Home of the Brave

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate
(2007) New York: Feiwel and Friends, 249 pages
ISBN: 13 978-0-312-36765-7

Kek, a young refugee from Sudan, arrives alone in Minnesota during the winter, encountering snow, finding it unkind and giving him his first impression that “America is hard work”. Kek has come to live with his aunt and cousin; he has lost his father and brother and is not sure where his mother is. Through the story, Kek holds hope of finding his mother. From the first person point-of-view and in verse, Kek tells his story. Through impressions of Kek’s experiences, the reader learns about the contrasts between Kek’s life in Sudan and in America and his struggles to adapt.

Kek attends school as a sixth grader and is placed in a English as a Second Language class. At home and at school, he encounters challenges with understanding the English language and its meanings. Kek speaks of his new experiences with washing machines, clothing, the television and grocery stores. He gains a new friend and gets a job on farm. He struggles with mean-spirited kids and develops a relationship with his cousin.

This is a relevant story of an immigrant’s struggles in a new country. The story reads and flows simply and beautifully; the characters are poignant and the experiences are meaningful. It gives the reader a feel for the struggles that immigrants encounter as they adjust to being in a new place. This is an important topic for all of us who interact with immigrants from all over the world.

Discussion module for the book.
Educator's guide for the book.
Video book talk by the author.