Scan barcode
ferranda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
Americans love labels.
They help them know what to expect.
Sometimes, though,
I think labels stop them from
thinking.
Due to the war in her hometown in Syria, Jude is sent with her mother to live in the United States with their relatives. In her new home, Jude, a 7th grader, wrestles with what it means to be Muslim in America while also trying to stay in touch with her brother and father back in Syria.
I had to keep reminding myself that Other Words For Home is a middle grade book. It definitely is—it’s narrated by a 7th grader—but there was no sugar-coating reality for the sake of a younger audience. Jasmine Warga does an excellent job of portraying serious real-world issues through the eyes of a child while maintaining a beautiful yet simple writing style. A short read, but one that will stick with you.
They help them know what to expect.
Sometimes, though,
I think labels stop them from
thinking.
Due to the war in her hometown in Syria, Jude is sent with her mother to live in the United States with their relatives. In her new home, Jude, a 7th grader, wrestles with what it means to be Muslim in America while also trying to stay in touch with her brother and father back in Syria.
I had to keep reminding myself that Other Words For Home is a middle grade book. It definitely is—it’s narrated by a 7th grader—but there was no sugar-coating reality for the sake of a younger audience. Jasmine Warga does an excellent job of portraying serious real-world issues through the eyes of a child while maintaining a beautiful yet simple writing style. A short read, but one that will stick with you.
thursday48's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
snitcl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
Other Words for Home is an inspiring novel in verse that asks what it means to be home. Is it your family? Having a community? A house? A language? A culture? As Jude immigrates to the United States and enhances her English, she must also learn to navigate this new culture all the while worrying about the family she and her mother left behind.
As Jude makes friends and figures out how she fits in with her new school, she also decides to regain her confidence by auditioning for the school play. While working on her extra-curricular, she must also reckon with living between two cultures and languages. Warga takes these difficult topics and discusses them almost effortlessly.
As Jude makes friends and figures out how she fits in with her new school, she also decides to regain her confidence by auditioning for the school play. While working on her extra-curricular, she must also reckon with living between two cultures and languages. Warga takes these difficult topics and discusses them almost effortlessly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
beccaandthegingercat's review against another edition
5.0
Jude moves with her mother from Syria to the US and has to navigate normal teenage challenges plus the challenges of being a young woman who looks and dresses different than so many of her classmates.
I love how the author gives us a glimpse into Jude’s life - both the celebrations and the moments of defeat.
Would love to read this book with students to help them understand what their peers are experiencing.
I love how the author gives us a glimpse into Jude’s life - both the celebrations and the moments of defeat.
Would love to read this book with students to help them understand what their peers are experiencing.
melodys_library's review against another edition
5.0
The Judes of the world deserve to have their stories heard.
refiningfirefox's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? N/A
5.0
Short yet powerful and beautiful.