Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Inspired by her family's experiences of leaving Moscow following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Desnitskaya examines the effects of emigration.A mother and child, pale-skinned with reddish hair, have left home. The youngster shares details about the big city they've left behind. A star-shaped cardboard lamp used to hang in the apartment's kitchen window, orienting the child while the little one headed home from music lessons. As war began, "We left for another country. It's not like home here." The language, the food, the view from the bleak new apartment: all unfamiliar. A gifted illustrator, Desnitskaya contrasts past and present in facing spreads with varied color intensities. Prior scenes show the family's contentment as they eat and read in the warm glow of the star lamp. There's a red-haired, light-skinned adult in one scene: Dad? The new city and apartment are unremittingly gray, with shop and street signs depicted in intentionally obscure text. People's word bubbles reveal only scribbles. "Even Mom is different." She bends over her phone, her back to the narrator, effectively personifying the desperate attempt to connect with what-and who-has been left behind. When Mom brings craft supplies home one day, the pair make a cardboard star and rig a lamp for the window. "After that, everything around us became a little less different." Scenes brighten as the city grows more decipherable, and the narrator makes a friend. The blue-and-yellow color palette poignantly hints at Desnitskaya's sympathies.Beautifully crafted and warmly empathetic. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-9)

School Library Journal Starred Review (Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

K-Gr 3— Desnitskaya ( On the Edge of the World ) once again takes on the topic of home. It's a special place. A girl and her family had a nice life in a city that they loved "until the war came." Coming home from music lessons, the main character always looked for the light of a cardboard star to welcome her home in the early evening hours. After they leave their home and move to another country, everything is different; this loss of familiarity is aptly captured in melancholy illustrations with somber tones. The illustrations are especially effective in capturing the adjustment process. At first the language is indecipherable—the chaos of early days in a new place—but a few spreads later the words become intelligible. Through all the fear and the sadness, light shines through in beautiful yellow and gold tones. This title has a universality that will bring comfort to anyone forced to leave home, regardless of reason; the message is clear that while things will always be different, there is still reason to hope in the future. VERDICT A beautiful tale of loss and adjustment; for those who have never had to leave home, perhaps a lesson in insight and empathy. Highly recommended for all collections.— John Scott

Kirkus Reviews

Inspired by her family's experiences of leaving Moscow following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Desnitskaya examines the effects of emigration.A mother and child, pale-skinned with reddish hair, have left home. The youngster shares details about the big city they've left behind. A star-shaped cardboard lamp used to hang in the apartment's kitchen window, orienting the child while the little one headed home from music lessons. As war began, "We left for another country. It's not like home here." The language, the food, the view from the bleak new apartment: all unfamiliar. A gifted illustrator, Desnitskaya contrasts past and present in facing spreads with varied color intensities. Prior scenes show the family's contentment as they eat and read in the warm glow of the star lamp. There's a red-haired, light-skinned adult in one scene: Dad? The new city and apartment are unremittingly gray, with shop and street signs depicted in intentionally obscure text. People's word bubbles reveal only scribbles. "Even Mom is different." She bends over her phone, her back to the narrator, effectively personifying the desperate attempt to connect with what-and who-has been left behind. When Mom brings craft supplies home one day, the pair make a cardboard star and rig a lamp for the window. "After that, everything around us became a little less different." Scenes brighten as the city grows more decipherable, and the narrator makes a friend. The blue-and-yellow color palette poignantly hints at Desnitskaya's sympathies.Beautifully crafted and warmly empathetic. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-9)