Home of The Brave

Applegate, K. (2009). Home of the Brave. N.p.: Feiwel and Friends.

Home of the Brave is a book about a refugee from Sudan named Kek. Kek gets sent to America to live with his cousin. Kek has to adjust to his new life in America. There are many challenges Kek has to face as everything is different then what he was used to in his country. Kek’s life begins to change and adjust as he meets welcoming people in his life that help him overcome the challenges of being in a new country.

This book is one that I could not put down. In fact, when I was on the last page, I was terribly sad to find out that the book was over. I was totally enthralled and wrapped up into Kek’s life. I wanted to know what Kek’s life would become. The book is excellent in describing the many situations refugees and other people who are new to America might experience when they arrive. I was able to see this book from both perspectives as I had just been to a country in Africa right next to Sudan and I could relate so well with the situations Kek talked about in his book. It was neat to be able to see the book from both sides. I’ll be sending this book to a friend of mine living in Uganda.

This book is high quality literature for absolutely sure. The book represents a diversity of people, and does not stereotype them into one set of people. The book does an accurate job of representing the life of both a refugee from Sudan and their feelings and the feelings and lives of American’s here. The African Proverbs listed between “Parts” in the book made an awesome addition to the story.

The book is written in a type of poem format. All of the book isn’t necessarily written as a poem would sound, but it makes the read a lot easier to follow along with, and easier on the eyes. The book never seems overwhelming or long. The book is great for all ages. I would say that the youngest age I’d recommend read the book would be about 3^rd grade. Younger children could read this book, but I would have an adult read it with them as there is some content that could be difficult for children to handle and understand without being explained thoroughly.

Setting: Summer, Winter, Fall, Spring – lots of times with snow, in America- country-side- then in Sudan, village

Theme: A boy adjusts to his new American home and goes through struggles to overcome, endure, and survive and be happy

Mood: Filled with excitement, laughs, sadness, joy, jubilation, and tears this book is filled with several mood changes, drawing the reader directly into the life of Kek.

Age Range- 8+ [younger with guided reading]

Classroom Discussion: I would use this book to discuss issues about being in a new place, or welcoming new people into our lives. For example, if we have new student’s in our class, how should we treat them? What times have we felt isolated or excluded? Also- I would follow-up by having children create a diorama of their own lives at home and we would talk about how everyone is different, but how can we unite together to be welcoming and loving to those around us while understanding how our differences can bring us closer together.

Lexile: Not listed- but I would rate at about 530L

Here is a poem I wrote inspired by where Kek is from.

Where Kek’s From Poem- by Courtney Dunn

I am from people the color of earth

We all share our food supplies and worth

Where one goes

Everyone else knows

I am from people brave and strong

Always carrying the weaker one along

We are a team

A village, a community

Where I’m from we love each other

Not in shiny cars or monetary measures

But with warm delighted smiles

And freshly cooked meals

I am from a people

Half dead and half strong

Sharing our regrets in tiny steeples

Helping each other get along

I am from a town

A town that’s never cold

The sunshine and heat embrace us

As rich as freshly carved gold

I am from a place

That I miss more each day

As long as I’m away

I wait for my redemptive day