Home of the Brave By Katherine Applegate

Citation:  

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

Lexile Score:  N/A

Summary:

                This book is about a boy, Kek, whose world was turned around when his family was destroyed by the wars in Africa. Kek, now on his own has traveled to America to find a better life while living with his aunt and cousin. Throughout the story Kek learns new things, conquers challenges, and is finally reunited with one he missed so much.

Evaluation:

                 Overall this story is of high quality.  The storyline gives an insight to the very-real struggles people and kids face when they move here and how challenging it really it. From being able to read this, and see the struggles Kek went through I think kids will definitely be able to better understand the struggles people go through to have a better life. I also think kids in a sense could think of Kek as a hero because he succeeded against all odds and was able to make something for himself.

                Another aspect that makes this book high quality is by the character Kek himself. Many kids who read this book are in the awkward stage in life where they are going through many changes where they feel like they don’t belong, like Kek. Students reading this book can relate and realize that they are not along and that things will get better with time. The story helps students realize that they are not alone in their struggles within.

Literary Elements:

Text: the text is written in free verse poems

Setting: Minnesota, with memories from Africa

Theme: Hope, making the best of new experiences from life changes

Mini Lesson:

                 I would have students create the “Where I’m From” poem about Home of the Brave.

First Stanza:

I am from (specific ordinary item)_________________________________________________________

from (product name)____________________and (another product name)__________________

I am from the (home description)__________________________________________________________

Adjective that describes the above home description________________, __________________

It (tasted, sounded, looked , felt –choose one)________________________________________

I am from the (plant, flower, or natural item)________________________________________________,

the (plant, flower, or natural item)__________________________________________________

(Description of natural item)_______________________________________________________

I’m from the (family tradition)________________________and (family trait)_______________________

from (name of family member)_____________and (name of family member)________________

and (another name)________________________________

I’m from the (description of family tendency)____________________________________________ and

(Another family tendency)_______________________________________________________

Second Stanza….turn over

From (something you were told as a child)______________________________________________ and

(another thing you were told as a child)_____________________________________________

I’m from (representation of religious or spiritual beliefs or lack of it)_____________________________,

(further description of spiritual beliefs)_______________________________________________

I’m from (place of birth and family ancestry)_______________________________________________,

(Two food items that represent your ancestry)________________and ______________.

From the (specific family story with a detail about a specific person)______________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

the (another detail of another family member)________________________________________.

(Location of family pictures…You pick the preposition) ________________________________________

I am from (general statement with DETAILS about who you are or where you are from)______________

______________________________________________________________________________

Age: 8 +