Agripping story about two brave children on the run in the Big Apple.

This timely story features two American children: Jason, the son of a single mom from Afghanistan who has overstayed her visa in America, and Max, a white American girl who has epilepsy. Serendipity brings the two children together and leads to an exciting but nerve-wracking adventure around New York City. The heroic protagonists exhibit a good balance between independent problem-solving and making mistakes. In Jason’s present-tense narration, Hashimi creatively explores the similarities and differences in the two children’s lives: how they grew up, their relationships with their families, the ways they use their wits, and their levels of trust. She also provides a nuanced and accessible perspective on the complex issues of illegal immigration and childhood epilepsy. Jason’s sole family member disappears for reasons he could never have contemplated, and Max is a witty, confident girl who longs to be considered just like everyone else. Leveraging her pediatrician expertise but without didacticism, Hashimi also shares what people should do if they see someone having an epileptic attack.

An important book with a well-crafted plot that is sure to linger several days after readers finish it. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)

-Kirkus Review

As an adult, it was meh. But I see kids loving this because it has scenes that are a bit out there, such as Jason D stealing a police horse and busting out of the hospital with Max. So that’s why I’m giving it a four, has a Home Alone feel to it. ( )

It's a kids caper day in New York City, and the story of a son and mother separated and the story of a girl with epilepsy looking for some time to enjoy the world before a major surgery. Quick moving plot, believable close calls, moving story. I loved the riddles throughout -- they add a certain magic. ( )

Another Golden Sower nominee. Didn't plan on reading this in one sitting, but once I got about 50 pages in, I couldn't stop. Also, between reading this book and teaching Catcher in the Rye for four years, I really want to visit Central Park in NYC. Yet another book to teach empathy, which is often why I prefer reading middle grade and YA fiction. I don't get that a lot from fiction geared toward adults. ( )

The Sky at Our Feet is… okay. Just okay. It has some good themes, a good friendship, and some potential, but there were a few minor things that made it fall under excellent for me. As always with books like these, I want to underline that The Sky at Our Feet is a middle grade novel and I am well above the target age group. Things I notice may not be an obstacle to a middle grade reader, and as such, all opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

I think the representation here was great. Hashimi is a first generation immigrant – both her parents were from Afghanistan, which makes The Sky at Our Feet an Own Voices novel. Authentic voices are always the best kind. You can see that she has personal ties to the fear Jason D. feels. And of course, you do root for Jason D. as he tries to navigate New York City on his own and find his mother.

There are a few events and coincidences in the city – added to bring his adventure to the next level – that seem a bit extreme. I sincerely doubt a kid who has never ridden a horse before would be able to steal a police horse, for example, let alone mount it so effectively and hang on, and that such a meticulously trained horse would just bolt off. I confess – events like this are very much highlighted by my cynical adult eye, but for most of the intended audience, scenes like this would be part of The Sky at Our Feet‘s charm.

I do think I’d recommend this book for a middle grade reader. It’s so nice to see diversity in books, and it’s good to see both immigration and epilepsy represented as well. Middle grade readers will love Max and Jason D. Aside from the intended audience, though, I don’t think The Sky at Our Feet transcends age groups. There are some books that do – some books equally lovable to ten-year-olds and thirty-year-olds. The writing in The Sky at Our Feet is too simple to be enjoyable for an older audience, the imagery too bluntly spelled out. But for younger readers? Yes, absolutely. This book was written for them and I think they would enjoy it. ( )

Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Level: Middle grade
Recommended: Yes

Jason D. has recently learned that his Afghan mother has been living in the U.S. illegally. She had been in the U.S. on a student visa that lapsed after she gave birth to Jason and her husband was killed in Afghanistan. When Jason sees two strange men taking his mom away from her work, he assumes the worst. Jason takes a train to New York City in the hopes of finding his mother’s friend, Auntie Seema, so that she can help him get his mother back. Unfortunately, Jason passes out in Penn Station and is taken to a hospital, where he meets a girl named Max who doesn’t want to be there any more than Jason does. The two of them mastermind an escape that most adults wouldn’t be able to pull off. While trying to avoid all policemen, prevent any further medical emergencies, and find Jason’s aunt with only a partial address, Jason and Max experience all kinds of adventures while traversing the city.

This is a beautifully written story about the bonds of family and friendship in troubling times. The news is riddled with stories of immigrant families being separated, but this novel takes a look at one family and how immigration policies have affected them. The side story about Max and how she has dealt with epilepsy adds to the theme of displaced persons and how modern society treats those who are different. Recommended for gr. 5-8. ( )

Jason's mother is living in the US without proper paperwork. His father had been a translator for the US forces in Afghanistan and was killed because of his work. A short while after Jason's mother tells him all this, he sees his mother being escorted away from her job in a police car. He panics, runs away, injures himself and ends up in the hospital. At the hospital he meets Max, a young girl with an condition she is unwilling to talk about. She comes up with the idea to leave the hospital and try to find Jason's aunt.
I really liked Jason and Max as well as many of the secondary characters that populate this book. The adventure the two kids go on is quite realistic, with misunderstandings, getting lost, hunger and fear all part of the story. Fast-moving. ( )

Kirkus Reviews: "An important book with a well-crafted plot that is sure to linger several days after readers finish it."