Close to the Wind

About this book

Stories about greed, love, trust and what matters most when your world falls apart.

A war-torn country . . . only one way out. Ten-year-old Malik's world is falling apart. Soldiers have invaded town, and his mother is missing, leaving Malik with his grandfather, Papa. Along with a thousand other refugees, their hope for escape to a new life lies in gaining passage aboard one ship — but the demand for tickets is high, and so is the cost. Can they make it on? And will they find Mama before the ship departs? When things don't go as planned, Malik must summon all of his courage and resourcefulness to survive.

A heart-wrenching and suspenseful story of sacrifice and resilience, Close to the Wind confronts the realities of war in a timeless and accessible way.

Reviews

Praise for Close to the Wind:
A Summer 2015 Kids' Indie Next List pick

"Malik's story is simultaneously worldly and gentle, reminding readers that though life is sometimes breathtakingly disappointing and war can certainly bring out the worst in people, bad guys don't always win in the end." -- The Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books

"Walter's debut novel is a profile of innocence maintained in the face of war... The roller-coaster ride of experiences and emotions, taking Malik and readers from fear, despair, loss, and grief to love and hope, is accurately drawn." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Walter does not name the country that Malik is escaping from or the details of the source of the conflict, allowing readers to concentrate on Malik's tender-hearted character and his responses with the attention and respect that he and others like him deserve." -- Shelf Awareness

"Walter turns the heart-rending emotional toll of war on the civilian population into a very personal, poignant story that the reader will remember." -- Voice of Youth Advocates

Praise for My Name is Not Friday:

* "Samuel's endearing, immersive narration makes the novel a fascinating and unforgettable account of a brutal and shameful chapter in America's history. A heartbreaking story about family, justice, and the resilience of the human spirit." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "Walter masterfully constructs the world of the plantation and presents a large population of complex and distinctive characters, resulting in a rich, thought-provoking, and deeply satisfying book." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Compelling . . . Lyrically written." --School Library Journal, starred review