Reviews

Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

Only show reviews with written explanations

bibliobrandie's review against another edition

4.0

I saw that Elizabeth Acevedo recommended this book and that was all the push I needed to pick it up. This is a novel in verse with some magical realism, which are two of my favorite types of books and I think this is a good example of both. The story focuses on Nima, a young Muslim teen being raised by her single mother in the suburbs. Nima’s mom moved them to the United States for “a better life.” Nima doesn’t feel like she belongs in either her Arabic classes or at school, she has only one real friend, and she questions whether this really is the better life her mom was looking for when she left their home country. Nima spends time wondering and “what-if-ing” until one day she gets to glimpse into what life could have been like. Beautifully written with characters you root for and care about in a thoughtfully crafted setting. In the end, this is a beautiful story of the mother-daughter bond.
I book talked it to my 8th graders this week for the final week of National Poetry Month and am looking forward to hearing some reviews from them.
Off topic here but this is the second magical realism book I have read for middle grade this year and I wonder, in my library that is genrefied, does this belong in "fantasy" or "realistic fiction." It doesn't seem like it fits nicely in either.

alanacca123's review against another edition

Go to review page

sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

hannaww's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mdesr089's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

sundayfever's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

melinda_and_her_books's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Thank You Netgalley and Random House Children's for my gifted copy. I completely agree with the description that Elizabeth Acevedo fans will enjoy this poetry book. I really enjoyed it and the uniqueness