Summary
Jude never thought she’d be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US—and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” an identity she’s never known before.
Theme(s):
Bravery, Acceptance, Resilience
Personal Response
I enjoyed reading this book, and think it is a powerful book to read since it shows the difficult realities of living in Syria during the war; having to leave behind one’s home, family, and friends. This book made me feel sorry for Jude and what her family went through. I think this is an important book for students to read, so they can see the hardships and realities others face.
Teaching Ideas
For this book, I would do a read-aloud in the classroom. After the read-aloud we would discuss the setting, themes, hardships, and how we think characters felt. At the end as an activity, students will create character maps in which they will identify personality traits and challenges the characters face.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 04, Grade 05
