Things Seen from Above

Often, children ask, “What inspired you to write this story?”
I honestly think teachers tell them to ask the question. Or maybe they think it’s a cool and clever question to ask.
I’m honestly curious, though, and I love it when the author’s note tells us about it.

Things Seen from Above was inspired by a photograph of the author’s nephew, and then, artists like Simon Beck and Marc Treanor. It begins with a simple premise–what would it be like to see the world in a completely different way? If you look at the world from above, how different would it be? Do you notice, for instance, how the letters E, T, F and Z look the same?

Enter Joey Byrd, the oddball of fourth grade. The one who jumps about on the playground making weird shapes, spirals and waves. He’s a loner, spending all his time stamping about by himself. Until April Boxler, who doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of sixth grade, becomes curious about him. With a little bit of help, she figures out what Joey is doing, and she is stunned.

Things Seen from Above is a gentle middle grade story about a child who is different. We get a peek into Joey’s mysterious world, into his unconventional way of seeing things. It is fitting that just like Joey’s artwork in the playground is fleeting, we get fleeting glimpses of Joey’s life. He transforms the world in his own little way, and then he moves on.

A sensitively told story about being an outcast and finding pockets of belonging, Things Seen from Above makes for an unusual, charming read.