Home of the Brave

Applegate, Katherine. (2007). New York: Feiwel and Friends. 978-0-312-36765-7

PLOT SUMMARY

Kek moved to Minnesota in the middle of winter after living in a refugee camp when his family was killed in Sudan. Now he must learn a new language, a new way of life, and do it without his father, brother, and his missing mother.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Written entirely in verse, this story is stunning, filled with striking imagery that is original and really allows the reader to empathize with the plight of this young boy. He is homesick and struggling to deal with life in a new land, and he does it graciously and with courage. The misunderstandings are humorous, such as when he wants to help by washing the dishes in the washing machine, and it shows the reader how looking at the world through someone else's eyes can really show you how different, yet the same we all are.

READER'S ANNOTATION

When Kek's family is killed during civil unrest in Sudan, he is sent to live on a refugee camp. We meet him when he moves to Minnesota in the middle of winter to stay with an aunt and a cousin who have already been relocated from the camp. They are somewhat jaded by the idea of America being a place of miracles, but Kek is still hopeful, and even though there are many differences and many hardships, there are also things to celebrate.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katherine Applegate writes mostly science fiction, fantasy and adventure novels. She is a credited author of the Animorphs series, and in 1997 she won Publisher's Weekly Best New Children's Book Series award.

GENRE

Realistic fiction

CURRICULUM TIES

Social Studies/English

Examine the use of simile and metaphor in the verses. What are some of the other literary conventions utilized in this work.

Discuss how life on a refugee camp can affect a young child. Compare the character's old life to his new life. Discuss the civil unrest in other parts of the world.

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

How would you cope if you were take from your home and your family and placed in a whole new environment where you did not speak the language or understand the ways of life? How would you be able to discern who meant you well and who meant you harm?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

12 and over

CHALLENGE ISSUES

Issues of violence from main character's past.

CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS

Know library policies. Know the book and the reasons behind acquiring it.

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

Wonderful literary work. Imagery and language is striking. Also a good example of the disconnect that a person feels when placed in a new situation.