Home of the Brave

I read this book years ago with a group of advanced 4th graders at the school where I was the librarian and I’m reading it again with my 10 year old. The story is told in verse and easy to understand. Helps children understand the refugee experience and why someone might become a refugee. It’s sad and realistic but also uplifting and a good read for kids.

The idea of these Sudanese immigrants being transplanted to a Minnesota town fascinated me. What I didn't expect was to read one of the best books of the year. Told by Kek, a young boy from Sudan, who saw the murders of most of his family, Kek is separated from his probably dead mother and his relief to be in Minnesota with his aunt and cousin. It was so easy to love upbeat Kek and his utter confusion of his new life in America. From snow, escalators, jeans, language and cleaning the dishes in the washer. I laughed at his view of these ordinary things. But he also reminded me of how wealthy our country is compared to most of the world. His marveling at the apartment that his Aunt and cousin live in "That is a palace." Kek finds it easier to adjust to this life than his older war scared cousin, Ganwar. I got caught up in Kek as an optimist. Kek changed the life of others by just asking to help and being the cattle herder that he was. But the most incredible thing about this wonderful book is the language. Written in poetic verse, the words bathed me in description of place, time and emotion. I laughed and weeped and wanted more. READ THIS FABULOUS STORY!

This book, written in free verse, captivated my 5th graders. The text was approachable for all readers. Kek’s story brought home our Social Studies unit on Immigration.

Good reading

Ava babcock Ms. Shine Book review March 23, 2017 Persevere and be brave The book Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate, is one of the most touching and entertaining books I've read in a long time and it never stopped making me want to read more. Keks journey through the book is very lighthearted but funny and he perseveres through the tough situations he goes through and doesn't stop believing in what he wants. This book has strong emotions to flow and carry you through book, strong and poetic descriptions to create a visual image in your mind, and finally, realistic characters to help you relate. In the end, we learn The most about persevering than anything else. This story takes place in present time. Kek is from Africa and has to move to America because his dad and brother died from an attack and his mother went missing. He doesn't want to live in America and really wants to find his mother. But eventually, he finds friends and has a fun time. He even makes a special friend... A cow! Kek goes through a lot during these situations in the story but his friends and family help him throughout the way. This book can get very emotional. For example, at one point in the story Kek he's talking to his cousin, Ganwar. Ganwar is saying that Kek shouldn't believe what he does. He thinks that believing is not right. The text says, “Finally Ganwar speaks/ They're all gone Kek/ They're all dead./ I want to hate Ganwar for his words./ But I am too weary for anger./ Already there are so many people to hate,/ too many./ Not all ,I finally whisper./ Not Mama./ He sighs, it isn't good to fool yourself./ I've learned that much./ Hoping isn't foolish, I say.” (p. 44) This was emotional because Keks cousin was just pushing all his hopes down the drain and not letting him think what he wants to think, even if it might not be true. The text also says, “Listen, buddy, Dave says,/ I'm afraid I've got some more news./ I heard from Diane./ They tracked down the people made it to/ The two refugee camps I told you about./ Something grabs my throat/ and tries to steal the air away./ None of them was your mom, Kek./ I look away./ Nearby a crow flaps it's great, black wings.”(p. 196) This was emotional because Kek was just figuring out that the people hadn't found his mom yet. He was super disappointed and from then on started little by little, not believing. This book can be very emotional. This book is very poetic and descriptive. For example, the text says,” The cow is near a fine,/ wide-armed,/ good-for-climbing tree./ To say the truth of it,/ she is not the most beautiful of cows./ Her belly sags/ and her coat is scarred/ and her face tells me/ she remembers sweeter days.” This part of the text shows me that it is very poetic and descriptive because reading this, I could really imagine what the cow looks like. The text also says, “Lou puts her hands on her hips./ She’s wearing jeans like mine and a big shirt./ Her hair is short and silver/ like a fresh moon./ She has many wrinkles/ to show her great knowledge/ of the world.” (p. 118) this part in the book was very descriptive. It really helped me figure out and know what the lady looks like. Her description helped me know what her personality is like. This book is very descriptive. And last, this book has very realistic and relatable characters. Having realistic characters helps you relate to the book. For example, the text says,” I reach out and touch/ a piece of bright green food/ I've never seen before./ And then I begin to cry./ Hannah rushes over to my side./It's OK, she says./ We can leave if you want.” This shows relatable characters because I think if you were new to a country, and has never seen a store before, you would most likely be overwhelmed with all the items and food. The text also says, “Do you like the cold?/I want to say/ No, this cold is like claws on my skin!” This quote from the story may be short, but it sure is relatable. I can imagine that someone that hasn't been in snow before would dislike it. I know I would, with all the stinging and coldness of it! This book is relatable. Throughout this book, Kek goes through very tough situations that finds a way to sneak through all of them. We learned that persevering and having grit is the best way to get through almost all the tough situations in life. Just be brave and try your best. I definitely give this book a five out of five star rating! You absolutely have to read this.

This book is one of the most amazing, and sophisticated stories you will ever see! Katherine Applegate is an amazing author, and just like "The One And Only Ivan", this book will unwind surprises along the way, but there are some sad parts, so be sure to have a box of tissues by your side!

It's an amazing 😍 book 📖 👏

I am a private language arts teacher and my students love this story! Like some of her other books, It is written in a very easy to read format with short, but impactful chapters so my reluctant readers are not intimidated. It is a great text for strengthening inference skills, and I use it as a mentor text for writing as well because it has strong voice and wonderful word choice. I love the proverbs at the beginning of each section which provide great fodder for discussion. I highly recommend this story for all students fifth grade and above.

Applegate traz a história de um jovem imigrante, que passa por todas as experiências de ter de conviver com uma nova cultura. Sente falta de casa a todo tempo, mesmo sabendo como as coisas são perante à guerra. É uma história que traz uma ideia muito presente de esperança de que coisas boas podem acontecer, bem como, o lado realista de outras personagens.

What does it feel like to be a refugee from Sudan in America? Kek is a cattle-herder from Sudan who has seen his father and brother killed, found his way to a refugee camp with his mother, and then, attacked again, had to flee again, leaving his mother behind. Appleseed has written a story that takes us too on Kek's journey. Without sentimentality, show-don't-tell, we are led to understanding. The form Appleseed has chosen is the prose-poem which captures the deep awareness of a simpler life than malls, traffic and shopping. She has written a marvelous and memorable book. Keep tissues to hand. You will weep.

What a lovely book ! A must read for all the young readers and the old as well. Easy read for independent readers 7 years and above but for deeper understanding I would suggest 8 years and above!

I ordered 2 for my twins One arrived damaged like second hand

I really loved this book! I'm going to use it with my 5th graders on the project about migrations. It is easy and fast to read. Written in a poetry shape. I loved the sweet way the main character describes the new things he sees. It made me laugh more than once! :)