Home of the Brave

Applegate, K. (2007). Home of the Brave. New York: Feiwel and Friends.

Readability lexile: N/A

Summary:

Kek comes from Africa where he lived with his mother, father, and brother. But only he and his mother have survived. Now she's missing, and Kek has been sent to a new home. In America, he sees snow for the first time, and feels its sting. He wonders if the people in this new place will be like the winter - cold and unkind. But slowly he makes friends: a girl named Hannah in foster care, an old woman named Lou with a rundown farm, and a sweet, sad cow he names Gol that reminds him of home. As he waits for word of word of his mother's fate, Kek weathers the tough Minnesota winter by finding warmth in his new friendships, strength in his memories, and belief in his new country.

Evaluation of the text based on Donna Norton's characteristics of high quality literature (Norton, D. (2011):

This book could be used as high quality literature, because it serves for multiple avenues of learning. For example, it does a great job of showing just how difficult it is for someone who comes from a war torn country. This book could also be used to explain how someone adapts to a new way of life. 

In the Ten Steps for Reviewing Children's Literature by Norton, I think this book addresses the story line the best. It follows a young boy and his struggle to make his way in a new country. Kek and his family in Minnesota live in poverty, but are portrayed non-stereotypical. 

Literary Elements:

1. Setting: Mainly in Minnesota. Kek does have flashbacks from time to time of Africa, also.

2. Theme: Patience and Hope. Hope is a thing only made for people, a scrap to hold onto in darkness and in light. But hope is hard work. 

3. This book is written in a poetic, free verse format. 

Mini-Lesson:

The lesson I would teach would be about hope. Kek has incredible hope that soon he will be reunited with his mother. I would instill in my students that they should never lose sight of light, when all seems to be dark. Kek never once said that he was going to give up. 

Target Audience: Grades 6-8

My personal reaction to this book was that I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did not think that I would be enjoy it based on the cover, but it goes to show you that you cannot judge a book by its cover. 

I thought the format of the book made it easier to read. Even though it was easy enough to read, it does not mean that the words were easy to digest. There were moments when reading I would have to take a minute ans digest it all.