Fly!

by Christopher Myers

Jawanza watches everything from his window. He watches the children running and playing below, but most of all he watches the birds write all over the sky scribbling their crazy bird clouds. When he steps outside and meets Roderick the Three and his ensemble of feathered friends, he discovers a unique and unexpected friendship. Award-winning author/illustrator Christopher Myers brings us a thoughtful look at the beauty of friendship with Fly.

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Christopher Dean "Chris" Myers is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. In 1998, Myers won a Caldecott Honor for his illustrations in Harlem. The following year, he wrote and illustrated Black Cat, a book that received a Coretta Scott King Award (2000). In addition to writing and illustrating his own stories, Myers often illustrates books written by his father Walter Dean Myers.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy observes the world around him from the window of his apartment and he discovers a man on the roof who dances with the pigeons and teaches him about friendship

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While trying to look for some picture books to add to my repertoire for curriculum use, I pulled out this book because the cover caught my eye. It's about a lonely boy, Jawanza who meets Mr. Roderick Jackson Montgomery the Three and his feathered friends. Mr. Montgomery the Three teaches Jawanza how to communicate and make friends with the pigeons by dancing.

I'm not sure how to use this book but the watercolor illustrations are fabulous. Christopher Myers is the son of Walter Dean Myers and he illustrates some of his father's books, like Monster and Harlem (Harlem is a great children's book for teaching wahi pana poems). Walter Dean Myers is a very difficult author to get to do readings, but according to the YA Goddess, Teri Lesesne, Christopher is a fabulous speaker and I'm interested in looking at more of his work. Maybe we can bring him to Hawaii.

Favorite line: "A voice like grits and gravy rains through the window all over my case."

[Joshua Piorier Sr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an alright story, I would recommend. It seems like it would be a story based out of Queens, N.Y., as that is where the author Christopher Myers is from. The storyline may seem odd to some if you simply open the book and read it. I also teach my son to do research so you can understand what the author may want you to read. I will say it is more of a new experience.

[Katherine Pershey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice artwork, and a few lovely turns of phrase. But all in all... eh.

[Amanda Andrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has beautiful illustrations, but I felt like it moved very slowly and had a weird message. I enjoyed the part where the boy and man move like the pigeons.

[Savannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very odd book.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Strange, unique story. Definitely over my two-year-old's head, although he loves the pictures of the birds and the dancing figures.

[Morgan Phillips]

Great story about friendship, diverse characters, award-winner

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd sort of story. Nice illustrations though.