Flying Over Water

Twelve-year-old Noura Alwan and her family are granted asylum in the United States after fleeing war-torn Aleppo and spending two years in a Turkish refugee camp. They arrive in Tampa, Florida, just as the president implements a ban on entry from Muslim-majority nations. Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Jordyn Johnson, a record-breaking swimmer, struggles with her performance since her mom's miscarriage. Her family volunteers to help the Alwan family through their church, which leads to Jordyn and Noura meeting at Bayshore Middle School, where Jordyn serves as the Alwan children's school ambassador. Despite being safe from the civil unrest in Aleppo, Noura faces new challenges and adversity in America. While many in their Florida community see the refugees as a threat, Jordyn is sympathetic to Noura's situation. As the president's Muslim ban tests everyone's resolve and faith, it is the power of friendship that stands strong against fear and hatred. Authors N.H. Senzai and Shannon Hitchcock expertly craft the intersection of the lives of these two girls, one a Muslim fleeing civil war and the other an American from the South, forcing them to examine their beliefs and the true meaning of friendship amidst political turmoil.