The Year We Learned to Fly — Content Guide for Parents
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: “Use those beautiful and brilliant minds of yours. Lift your arms, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and believe in a thing. Somebody somewhere at some point was just as bored you are now.” And before they know it, their imaginations lift them up and out of their boredom. Then, on a day full of quarrels, it’s time for a trip outside their minds again, and they are able to leave their anger behind. This precious skill, their grandmother tells them, harkens back to the days long before they were born, when their ancestors showed the world the strength and resilience of their beautiful and brilliant minds. Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Year We Learned to Fly appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book does not contain any explicit violence. It addresses challenges faced by the characters, such as boredom and sibling conflict, but these are not depicted as violent situations. There are no genuinely frightening elements in the book. The story aims to inspire and uplift rather than instill fear.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have violence?
The book does not contain any explicit violence. It addresses challenges faced by the characters, such as boredom and sibling conflict, but these are not depicted as violent situations.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have scary content?
There are no genuinely frightening elements in the book. The story aims to inspire and uplift rather than instill fear.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have religious themes?
No religious content is present in the book itself. The narrative focuses on themes of resilience and empowerment without referencing specific religious practices or beliefs.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have racial/cultural content?
The book features two Black siblings who use their imaginations to navigate their experiences, connecting to their heritage and history. It acknowledges the struggles of their ancestors, which is a central theme in the narrative.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have profanity?
The book does not include any profanity. The language is appropriate for children and focuses on uplifting themes.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have climate change?
While the book encourages mindfulness and personal change, it does not address climate themes or environmental activism directly. The focus is more on personal empowerment and resilience.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have sexual identity?
There is no sexual content in the book. The narrative is focused on the imaginative and empowering experiences of the main characters, suitable for a young audience.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have gender roles?
The book does not actively discuss or critique gender roles. It focuses on the characters' personal growth and resilience rather than on traditional or modern gender expectations.
Does The Year We Learned to Fly have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes are explicitly mentioned in the book 'The Year We Learned to Fly'. The search results primarily reference Jacqueline Woodson's broader body of work and do not indicate any LGBTQ+ content specific to this title.
