book review: Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

An enthusiastic five-star book review of Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga!

Other Words for Home, a Newberry Honor book, is a beautiful novel in verse. It follows the journey of a young girl named Jude who has to leave her home in Syria and move to America with her mother. The story captures her experiences adjusting to a new culture, learning English, and dealing with the challenges of being away from her father and brother, who stayed behind in Syria. It delves into themes of identity, resilience, and belonging, making it both heartfelt and insightful.

Before beginning my book review of Other Words for Home, let’s consider an important historical note.

Other Words for Home portrays events from the early years of the Syrian Civil War. Bashar al-Assad took over the presidency from his father, Hafez, after he died in 2000. According to what I’ve read from the BBC and the New York Times, Syrians were crushed by high unemployment, corruption, and repressed political freedoms. Pro-democracy demonstrations began in 2011, and the Syrian government responded with deadly force. People called out for the president’s resignation, which perpetuated the cycle of violence and unrest. Civil war ensued, and some sources estimate over 600,000 deaths so far. About half the population has had to flee their homes, which is the case for Jude and her mother in Other Words for Home. At the time of this writing, rebel fighters stormed Damascus and claimed victory. Assad has fled the country. It is unclear what all the ramifications will be.

Although the book doesn’t focus heavily on specific dates, it reflects the instability and dangers families in Syria have faced and continue to face. Jude’s family’s decision to leave for the U.S. reflects the difficult choices many Syrians have had to make, and it hints at the ongoing conflict and its impact on everyday life.

It’s powerful how Warga keeps the focus on Jude’s personal experience. You sense the weight of the conflict without it overshadowing her own story of hope and resilience.

This is my first time reading a novel told in verse. I loved it!

Warga’s writing is lyrical, making Jude’s journey feel very personal and intimate. It’s a great read if you enjoy stories that explore cultural adjustment and finding a sense of home.

Warga really brings Jude’s voice to life. I’m amazed by how much can be conveyed in verse. The reading goes so quickly, and yet it’s filled with detail and emotion. Verse can be so powerful that way—it feels almost like you’re getting to the heart of things without any extra words. The emotions and experiences are vivid for the reader, really drawing you in.

Important themes

Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga explores several deep themes through the story of Jude, a young Syrian refugee, as she navigates life in the United States after being uprooted from her home.

Identity and belonging

Jude struggles with her sense of identity as she moves from Syria to the United States. She feels torn between the person she was in Syria and the person she is becoming in a new country. Her journey is about finding a place where she truly belongs while reconciling her past with her present.

Home and displacement

The idea of “home” is central to the novel. Jude’s Syrian home is no longer safe, but she holds onto memories of her old life. As she tries to feel at home in the US, she wrestles with the concept of what it means to have a home when your senses of security and familiarity have been shattered.

Family and relationships

Jude’s relationships with her family, particularly her father and brother, play a crucial role. She deals with the challenges of living apart from them and adapting to the changes in their roles in the family due to the upheaval of their lives.

Hope and resilience

Throughout the story, Jude exhibits resilience in the face of adversity. Her hope for a better future despite the difficulties she faces as a refugee is a driving force in the narrative. She learns to adapt, grow, and find strength amid hardship.

Cultural differences and acceptance

As Jude adjusts to life in America, she confronts issues of cultural differences, racism, and the challenges of being an outsider. Her journey is about finding acceptance–not only from others but also within herself–as she learns to navigate two cultures and make peace with her new life.

Loss and grief

Jude deals with the grief of leaving her home and the trauma of living through the war in Syria. This theme is explored through her emotional journey and the ways in which she tries to heal while processing the loss of everything she knew and her fears for her loved ones left behind.

These themes are woven together in a beautiful, heartfelt narrative, making Other Words for Home a moving story about courage, adaptation, and the search for belonging.

A reason why this book resonates with me so much

A teacher friend of mine worked in the “welcome room” for a group of Afghan refugee girls whose families had relocated to our town. She taught English, reading, basic mathematics, and orienting to life here. I served as her assistant for several weeks. Those girls amazed me. They ranged in age from about eight to seventeen and had never been to school before. They had experienced a lot of scary things, and yet they were loving, playful, eager to learn, proud of their heritage, resilient, and so incredibly strong. I learned more from them than they did from me. It was a joy to know them and be their friend. Because of this amazing experience, my heart softens at reading Jude’s story in Other Words for Home. Her character exuded the same warmth and determination I found in that special group of Afghan girls.

I’ve enjoyed preparing this book review of Other Words for Home. Are there other books written in verse that you would recommend?

This book serves as a reminder that connecting with displaced individuals helps us see their humanity and recognize the common threads that bind us all. Everyone, no matter their background or situation, shares fundamental experiences, hopes, and dreams. I strongly recommend it for all ages!

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Fondly,

Crysti