This memoir by a refugee from Sudan tells of the wonder—and disappointment—that he faced as he began to experience life in the strange place called America.Nineteen-year-old refugee Alephonsion Deng, from war-ravaged Sudan, had great expectations when he arrived in America three weeks before two airlines crashed into the World Trade Towers. Money, he’d been told, was given to you in pillows. … pillows. Machines did all the work. Education was free.
Suburban mom Judy Bernstein had her own assumptions. The teenaged “Lost Boys of Sudan”—who’d traveled barefoot and starving for a thousand miles—needed a little mothering and a change of scenery: a trip to the zoo, perhaps, or maybe the beach.
Partnered through a mentoring program in San Diego, these two individuals from opposite sides of the world began an eye-opening journey that radically altered each other’s vision and life.
Disturbed in Their Nests recounts the first year of this heartwarming partnership; the initial misunderstandings, the growing trust, and, ultimately, their lasting friendship. Their contrasting points of view provide of-the-moment insight into what refugees face when torn from their own cultures and thrust into entirely foreign ones.
Alepho struggles to understand the fast-paced, supersized way of life in America. He lands a job, but later is viciously beaten. Will he ever escape violence and hatred?
Judy faces her own struggles: Alepho and his fellow refugees need jobs, education, housing, and healthcare. Why does she feel so compelled and how much support should she provide?
The migrant crises in the Middle East, Central America, Europe, and Africa, have put refugees in the headlines. Countless human tragedies are reduced to mere numbers. Personal stories such as Alepho’s add a face to the news and lead to greater understanding of the strangers among us. Readers experience Alepho’s discomfort, fears, and triumphs in a way that a newscast can’t convey. This timely and inspiring personal account will make readers laugh, cry, and examine their own place in the world.
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Enlightening re: our global community
True look at refuges.
Beautiful story of human struggles
Very interesting to see how the guys were learning how to adapt to a Western Culture while having to physically be accepted. Being so tall, thin and dark – even from our African Americans was a level they had to deal with – and it appears they did it very well. The hostess was very generous with her time and energy and that is admirable. Thankfully she was in a financial situation to be able to do this and did so in a great way.
This book was an incredible eye opener for me. The alternating chapters-one by the mentor, and one by the boy from Sudan- was very effective in showing the struggle faced by both parties in learning to survive and understand each other. I highly recommend this book.
Good look into the problems facing African immigrants
This book is the second is a series and is a powerful memoir and testament to human strength and courage.
The narrative moves between the perspectives of a mentor and one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan” she helped make the adjustment to the U.S., giving insights into the challenges both parties faced. Well worth reading.
It opened my eyes to a part of the world I knew nothing about, and the assimilation process of the immigrants who arrive here. And it showed very clearly that one individual can make a difference in peoples’ lives.
Gives one a lot to think about in the way that we perceive others who come from a culture totally different from ours. A story (real life) about three lost boys from Sudan in the early 2000-2003 and the difficulties they experienced trying to fit in the American way of life. I finished the book a couple of days ago and it still has me thinking.
A wonderful book from the viewpoint of several new immigrants to the United States, the experiences they went through in their own country and then the adjustment to what life is like over here. Their Mentor in San Diego also authors this book, so you read her experience of helping these young men adjust to a totally different life than they had known. Reading this may promises greater understanding for those coming to America and to those who live here already.
Love this refugee story. It let’s you look at America in a whole new light, through the eyes of the Lost Boys of Sudan. It’s an inspirational, thought provoking and maybe life changing read. Highly recommend!
Should be required reading for all humans. Their first book, THEY POURED FIRE ON US FROM THE SKY, and L.A. Times Bestseller, was required reading for some high school students. This one’s even better.
Fans of BORN A CRIME by Trevor Noah will especially appreciate this unique memoir — told in alternating points of view from two people whose worlds could not be more different.
Enlightening and entertaining, I think of my favorite quote on writing: “The two most engaging powers of an author are to make new things familiar and familiar things new.” (Samuel Johnson) Much that’s familiar to Judy (and me) is new to Alepho – the ocean, how to cross the street, escalators… but their mutual respect and curiosity allows them both to learn and grow.
Heartbreaking and hopeful, I consider this a must read for all of us as a lesson in how to get along with humans (even those from completely different parts of this planet). The authors help us see where we assume and take for granted what’s involved in even the smallest of gestures – like eye contact.
Bringing to mind one last quote (attributed to Marcel Proust): “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new sights, but in looking with new eyes.”
Thanks Alepho and Judy, for this beautiful book, and new eyes.