How To Find Your Way In The Air

Emily can’t forgive Grandad for coming to stayand taking over her precious bedroom. It’s Khadija, her best friend, who findsa way to break through. Grandad is excited by Khadija’s Barbadian ancestry,recalling Aubie, his best friend from long ago. As he tells them how he and Aubiewere Prisoners of War, the two girls appoint Grandad their Oral HistoryInformant for their school project on World War 2. In chapters alternating withtheirs, he unfolds his story, tapping into memories that have remained buriedfor sixty years. Meanwhile, Emily and Khadija are dealing with the pangs offirst love, the terror of confronting a racist gang. Making it their mission totrack down Aubie before it’s too late, they go to spend half-term in Barbados.They find Aubie just in time for Grandad’s ninetieth birthday, only for ahurricane to blow all their plans away. The airport is closed, they miss hisbirthday and return to find that he has died in hospital. In the midst of herdevastation, Emily is comforted by Abdi, a young Somali refugee who hasbefriended Grandad. Grandad’s last gift to Emily is a little book: How ToFind Your Way In The Air.