Half the Night Sky

For fans of Khaled Hosseini, Fredrik Backman, and Ruta Sepetys. A testament to how friendship and kindness can light up someone's entire world during the darkest of days. No. A word known, a word lived. Something Alik can see clearer than anyone else. Yes, his house is grand. Yes, he's never gone hungry with the war. Yes, he's at the top of his class. But no, he's not one of them. One of those who can laugh freely. Who can sleep peacefully. Who can live. Yes. To Musa, everything is and will always be yes. He's not sure he could even define "no." Until the war drives his family to a faraway city. Grozny isn't home. It doesn't have his brother's grave. It doesn't have his childhood friends. It's just a bustling city with everything he doesn't know. Maybe. That's all it takes. Not a yes, not a no. Just a quiet "maybe." Maybe their paths to school will cross. Maybe the two will become friends. Maybe Alik won't have to worry about the next test. Maybe Musa's burden will soften just a little. Maybe, just maybe, the stars will seem a little brighter than they did yesterday.