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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Beautifully written story of Kek, a Lost Boy of Sudan, his transition into the harsh winter and realities of Minneapolis, and his well of optimism as it is challenged and tested by culture shock and traumas that haunt him. I loved this book!
This is a children's book written in verse. It tells the story of a young boy, Kek, from Africa who has come to America from a refugee camp to live with his Aunt and cousin. Kek has lost his father, brother, and possibly his mother.
Kek has a pretty difficult time, as you can imagine, adjusting to life in America and dealing with his feelings about everything he has gone through. His cousin Ganwar has also lost a lot and is having difficulties. The two boys begin work on the farm of an older woman tending to her land and animals, including an old cow, who Kek names Gol (meaning Family). Kek also meets a wonderful little girl who becomes his friend.
This is a truly remarkable book, and Katherine Applegate is quickly becoming one of my favorite children's authors.
Kek has a pretty difficult time, as you can imagine, adjusting to life in America and dealing with his feelings about everything he has gone through. His cousin Ganwar has also lost a lot and is having difficulties. The two boys begin work on the farm of an older woman tending to her land and animals, including an old cow, who Kek names Gol (meaning Family). Kek also meets a wonderful little girl who becomes his friend.
This is a truly remarkable book, and Katherine Applegate is quickly becoming one of my favorite children's authors.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
Beautifully written story about Kek, a refugee from a war torn area of the Sudan, who comes to live with his aunt and cousin in Minnesota. His mother is missing after a violent attack on their refugee camp and people are looking for her to bring her to the U.S. Kek adjusts to life in America, often shocked by the things that Americans often take for granted like public schools, libraries and grocery stores. After he accidentally breaks his aunt’s dishes, he convinces a local farm owner to let him take care of her cow and other farm animals. Kek’s family raised cattle in Sudan and he feels the most comfortable around them. He also convinces Lou to hire his cousin Ganwar, who is older and missing a hand as a result of war in Sudan. Kek is part of an ESL class at school and also makes friends with his neighbor Hannah, a foster child. When Lou has to sell her farm, Kek comes up with a plan to take the cow, now named Gol, to the local zoo to be part of the petting zoo. The three kids walk the cow to the zoo and the zoo accepts on the condition that Gol be examined by the vet. In the end, Kek’s mother is found and they are reunited in America.
emotional
funny
hopeful
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No