OTHER WORDS FOR HOME by Jasmine Warga is a beautiful novel in verse about Jude, a 12-year old Syrian girl who flees her war torn country with her mother to live in Cincinnati, Ohio with her uncle’s family.

This is without a doubt one of my favorite books of 2019. It portrays with such honesty and empathy Jude’s struggles to acclimate to her new home and community, yet is also filled with hope and love as Jude discovers who she’s meant to be in the world. Jude’s bravery is powerful and her story is so important. This is an absolute must-read.

[Cincinnati friends: much of the story takes place in the city and Jasmine Warga is a native Cincinnatian. Although it doesn’t need additional reasons to be read, it’s an added bonus to support such a wonderful book with local ties.]

Suggested Reading Age: Grades 4-8
| Balzer + Bray | 352 pg. | May 28, 2019 |

“Hoping,

I’m starting to think,

might be the bravest thing a person can do.”