Marwan's Journey

K-Gr 3—Young Marwan takes "giants steps even though I am small…crossing the desert," leaving traces of his homeland behind. He takes with him small relics such as a photograph as well as many memories as he travels to "an infinite line that separates the desert from the sea." Though he heads to another land with a different language, to a different house in a different country, he remembers his mother's words and never loses hope. Instead, Marwan continues to "pray that night never…goes so dark again." Lightly layered illustrations, done in what appears to be watercolor and ink, use earth tones to evoke a desert landscape. As the child continues his trek, additional but subtle colors are introduced in the changing scenery. Marwan's spare narration effectively conveys his journey, complemented by the changing perspectives of the illustration.