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asahome's review against another edition
3.75
TL;DR: A girl navigates transitioning from childhood to adolescence as her home also transforms from a safe place to threats of violence from outside the home. As she navigates her new world and her new self, she learns to rely on those around her to be touch stones on her journey.
pothosethos's review against another edition
5.0
I love this story. The whole book is in verse and I read it all in one sitting. It beautifully describes the story of Jude, a refugee from Syria. It holds the sadness Jude has of missing her homeland and family, and the happy moments she has found in America so well. It is written for a tween audience, but has a depth, sensitivity, and humanity about it. Would highly recommend!
flory_valley's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
vdiviesti's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal book! I can't wait to read it with my 7th and 8th graders!
jennnafziger's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely story of a young immigrant’s struggle to learn how she can maintain her identity and adopt a new culture at the same time. Middle School readers will love Jude and learn compassion and empathy for the Arab people they will meet at the same time. Fantasy book!
eleana_p's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.75
futurama1979's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: this was assigned reading for my MG and YA class.
Of the three books and handful of short stories I've had to read for my course so far this is by far my favourite. I think a large part of that was just familiarity - I'm not Syrian, nor am I myself an immigrant, but coming from a Lebanese family so many of the little details were familiar which I usually never get in fiction. Specifically the food. Whenever she talked about food in this book it made me so happy.
I feel like so few Arab stories in the American canon are centered on people rather than on tragedy. No fault of Arab authors, but the fault of the American perception of Arab life and what they want to read and continue believing. It was so refreshing and wonderful to read a story about an Arab girl that turns out alright. It wasn't a crushing tragedy - it had a hopeful - happy - ending, but it didn't avoid sadness either. And the protagonist, Jude, was such a strong, vibrant girl. It was a real joy to read.
I don't know if Warga has fully sold me on verse novels - I don't know if I'll ever be fully convinced they'll tell a story better than prose - but she fully sold me on Jude's story.
Of the three books and handful of short stories I've had to read for my course so far this is by far my favourite. I think a large part of that was just familiarity - I'm not Syrian, nor am I myself an immigrant, but coming from a Lebanese family so many of the little details were familiar which I usually never get in fiction. Specifically the food. Whenever she talked about food in this book it made me so happy.
I feel like so few Arab stories in the American canon are centered on people rather than on tragedy. No fault of Arab authors, but the fault of the American perception of Arab life and what they want to read and continue believing. It was so refreshing and wonderful to read a story about an Arab girl that turns out alright. It wasn't a crushing tragedy - it had a hopeful - happy - ending, but it didn't avoid sadness either. And the protagonist, Jude, was such a strong, vibrant girl. It was a real joy to read.
I don't know if Warga has fully sold me on verse novels - I don't know if I'll ever be fully convinced they'll tell a story better than prose - but she fully sold me on Jude's story.
kathrynmhairi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0