub is a children's book author and illustrator from New Orleans, LA. She works in her studio in the country north of there with her dog, rabbit, and all the wild creatures who live in the woods. View titles by Leslie Staub

Praise

Now a Kirkus Best Books of 2015!

"Skillfully written with Creole words sprinkled into the English, Mama’s Nightingale is richly illuminated by Leslie Staub’s oil paintings evoking Haitian folk art.”—The New York Times

* "A must-read both for children who live this life of forced separation and those who don't."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "[Danticat] beautifully conveys a story about loss and grief and hope and joy."—School Library Journal, starred review

"A serious yet hopeful story...readers similarly separated from a loved one may well find solace in Danticat’s honest storytelling."—Publishers Weekly

"Children of parents who are being detained will be comforted by knowing they are not the only ones facing this challenge and might even be inspired to take action the way Saya does."—The Horn Book

"Danticat’s immigration story is compelling...The inclusion of Haitian phrases adds to the personal nature of the story, whose happy ending is deserved by all."—Booklist

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