Reviews

An enjoyable one

This book is written with poem-like style and it's soooo beautiful. The fact that this is written from Jude's perspective, which is a middle grade kid, makes this book have that simple vibe yet there are so many lines that will surely touch your deepest heart.

The aching feeling is also there since this book is about a refugee during war. What war did to families. Also the journey of Jude finding another meaning of home in America, her uncle's house, school, and friends is beautiful and heartwarming.

There's this particular scene that I love the most. It shows how Jude being proud of who she is: a muslim

“That thing that also makes me angry, as angry as it makes them. I want women like Aunt Michelle to understand that it is not only women who look like them who are free who think and care about other women. That it is possible for two things to look similar but be completely different. That I cover my head like other strong respected women have done before me, like Malala Yousafzai like Kariman Abuljadayel like my mama. That I cover my head not because I am ashamed forced or hiding. But because I am proud and want to seen as I am.”

booklover81's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

3.0

ferranda's review

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

thepetitepunk's review against another edition

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4.0

Americans love labels.
They help them know what to expect.
Sometimes, though,
I think labels stop them from
thinking.

Due to the war in her hometown in Syria, Jude is sent with her mother to live in the United States with their relatives. In her new home, Jude, a 7th grader, wrestles with what it means to be Muslim in America while also trying to stay in touch with her brother and father back in Syria.

I had to keep reminding myself that Other Words For Home is a middle grade book. It definitely is—it’s narrated by a 7th grader—but there was no sugar-coating reality for the sake of a younger audience. Jasmine Warga does an excellent job of portraying serious real-world issues through the eyes of a child while maintaining a beautiful yet simple writing style. A short read, but one that will stick with you.