The Map of Good Memories
Description
Winner of the 2017 New York City Big Book Award. Some say that we always return to the places where we embraced life, where we were happy. Zoe, a girl who must flee her city with her family because of the war, remembers them before she leaves.
Zoe had lived in the city since she was born. She knew every building, every park, every corner of the city. But the war broke out and she, like many others, had to say goodbye to her home and leave without knowing when she might return. Zoe has so many good memories of her city... Her grandparents' house, a shelter full of dreams and games, her old school, where she met her friends and loved learning new things. Not to mention the downtown park, where She'd spent many Sunday mornings there, playing on the swings, listening to people playing music, and riding her bike.
Almost about to leave, Zoe spread the map of the city on a table and and started to mark all the places where she was really happy, with the certainty that they will always accompany her.
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Reviews
A moving and timeless story that is sure to spark discussions at home and in the classroom; for first purchase.- School Library Journal
This deceptively simple tale follows Zoe, a young girl forced by war to flee the city she loves with her family "and take refuge in another country." The night before she leaves, Zoe sits down with a map of the city and marks her favorite places. As she does, she lovingly reminisces about each one, drawing readers into her happiest memories. Zoe then connects the scattered points with a red pencil and forms the letters of her name. This brings her comfort, and as she prepares to leave her home, she knows that she will forever carry her memories with her. The unnamed city appears to be European, and for the most part, the narrative is suspended in time; only an illustration of a movie theater showing The Wizard of Oz (and a quote from Anne Frank in the author's note) confirms that the conflict uprooting Zoe's family is World War II. An author's note explains Nuño's intention to write a book about saying farewell and appreciating the simple pleasures and small joys to be found in life. The tale is also a poignant reflection on the impact of war and what it means to be a refugee. Celej's soft watercolor illustrations are hauntingly beautiful and show, in stark contrast, Zoe's beloved home and a city battered by war. VERDICT A moving and timeless story that is sure to spark discussions at home and in the classroom; for first purchase.- School Library Journal