One of America’s premier authors for young readers, who took them into Terabithia and then into the mills in early New England, now takes young readers to the conflict in Bosnia. In Katherine Paterson’s latest book, THE DAY OF THE PELICAN (Clarion books, 2009, $16.00), we first meet Meli Lleshi on the day she draws a picture of her teacher with his pelican nose. From that day on serious problems begin, and Meli blames herself for the trouble.
Meli’s family are Albanian living in Serbia. This alone causes conflict. Meli’s family is forced to flee from their home to seek sanctuary elsewhere. They load the family farm truck with provisions but before they can leave the soldiers come and confiscate the truck and its contents. Now the extended family, including an aged grandmother, set out to walk to the border. The survival of the family is amazing as they cobble together shelter and food along the way.
The family finally make their way to a Displaced Persons encampment in Macedonia, ultimately going to Barre Vermont where they now reside.