With a rare smile, Sido signaled to my father to follow him down a hallway. Sido unlocked the iron gate and led him to a lush, sunlit garden. Hundreds of homing pigeons rustled in their wooden cages in the shade of a proud olive tree.

The next moment, he released all the pigeons and skillfully guided them into a circle in the sky, with the help of only a black piece of cloth tied to the end of a long stick.

With surprise and delight, my father asked, "Why won't they fly away?"

Sido shook his head slowly, the key swaying at his side. "This is their home."

That was the last day my father saw his grandfather; the last time he saw Palestine.

This book ozes with a longing and wonder for a home never known in person. I love the art, the way people and setting is drawn is so detailed with such a pretty, precise style. the glossary and all the back matter is very informative, and the real family photos and recreations are beautiful touches.