When a family leaves their home to immigrate to a new country or to seek asylum, they very seldom want to leave. Don’t we all find comfort in the familiar; whether it be the familiar sights, familiar foods, friends or family? Immigrants and refugees have the same feelings, just as we do. However, those who flee war torn countries in pursuit of a safe place to live and raise a family, have no choice. They are simply choosing to survive and to be safe.

In these books we meet three characters who have left behind everything and everyone who is dear to them, when their families make the decision to travel to a new country and to find a home that is safe. The characters are brave and resourceful, but also lonely as they encounter prejudice from people who don’t have an understanding or empathy for their experiences. But happily the characters also discover friendship, kindness and acceptance from so many they encounter.

All of the stories provide windows into the lives of immigrants and refugees, which is important for both children and adults to understand. In each book you’ll witness the prejudice these children encounter, simply because of their Muslim faith. But you’ll also understand the hope the immigrants experience as they begin to feel at home in their new country. And you’ll see the kindness, acceptance and support that is shown to them by their classmates, teachers and community as they search for home.

I not only hope you’ll suggest these books to your middle grade children, but I hope you will read them as well. They will break your heart a bit, but they will also offer you hope about the kindness that is possible in our country.

The Eleventh Trade 

By Alyssa Hollingsworth

This book tells the heartbreaking story of a young Afghan refugee. Sami is living in a small apartment in Boston with his grandfather. We slowly learn of the trauma and the cruelty they endured at the hands of smugglers, in refugee camps and in confinement after fleeing from the Taliban. We learn of Sami’s strength, his fierce love for his grandfather, his struggle to understand American customs and his fear of both remembering and forgetting his past.

This is a compelling story you won’t be able to put down. It’s fast paced, with adventure, friendship and soccer. You’ll learn much about Afghan culture, customs and the Muslim faith. I loved every single character, who each in their own way, was so interesting and endearing.

I was especially encouraged by the friendships Sami makes and the kindnesses he encounters  as he valiantly tries to make the necessary trades to buy back his grandfather’s prized possession, a traditional Afgan instrument called a rebab, after it is stolen. Although Sami encounters much prejudice in his new hometown of Boston, he also finds so many who are empathic and anxious to help a young refugee.  

The Eleventh Trade is another necessary #windowsandmirrors book for today. This compelling story will captivate the reader as they gain a better understanding about what a Muslim immigrant might experience as they try to make a new home for themselves in the United States.

Nowhere Boy

By Katherine Marsh

This compelling book tells the terrifying saga of fourteen year old Ahmed and his father who flee war torn Syria. During their long, perilous journey across the sea and Europe, Ahmed’s father disappears and Ahmed is alone. He finally makes it to Brussels, but he has nowhere to live and nothing to eat. That is, until he meets Max, a thirteen year old lonely American boy, who along with his family, is spending the school year in Brussels.

In this fast paced adventure story, we experience Ahmed’s year in Brussels. We understand his yearning to go to school, to play soccer and to find friends, but we also feel his crushing sadness and grief about missing his family and his homeland. And we have a window into the loneliness and terror he constantly feels about being discovered by the police. Because there are two options for immigrants who are found: 1) being sent to live in an immigrant detention center 2) being sent back to Syria.

In this middle grade novel, which is told from both Ahmed’s and Max’s point of view, we witness the growth of the friendship between Max and Ahmed. Not only is Ahmed amazingly brave and resourceful, but the experience of helping Ahmed leads Max to gain strength and confidence in himself. It leads him to have the courage to approach his Belgium classmates to join him in helping Ahmed.

You’ll have a hard time putting this compelling book down. It’s an adventure that will make you hold your breath, but you’ll need tissues as well. You’ll be rooting for both boys to find the happy endings they are hoping for. And you’ll remember Ahmed and Max for a very long time.

Other Words for Home

By Jasmine Warga

Thank you to the author @jassiewarga for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When I received this book, I immediately noticed author, Jason Reynolds, quote on the front of the book. “This is a necessary story. We’re lucky to have it in our world.” After reading this moving MG book, I so agree.

Jude lives in Syria with her Mama, Baba and her older brother. It’s the only home she’s ever known and it’s always been a happy one. But now the fighting is getting closer and closer, her brother has moved out to join the freedom fighters and her mama is pregnant. It’s decided that she and Mama will go to America to live with her uncle’s family.  They move into her uncle’s 100 year old house on A tree lined street in Cincinnati with her uncle who is a doctor, her aunt who loves to garden and create healthy meals and her less than friendly cousin. Her aunt and uncle offer them a warm welcome, but her cousin Sarah, would rather they not be there at all.

This story, which is beautifully told in verse, offers a true glimpse into the world of an immigrant. You see the world through Jude’s eyes as she navigates the halls of her new middle school, struggles to understand the American colloquialisms she constantly hears and feels an overwhelming loneliness. You begin to understand the haven of the ESL classroom where she finds other kids, who like her, are doing their best to learn not only English but also the customs of American preteens. And as the weeks and months pass by, you understand Jude’s confusion when she feels not only love for her new home, but also an aching yearning for the people and world she left behind.

This is such an important #windowsandmirrors book, not only for MG students, but for ALL of us. It is one that needs to be on the shelf of every elementary and middle school library. PLEASE add it to your order list, right now! It will be released 5.7.19.

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More about Susan

Hi! I'm Susan, a wife, a mom and a recently retired elementary school librarian with 22 years of experience. One of my greatest joys is to connect kids with a perfect book, which then leads them to a lifelong love of learning. Through my blog, I'm hoping to reach parents, their children and teachers to help them find those special books. I’m also hoping to offer some tips and techniques to use with your children as you read aloud.