Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
If you are going to read a story about a refugee, I strongly encourage you to read a story written by a refugee, and not a white woman.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
dark
hopeful
lighthearted
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
informative
sad
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:
Complicated
A really lovely book in verse. Teared up a little at the end because Kek's story is legit moving.
I just read this to start getting ready for teaching grade 5 for the first time in August. For a curriculum fit, I suppose I’m okay with the book, since the standards are about theme, and this one illustrates the experience of a refugee in the US. I do appreciate the representation of a child of color, though it is written by a white woman from the USA, which is a missed opportunity.
As an adult reader, I’m just not convinced by the authenticity of the narration. Some of the metaphors and responses seemed out of touch and clunky. I wish there had simply been more research and thought put into it.
As an adult reader, I’m just not convinced by the authenticity of the narration. Some of the metaphors and responses seemed out of touch and clunky. I wish there had simply been more research and thought put into it.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
I'm not a fan of books in verse in general and that was the first problem. The greater problem was my concern with the portrayal of a young Sudanese refugee as naive to the modern world in the extreme.I find it hard to believe a young man having spent time in refugee camps has never heard of jeans and calls television a "TV machine." At best it was an unsuccessful attempt at telling the story in broken English and at worst poorly researched and first-world, white bias on Katherine Applegate's part.
Middle grade readers, especially fans of books in verse and sad stories, might appreciate this book. It may serve to introduce kids to the plight of global refugees and immigrant experiences in general, though I have a hard time imagining myself recommending it to someone. I would have loved to see an author's note at the least.
Middle grade readers, especially fans of books in verse and sad stories, might appreciate this book. It may serve to introduce kids to the plight of global refugees and immigrant experiences in general, though I have a hard time imagining myself recommending it to someone. I would have loved to see an author's note at the least.