The Day of the Pelican

The Day of the Pelican follows thirteen-year-old Meli Lleshi and her Albanian Muslim family during the Kosovo War of the late 1990s. When violence forces them to flee their home, they join the masses of refugees seeking safety across borders. The family's journey takes them from Kosovo to a refugee camp, and eventually to an unexpected destination: a small town in Vermont. Their struggle to adapt to life in America becomes more complex when the September 11 attacks occur. Through Meli's perspective, this middle-grade novel chronicles a young person's experience of war, displacement, and immigration. The narrative explores themes of family bonds, cultural identity, and the universal search for belonging in times of crisis.

Readers note this book helps middle-grade students understand the Kosovo War and refugee experiences through the perspective of an Albanian Muslim family. Many reviewers appreciate how the book addresses complex topics like ethnic cleansing and displacement while remaining age-appropriate. Readers liked: - Clear explanations of the historical context - Focus on family relationships during crisis - Authentic portrayal of refugee challenges - Connection to 9/11 and American Muslim experiences Common criticisms: - Plot moves too quickly through major events - Characters lack emotional depth - Writing style feels detached - Ending seems rushed and oversimplified Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (40+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One teacher reviewer noted: "This book opened meaningful discussions about prejudice and persecution in my classroom." Another reader commented: "The story skips over too many important moments that could have built stronger connections to the characters."

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🔸 Katherine Paterson drew inspiration for this book from a real refugee family she met in Vermont, who had escaped from Kosovo during the war. 🔸 The title "The Day of the Pelican" refers to an incident where Meli draws a picture of her teacher that resembles a pelican, leading to consequences that change her family's life. 🔸 During the Kosovo War (1998-1999), approximately 850,000 ethnic Albanians were forced to flee Kosovo as refugees. 🔸 The author visited Kosovo and interviewed numerous refugees to ensure authentic representation of the historical events and cultural details in the book. 🔸 Katherine Paterson is a two-time Newbery Medal winner (for "Bridge to Terabithia" and "Jacob Have I Loved") and was named the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature in 2010-2011.