*Home of the Brave is a 2007 Cybils Middle Grade Fiction nomine*
Katherine Applegate is also known as KA Applegate, creator of the Animorphs series (and writer of many of them, though quite a few were ghostwritten). I loved these books when I was younger, and even today, though I realize they’re far from being great literature, I still enjoy rereading my favorites. I still feel like I know the characters!
However, I wasn’t sure how great the writing would be in HOME OF THE BRAVE. Because, well, as exciting as the Animorphs books are to a nine-year-old, they’re not really very well-written. I was also unsure because HOME OF THE BRAVE is, to my knowledge, totally unlike anything Applegate has written before. It’s her first stand-alone novel, for one thing. It’s also a verse novel, something that can be hard to master. And it’s not sci-fi (thought I think she’s written other non-sci-fi books before, just nothing I’ve ever read).
This novel is told from the point of view of Kek, a young boy who comes alone to America from his home in Sudan, having lost his father and brother, not knowing where his mother is, to live with his aunt and older cousin. Possibly in Minnesota. I’m not sure. It sounds like Minnesota, there’s lots of snow and it’s really cold, and one character in the book mentions being from Minneapolis and having a brother who lives in St. Paul. Also, aren’t there a lot of African immigrants in that area? I think I read a magazine article about it. Someone, please, correct me if I’m wrong.
Anyway, Kek is quite obviously not used to life in America. His life at first was in a village in Sudan, with his family and his cattle and freedom. Then, the men with guns came and killed many people, but Kek and his mother got away and went to a refugee camp. Before he came to the US, though, he got separated from his mother. He doesn’t know where she is, or even if she’s alive. Kek is an eternal optimist, though.
Kek struggles to adapt to life in America–to school, where he is in an ESL class with kids from all over the world. To dishwashers, blue jeans, grocery stores, and other such things we take for granted. To speaking a new language. Luckily, though, he’s not alone. Kek has his aunt and Ganwar, a new friend named Hannah, the man from the Refugee Resettlement Center named Dave, and an old woman named Louise who lets Kek look after her cow, whom he names Gol, the word in his native language for family.
Wow, just, wow. I mentioned my lack of expectations for this book, but it totally blew me away. The verse is simple and powerful, told in first person through Kek’s eyes. The characters are wonderful. HOME OF THE BRAVE is a moving, amazingly well-written novel detailing a young boy’s struggles to adapt to life in a new country, an important topic. Kids need to understand this, with so many people from all over the world coming to America all the time. It’s a glimpse into the reality of that struggle, one we need. We come into contact with new immigrants all the time, and a better understanding of what they’re going through would be beneficial for anyone, but it’s something that kids in particular may not understand.
It’s also worth mentioning that HOME OF THE BRAVE is published by Feiwel and Friends, a relatively new imprint of Holtzbrink Publishers, and they’ve done a fantastic job with this book. I’ve got a couple of their other titles waiting to be read when I’m done with the Cybils, too.
In short, if you have any interest at all (and you should), I urge you to read this book! It’s amazing, nothing short of fantastic.
December 23, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Home of the Brave really surprised me too; it blew me away.
January 12, 2008 at 7:27 pm
[…] Book list)79. Megan (Best of 2007)80. 3M (Top 20 of ’07)81. Jocelyn (2007 Favorites)82. Jocelyn (Home of the Brave)83. Writer2b84. Writer2b (Decades 08 List)85. Writer2b (Celebrate the Author)86. Chumley (Hullabaloo […]
January 16, 2008 at 7:46 pm
I haven’t seen any criticisms of this book about a Sudanese immigrant child/family being written by a caucasian – but I think Applegate did a WONDERFUL job – and I love the idea of a children’s novel having a cow as one of the main characters! I come from a dairy farm tradition.
This book is heart-wrenching and I nearly cried listening to it. One of those sad and happy books you can’t wait to finish, but also want to go on forever.
January 22, 2008 at 7:20 pm
[…] experiences, fiction, questions | A comment on my review of Katherine Applegate’s Home of the Brave really made me think. Kathy Teufel said, “I haven’t seen any criticisms of this book about […]
March 21, 2008 at 5:57 am
I loved this book and was thrilled to see that it just won a CBWI award for fiction this week! In my interview with Applegate, she talked about her inspiration for this book. Very fascinating.
October 31, 2008 at 4:34 pm
i love this book!
i loved how it told about the struggles he had, but it was still funny how he put the dishes in the washer and all.
January 26, 2009 at 4:28 pm
i think that the book was ver interesting.
i have never read a free-verse book, but when i read Home of the Brave, i have been looking for a good book thats also in free-verse
May 4, 2009 at 1:07 pm
This book was terrific. It brought up so any issues: war, genocide, fitting in, etc. Kek’s life makes me look at how lucky we are in this country – and how spoiled.
September 20, 2009 at 7:36 pm
This book is crap, absoulte crap
September 28, 2009 at 11:15 pm
u r right
November 3, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I completely disagree!
March 20, 2010 at 2:09 pm
i also disagree
July 12, 2010 at 10:52 am
i think u should keep all mean coments to yourself some people enjoy such GOOD BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17, 2011 at 2:24 pm
u r crap!
April 17, 2011 at 2:28 pm
jk ur not but i got mad u insulted my fav book
December 2, 2013 at 8:40 pm
YOUR CRAP BITCH
January 2, 2014 at 2:19 am
I guess that you have nothing to say that why ,if you are having trouble do not mix hunger
September 22, 2009 at 5:30 pm
For me, this novel was beautifully written, poetic and maintained a consistent and sympathetic point of view. It is actually a book of poetry and yet very accessible and the character develops and grows through the course of story. I think it is well worth an adult book group discussion.
I think if someone things a book is “crap” they are obligated to discuss reasons. Name-calling comments should not be published.
October 29, 2009 at 6:37 pm
This book was beautiful, but for a kid, no BORING! I mean it is nomenie for Rebecca Caudill award which is a kids program, obviouly some kids like it so I would not call it crap! This book is not for everybody!
November 14, 2009 at 6:41 pm
This book just blew me away. It gives you the chance to experience an immigrants beginning. Its something kids will think about. Its obviously for children, but me and a couple of my friends just adore it.
December 2, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Good book
March 21, 2010 at 6:08 pm
i noe rite it is a very goooood book
December 6, 2009 at 11:41 am
i like this book, it shows that start a new life is hard. i’m from Cambodia, and i came to Minnesota in July 6. it’s hard for my family. i was tired when i first studied here, very different. i hope American kids understand me, but it seems they don’t.
January 12, 2010 at 4:54 am
[…] social studies unit on migration. We started talking about migration a little bit by reading “Home Of The Brave” for our read aloud in class. First thing we did was learn some words that have things to do with […]
January 25, 2010 at 7:52 pm
it was amazing… im speechless
March 8, 2010 at 5:24 pm
It was a very good book
March 8, 2010 at 5:29 pm
why they make book about me
August 5, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Moooo! (cuz they felt like it!)
March 20, 2010 at 2:19 pm
this book is a very good book. it really tells how a person can go through such difficulties and how he lost his family its really sad. we all should learn from this and we should also be very thankful that we have our parents. we should also learn from those people that dont have their parents.
January 2, 2014 at 2:06 am
I do agree with you because we might
have a second chance but some people just don’t.
April 1, 2010 at 11:54 am
it is a good book but this book has some much figurative languge
April 5, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Badddddddd book
April 5, 2010 at 5:24 pm
25 Responses to “Review: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate”
this is wrong this is the 22
July 12, 2010 at 10:54 am
very GOOD BOOK!!!!!!
July 12, 2010 at 10:55 am
AWSOME BOOK!!!!!!!!
July 28, 2010 at 7:58 am
Love this book—looking for ways to incorporate this into my classroom–
August 5, 2010 at 2:43 pm
I have to make a summary for this book to school.
October 7, 2010 at 2:43 pm
This is a relly good book that’s not difficult at all to understand. This book keep’s you interested and don’t let you blank out. Kek in the book is very special in a good way i’d say. He don’t know alot but he learn’s alot as he goes. He’s a very smart id actully.
I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT. (:
December 20, 2010 at 10:13 pm
this book i read for class. It was interesting to see the point of view of Ek coming to America. He was really funny and willing to learn. I liked this book because it is written simple but anyone can read it because it shows an amzing experience.
January 21, 2011 at 10:01 am
I Totally love this book! it is a attention grabber and an eye opener….i believe that everyone should read this book. If u c this book pick it up,pls! you will like it
March 31, 2011 at 9:46 am
amazing book
April 4, 2011 at 7:14 pm
I’m reading it
April 11, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Im a kid and at first i thought this book would be boring but after i read it, i was like omg! this such a good book it completly blew me away and i felt that i learned a lot of valuable lessons from this book(:
August 12, 2011 at 12:49 pm
felt the same way
January 2, 2014 at 2:10 am
I know right first I though that it will be about some poems but when I finish to read it awesome
April 21, 2011 at 6:44 pm
shit!
April 22, 2011 at 8:04 pm
sexy
April 23, 2011 at 6:32 pm
who wants to have sex?
April 25, 2011 at 4:48 pm
im ready for sex,
April 28, 2011 at 6:56 pm
your cool
December 6, 2011 at 6:06 pm
that is nasty
December 6, 2011 at 5:39 pm
man i love thiz book b/c it is good and it has a lot of action in it
December 6, 2011 at 6:05 pm
ma i love thiz book it is 1 of the bestest bookz i have ever read :)
January 27, 2012 at 7:14 am
barnprodukter…
[…]Review: Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate « Teen Book Review[…]…
August 28, 2013 at 12:59 pm
what is home of the brave about
September 4, 2013 at 8:38 pm
WHOEVER DOESN’T LIKE HOME OF THE BRAVE IS A SICK MONSTER WHO NEEDS TO BE PUNCHED IN THE FACE. THE BOOK WAS REALLY GOOD.
September 4, 2013 at 9:34 pm
this book is fucked up and is such shit. This stupid negro; Kek is fucking delusional and a narcissist who can’t fucking understand the U.S. I for one am glad his stinky black father and negroish brother died. I wish his Mother had died too; I mean Negroes are only made to play Basketball and to get in fights. I would’ve fucking shot that black-ass Kek in the head; he can’t fucking talk; that dumb ass.
September 4, 2013 at 9:35 pm
I agree; fucking negroes these days; who do they think they are? Theyre all inferior and should be our slaves; like before.
January 2, 2014 at 2:12 am
we never know one day it could happen to you it not only about negro but how hard life is.
March 1, 2017 at 1:46 pm
you need to under stand what if this was your life and they wrote this book on whatever race you are you need to respect other races and you you think all black are from america then your really the dumb one here if you have not graduated good i hope you never make it if you have hope you over if you want to play like that why, life is a butty look on the bright side of life not like you who a dumb ass for righting this shit
September 4, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Kek is so fucking dark i could pant some roots in his skin caz its so fucking dirty. Heck, i think soils a lighter color.
January 2, 2014 at 2:14 am
color doesn’t matter we all have different but we all have a lot in comment.
February 8, 2017 at 6:38 pm
You are DIRTY
September 6, 2013 at 8:04 pm
I had to read this book for school, and I’ll admit, when I first opened it, I was rather unenthusiastic to see that it was written in a poetic format. However, my enthusiasm quickly returned as I began to read. By the end, I was very glad to have been forced to read this book. Otherwise, I would have missed out on an amazing piece of literature. This book sends a very powerful message in a very unique manner, and it has given me a new understanding of what really happens in this world, both inside and outside of the borders of the United States. I hope others that were reluctant to read this book will give it a try. It may not be the action/adventure novel that many (such as myself) are used to reading, but it isn’t a book to ignore either.
October 3, 2013 at 4:08 pm
WOW!!! , JUST WOW!!!! That was probably one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was awesome!! Now I’m prepared for my essay in English Class. I just am amazed at this book.
January 2, 2014 at 2:15 am
about your essay I hope u got a 100% and good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm
5579744122473442835512269372 6703240582268416 seo 51816380148176422273 company 949958852376653. 18118 seo firm 344021882320194 random 25 89227820021045715328360382585 seo company 22086222 12205229226872213922229220 1225122.93468 :(
January 2, 2014 at 2:16 am
what is all those number ? what does that mean?
January 2, 2014 at 2:17 am
we might think that we suffer more but some people in this world suffer worse than we think.
April 14, 2014 at 5:36 pm
U all can suck a big nasty shit out of my ass the book blew dick
July 28, 2016 at 10:43 am
Can anyone tell me who the antagonist is? I’m doing summer homework for honors students and I don’t know who the antagonist is? Is it the people that attacked Kek’s house?
September 15, 2016 at 4:24 pm
I love the novel
February 8, 2017 at 6:36 pm
BBE (BEST BOOK EVER)
March 1, 2017 at 1:47 pm
so true
March 1, 2017 at 1:50 pm
This book was amazing i loved it, this book got the best out of me, cause it got me to think what and where will i go without my family i never thought about such thing. It also taught me life is hard, some people have a family and others don’t you never get what you want , also this book shows that life is all you got look on the bright side you still have it not all have life to live for other kill themselves because they think there is nothing to live for you have you and if you have no family look up god is there he can always help and show you the
March 1, 2017 at 1:51 pm
way