Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Applegate, K. (2009). Home of the brave. New York: Square Fish.

Summary:

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate is a novel written in prose exploring the experiences of 12 year-old Sudanese refugee named Kek. Kek has lost almost all of his family to the violence of the Sudanese Civil War except for his mother, who he was separated from on his journey to the US. He finds himself in Minnesota with his long lost aunt and cousin attempting to navigate a new language and culture. He learns how to find a “home” in this strange land through keeping up his hope and finding friends in those around him. Written from an intimate first-person perspective, this novel allows readers to get an inside look into the confusion, frustration and thoughts of hopefulness that stem from Kek’s unique situation. While reading through this novel, we all built a strong, emotional connection to the character of Kek who served as a symbol of perseverance. Applegate hits on the struggle of a language barrier and the multiple incidences in which things became lost in translation for Kek. However, she also turns the reader’s attention to the positive shift in Kek’s perception of world and what it means to find your sense of belonging in a new and strange place.

Genre: Realistic fiction

Format: Prose novel

Content Area Connections: Home of the Brave could be connected to social studies to help students understand the way diversity has increased as a result of refugees coming to the United States. There is a current refugee crisis that students should be aware of due to its prevalence in our society, this being the Syrian refugee crisis. Social studies is all about informing children of the policies and practices that are in place in their own country. Through this information students become well informed citizens and have the power to make a change. The novel also highlights the importance of personal decisions and how they impact ones life which is a 5th grade social studies standard.

Explanation/Rationale: Home of the Brave anchors our text by introducing the themes of perseverance, identity, the power of friendship and shared experiences. Kek's character is positive throughout the novel while still addressing the hardships that a refugee may face when they arrive in another country. He is a true representation of what it looks like persevere. Cultural diversity is accurately represented within this book throughout Kek, Ganwar, and his aunt who are from Sudan. Aspects of their culture are highlighted within the book such as the way cattle are valued in Sudan. There is a parallel throughout Home of the Brave that compares the way people in the U.S. view cattle versus the way Sudanese people view the animals.