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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed the book and the writing! The imagery was wonderful, the characters were lovable, and the message was hopeful. I would recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, War
This immigrant's narrative of a Lost Boy who finds himself in Minnesota in winter was like a breath of fresh air. The outcomes might be a bit Disney channel, but the observations along the way are funny and insightful.
Home of the Brave does a good job of showing the reader America through the eyes of a refugee and how difficult it can be to adjust to a new culture and way of life. Kek is a very sympathetic and engaging main character.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Rounding up to 3 stars because it’s from 2007 but this is honestly maybe one of the most unflattering depictions of African immigrants I’ve ever seen. At the same time though it was truly beautiful, and very touching.
I read this because it was chosen as the class book for my fifth grade students who are largely the children of African immigrants or African immigrants themselves, and while reading this book I truly questioned if they were the intended audience of the author, and if they would even be able to relate to Kek at all or would just see him as an unflattering caricature of themselves. I’m not an African fifth grader though so I will try and remember to come back and update this with their opinions once they read it.
I read this because it was chosen as the class book for my fifth grade students who are largely the children of African immigrants or African immigrants themselves, and while reading this book I truly questioned if they were the intended audience of the author, and if they would even be able to relate to Kek at all or would just see him as an unflattering caricature of themselves. I’m not an African fifth grader though so I will try and remember to come back and update this with their opinions once they read it.
Loved this book. After having read "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate several times, I wanted to see what her other texts were like. I was so instantly drawn in by Kek's voice and the story of his journey in the United States. I devoured the book in a single setting and alternated between crying and laughing out loud (loved the part where he washes dishes!). I think that the free verse style makes this text accessible to students who may be somewhat dormant readers. It ties in well with a study of immigration and what it means to be an American.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-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