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BOOK REVIEW
[Homes] A young boy becomes a refugee.
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WHAT I LIKED
The quiet moments when Bakr's personality shine through break the turmoil he experiences. Homes does an amazing job showing a family's struggle to stay together and find a safe home. The family ties between Bakr and his cousins are so touching in the middle of the grenages and frantic phone calls in the middle of the night. They show how life continues through a bakery with a bright awning.
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WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
Most of my issues stemmed from the writing. Homes removed Bakr's childlike voice from most of the narrative. It discusses the importance of a place as an impromptu soccer field instead of it being a later sniper nest, but it doesn't let the reader live it. This work would have been so much more moving if they capitalized on his true emotions instead of filling in the gaps.
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There were so many DUN DUN DUUUUN!!! (Dramatic Sound Effect) moments that it took away from the overall effect. So many bad things happened. I feel awful writing a low review for a kid with these experiences. I wish those helping him made different literary choices. The message is important! Just don't expect the writing to blow you away.
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Homes: A Refugee Story (by Abu Bakr al Rabeeah, Winnie Yeung) ⚡️⚡️2/5
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