The Kites Are Flying! is a moving and thoughtful novel by Michael Morpurgo. The story is set in a country scarred by conflict (often understood to be in the Middle East or a place with similar geographical and social divisions). The protagonist, a young boy, encounters an older man, a kite maker, whose craft symbolizes peace and hope. The narrative uses the simple act of flying kites as a powerful metaphor for overcoming division, bringing communities together, and imagining a future free from violence. The book is a gentle but firm exploration of the yearning for peace.
