Character Analysis of Sky in the Novel, Saving Sky

In the novel Saving Sky by Diane Stanley, a thirteen-year-old named Sky Brightman lives in a world of war, terrorism, and unfair prejudice. She is remarkably unaffected by it all, until her friend Kareem is in danger. His family is taken to deportation centers because of their Middle Eastern background, and Kareem is the next target. He must seek refuge with Sky’s family. Although both Kareem and Sky know the world can be dark and unfair, Sky tends to be more of an optimist while Kareem is a realist.
Sky is not oblivious to what is happening around her, but sometimes she chooses to ignore it or tries to see the brighter side of things. She tries to help people when she can, but does not realize that sometimes the situation is simply too complicated for her to handle. She is a optimistFor example, when government agents show up at her house to arrest Kareem, Sky, Kareem and Sky’s younger sister Mouse escape into the hills behind the Brightman property on horseback. Even though it begins to snow and they do not have enough food for the horses, Sky suggests taking a three-day journey to a nearby Pueblo village, where Kareem can hide. Sky is being a good friend by trying to help Kareem, but her idea is unrealistic and Kareem realizes he has to turn himself in or Mouse and Sky could freeze to death outside. Sky does not always see that there is only a certain amount you can do to help others. Sky walks “...around with this la-la fantasy that everybody’s story has a happy ending” (177). She thinks everything will turn out alright in the end, but often that does not happen.
On the other hand, Kareem is more of a realist and a pessimist. He sees the world as it is, and does not try to make everything happy and bright. After his father and cousin are arrested, Sky tries to say that it must be a mistake, but Kareem knows that something strange must be going on. He does not lie to himself to make himself feel better. He and Sky’s father figure out that the deportation centers must be reopening. After he discovers his family has been taken to a deportation center, Sky tries to comfort him. Kareem only insults her and starts ranting that, “I can’t possibly be happy. My father’s in prison, and I can’t stop thinking about how scared he is... And I’ll be repeating seventh grade when I’m eighteen or something, and I’ll never get into college, and I don’t have a future...” (101). Although what he says is probably true, he does not appreciate the fact that Sky is only trying to reassure him. However, he is a kind person and cares deeply about his friends and family. He just refuses try to see the world as something it is not.
Sky and Kareem balance eachother out. Because of Kareem, Sky learns to accept the fact that not everything is perfect, and because of Sky, Kareem learns that it is okay to let loose once in awhile. He realizes that occasionally escaping to fantasyland can be beautiful and fun, and that he does not always have to be so realistic. Sky and Kareem both learn many things from each other throughout the novel, and eventually come to appreciate each other’s contrasting personalities.