A Sky-Blue Bench

Aria has to return to school after recovering from an accident that left her body irreversibly changed. She’s worried about the pain and discomfort she’ll experience when sitting on the floor with her new “helper leg.” There are no benches or desks; they were used for kindling during wartime.

Aria endures her first day back, but tears glisten in her soft, brown eyes as she tells her mother of her struggles. With encouragement and love, she gathers up the courage to build her own bench. She creates a masterpiece and earns the admiration of her peers.

This is a touching and timely book that portrays the hardships many children in Afghanistan and other war-torn countries face. The author illustrates this beautifully and adds an informative and heartfelt “Author’s Note” that’ll leave a notable impression on young readers. He writes of attending a presentation in first grade in which Afghan students were taught to distinguish land mines from toys.

When youngsters read this, they’ll feel for Aria and her classmates, and they may even step away with an extraordinary feeling of gratitude. Additionally, they’ll be awed by Aria’s bravery and ingenuity. Those aged six to nine will be enlightened by this story.