Other Words for Home: A Newbery Honor Award Winner―A Middle Eastern Girl's Immigration Story in Verse
About this product
New York Times bestseller and Newbery Honor Book! A gorgeously written, hopeful middle grade novel in verse about a young girl who must leave Syria to move to the United States, perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Aisha Saeed. Jude never thought she’d be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US—and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” an identity she’s never known before. But this life also brings unexpected surprises—there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is. This lyrical, life-affirming story is about losing and finding home and, most importantly, finding yourself. Read more
Editor's Take
Readers and reviewers consistently describe Other Words for Home as a moving, beautifully written middle-grade verse novel about a Syrian girl adjusting to life in the United States. Review sites say the book is poignant, compassionate, and strong on themes like belonging, resilience, friendship, prejudice, and the immigrant experience.
Book review sites praise its lyrical style and emotional impact, with several calling it highly recommended or giving it top ratings. Common Sense Media highlights the story as hopeful and relatable, while other reviewers emphasize that it works well for both younger readers and adults who appreciate thoughtful middle-grade fiction.
Amazon-style reader sentiment is not directly available here, but the broader review consensus is very positive: readers value the perspective on Syria and immigration, the accessible novel-in-verse format, and Jude’s bravery. A few reviews note the heavy themes, especially war, displacement, and Islamophobia, but still frame the book as worthwhile and important.
On YouTube, search results surfaced at least one real video URL that appears to be about this book, including a reading/video titled “Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga pages 80-97”. No additional genuine YouTube watch URLs were found in the results provided.
Price History
Specifications
| Illustrated | No |
Product Details
| Publisher | Storytide |
| Publication date | April 6, 2021 |
| Edition | Reprint |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 368 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0062747819 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0062747815 |
| Item Weight | 15.2 ounces |
| Reading age | 9 - 12 years, from customers |
| Dimensions | 5 x 0.75 x 7.5 inches |
| Grade level | 3 - 7 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #10,302 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #4 in Children's Middle East Books #12 in Children's Books on Prejudice & Racism #72 in Children's Fiction on Social Situations |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (2,917) |
