New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor Book!A gorgeously written, hopeful middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who must leave Syria to move to the United States, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Aisha Saeed.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 … 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.
But this life also brings unexpected surprises—there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is.
This lyrical, life-affirming story is about losing and finding home and, most importantly, finding yourself.
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Through Jude’s eyes readers see firsthand what it is to leave behind one’s beloved home and family as many refugees do every single day. Young readers will laugh with Jude, cry with her, and root for her every step of the way. A beautiful, powerful, and necessary book.
This is one of those stories that should be required reading. It is essential. This story is about Jude who leaves Syria to America. We see what she has to leave behind, the labels applied to her in America because of where she’s from, how she dresses, her religion, and culture. The things she must deal with in America breaks my heart that people feel such a hatred for people different from them. To be threatened by everything that makes you you makes me want to cry. What an eye opening read.
Read 11.18.2021
This was so much more than what I expected – a simply gorgeous story of a young girl uprooted from all she knows in Syria and plopped down in America to have a better [and safer life], the story is very good at explaining what happens when one has to change everything they have ever known. So well done.
A must for all middle school students. A must for families to read together.
I read along as I listened to the audiobook and it was phenomenal. I was able to become immersed into the lives of Jude and her family. I loved the fact that Cincinnati was the city they immigrated to as it is like a second home to me. I was able to picture where she moved.
This book will make you look deep inside yourself as an adult and think how you react to immigrants you see on the street. Are you friendly? Is your face friendly towards them? It will make you think about how the children in our lives pick up on how they think they should act by watching and listening to us.
A book perfect for the current situation happening now.
Book 168 towards my goal of 290! 4/5 stars for this middle grade contemporary! A sweet story about a Sirian girl moving to America and just trying to figure out who she is, and who she wants to be. Loved the characters. Loved the storyline, and the close family connections. Love the cover. Highly recommend!
Incredible. So hard hitting and really makes you take a look at the people around you, and wonder what their stories are. I really felt for Jude and everything she was going through, and it was definitely eye opening to experience what coming to America was like for her. It’s amazing how much is taken for granted when you grow up in the middle of it all. Definitely recommend.
4.5 A powerful, unique middle grade following young Jude as she leaves her home for the first time and moves to America. It’s a coming of age story of a girl trying to find her identity in a new strange land. It’s extremely heartbreaking and slightly hopeful at the same time.
This was a good book, written in verse. I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this book!
Important story, gorgeous writing. A must-read!
Wow, this is the second time I’ve read this book and I loved it every time. Written in prose, this is a story of a young, Muslim immigrant who travels to America for the first time with her pregnant Mom. They are from Syria, which has always been home to Jude. She struggles to leave behind her past world and accept the new, crazy world in America.
Breathtaking novel in verse that speaks of culture and identity. So timely and important to read for all ages.
This is a necessary story. We’re lucky to have it in the world.