The Flight of a Dove

Authors

Alexandra Day

Publisher

Farrar Straus Giroux

Publication Year

2004

ISBN

9780374399528

Pages

32 pages

Genre

realism

Format

picture book

Item Type

Fiction

Annotation

Betsy is a child trapped inside her own body. Her autism keeps her isolated and alone, a world apart from even her mother. After hearing about a school for children with developmental disabilities, Betsy's mother enrolls her with high hopes. But once there, Betsy cries uncontrollably and refuses all attempts to comfort her. She sits with her eyes shut tight and her fists clenched. The head teacher believes that animals sometimes help children overcome problems, so she tries to engage Betsy with the many pets in residence at the school. Betsy shows no interest in any of them -- until the day one special bird manages to catch her attention.

Grade Level

PK-1; K-3

Diversity Topics

Disability and Health; Developmental Disability; autism; autism spectrum disorder; child with a developmental disability

Main Character

female child

Race/Ethnicities

White

Family Formation

mother and father

Awards

Dolly Gray Children's Literature Award, 2006, Considered Title, Autism

Keywords

affection; seasons; flowers; gray; dove; animals; isolation; comfort

Diversity Impact

direct

STARS Citation

Day, Alexandra, "The Flight of a Dove" (2004). Diverse Families. 2059.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/diversefamilies/2059