Other Words for Home

I saw Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga recommended online and got it from the library. The book is about Jude, who leaves Syria with her mother to live with relatives in the United States. She has to leave behind her older brother and father and adjust to a new world as a refugee in America.

This was a wonderful book. It is written in verse, which I always enjoy. The story was really meaningful and super applicable to today's world. I loved getting a glimpse into the life of a refugee/immigrant, including parts about the ESL class, for example. Great read. This is another one that would be great for Emmeline in a couple years.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

White Bird

I heard that R.J. Palacio wrote another Wonder story--a graphic novel called White Bird--so I checked it out from the library. This book elaborates on the Julian chapter of the original book and tells Grandmere's story as a young Jewish girl during the Holocaust.

This was a beautiful, powerful read. I loved the graphic novel format for the book, and the author did a great job telling the story. I read in the afterward that this book was meant to be an introduction to the Holocaust for children. Emmeline would not be emotionally ready for this book now (age 9), but I would love for her to read it in a couple years. I'd highly recommend this read!

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)