Home of the Brave

Title: Home of the Brave

Author: Katherine Applegate

Genre: Multicultural Fiction

This novel is told from the point of view of Kek, a young boy who comes alone to America from his home in Sudan, having lost his father and brother, not knowing where his mother is, to live with his aunt and older cousin. The way this story is told is through verse and poem. Kek is experiencing everything for the first time and doesn't know what to make of it all. He soon befriends a girl from a foster home, and old woman, and a cow. The novel goes through his new life and how he makes friends, experiences snow, goes through school and becomes an "American". Will he be able to adjust or will he fall behind and wish he could go back home to Africa?

I loved this story. It gives a great glimpse not only into a different life, but the way it is written is very moving and intense. I would label this book more for 4th or 5th graders. It gives a glimpse into a life that many students haven't heard of. This would be a great segway for lessons about immigrants and all people in the world. It can be done to show that there are new people coming in everyday, and although they may seem different, they have dreams just like they do. I think a great lesson would be to have the children write a letter to someone acting like they are someone from a different country coming to America. It would put them in the "shoes" of someone else and give them a glimpse into the life of someone who has never been here before. You could also switch it it up and have them write to the person to explain to them the different aspects of America and how to adjust to it. This can show them that it may not be as easy as they think it is to adjust. It's a great book to show diversity and how to handle it.