Dickens & Rumi
Cover of THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY

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THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY

Jacqueline Woodson

Two siblings relieve their boredom with their imaginations. (Ages 5 to 8)

Ages 4+Source checked

Why this age? Picture-book language, verse, and gentle themes suit preschool and early-elementary readers; imagination and family resilience invite conversation without apparent mature content. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age4+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity5/5
  • Diverse representation4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

The tone is peaceful and uplifting.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience3/5
Why this rating?

Learning to overcome difficulty through the power of the mind is framed as a courageous act.

Creativity & curiosity5/5
Why this rating?

The entire premise is built on the power of the imagination as a tool for personal freedom.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

The book centers on Black siblings and their grandmother, celebrating their specific cultural narrative.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

It offers incidental exposure to African American history and literary allusions to folklore.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes emotional support and intergenerational care.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The book strongly promotes resilience, the importance of imagination, and the value of ancestral wisdom.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

The grandmother serves as a beautiful, wise mentor, and the children model creativity and self-reflection.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE YEAR WE LEARNED TO FLY, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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