the highlight of a game for swallows lies in abirached's small neighborhood community and the care they have for one another. it's insightful learning abt their respective histories - all mired by war in one or another -  and how they come together - both figuratively and literally - to rally and support abirached and her brother in the absence of her parents. this book also has excellent art that illustrates the charm and impact of graphic novels, w/ abirached using striking visual elements to masterfully show-not-tell. the book ends too abruptly for me, however, but it's enjoyable nevertheless.