63 pages • 2 hours read
368
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
United States • 2010s
2019
Middle grade
9-12 years
In Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home, 12-year-old Jude, a Syrian girl, relocates to Cincinnati, Ohio, with her pregnant mother to escape burgeoning violence in Syria. Jude navigates her new life in America, facing language barriers, cultural differences, and the challenges of adolescence while finding friendship and a sense of belonging through school and theater. The novel addresses themes of displacement and identity.
Emotional
Hopeful
Inspirational
Heartwarming
Contemplative
34,598 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga captivates readers with its lyrical prose and authentic portrayal of a Syrian girl adapting to life in America. Praised for its emotional depth and realism, it offers a resonant perspective on immigration and identity. Some find the narrative pacing slow, but its heartfelt journey remains impactful and inspiring overall.
Fans of poignant, lyrical storytelling suitable for middle-grade readers will cherish Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga. This novel appeals to those who enjoyed diverse perspectives in Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai or the resilience themes in Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan.
34,598 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
368
Novel/Book in Verse • Fiction
United States • 2010s
2019
Middle grade
9-12 years
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