Other Words for Home is a novel in verse, or a book-length poem that tells a story. It’s about a Syrian refugee who’s trying to build a new life in a place where most people don’t look like her.
Other Words for Home is one of TFK’s 10 recommended reads for summer. After we made our picks, we handed them off to our team of TFK Kid Reporters to get their take. Here, TFK Kid Reporter Belle Irby shares her review.
We’ll be posting reviews each week, all summer long. Check back next Tuesday to read about Rocket to the Moon!, by Don Brown.
Other Words for Home is about a 12-year-old girl named Jude who escapes the war in Syria by moving to the United States. Jude must leave behind her father, brother, and friends. In the U.S., Jude and her mother settle in Cincinnati, Ohio. They live with relatives there.
Jude tries to adapt to her new family, school, and community, though it’s difficult. She also faces prejudice. People stereotype Jude based on her appearance and her background.
But Jude challenges herself to be brave by trying out for a role in the school play. She gets the role, which gives her hope for a brighter future. Eventually, she makes new friends and begins to feel more at home in her new country.
Other Words for Home is written in verse. It’s a great read for those who enjoy poetry. The book will also resonate with people who have faced and overcome challenges.
I would give this book an 8 out of 10. I loved reading a story about girl power and bravery.
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