The Home We Make by by Maham Khwaja illustrated by Daby Zainab Faidhi
This 48 page picture book follows a family as they leave their home under siege and journey to America. Through the eyes of the young girl the thread of what is home, where is home, and is it a place or a feeling weave through the emotional unknown that the family faces throughout. Even once settled the feeling of security at home is threatened, and the family must persevere. The little girl’s joy and hope that whatever comes will be faced together with her parents, keeps the book hopeful and at times even joyful. The lyrical writing is occasionally makes the book feel text heavy, but because the reflection of memories and inclusion of emotions is used in conjunction with the story moving forward, I think elementary aged children with guidance will benefit from reading and discussing the book. As a former journalist, I truly believe one can research a topic and write an accurate story or an article presenting what they learned for others to benefit from. At the same time as a lover of fiction, I enjoy OWN voice and the authenticity that it brings to the experience. So, when I read the Author’s Note at the end, and found the author is not a refugee, and that there is no named sources of the author’s friends who are refugees, in fact there are no references whatsoever, I felt deflated. It in some ways makes me uncomfortable that what looks much like a Syrian refugee story on the pages, is perhaps so mainstream, that a fictionalized account can be shared and accepted without authenticating it. No country is named in the book, the author is an immigrant so there undoubtedly is a level of OWN voice, and she disclosed she is not a refugee- truly nothing “wrong” has been done, but nonetheless I feel like I should share that here for you to decide how you feel about it before reading the book.
The book starts with rockets falling outside a family’s home while they pack essentials in the red glow. They then leave their home, and the house key behind as they start their journey. They begin walking past destroyed buildings, the girl’s school, branches that seem to not want to let them leave. They arrive at the docks, spread the same blanket they once took to the beach during happier times, and wait for the boats.
There are not enough lifejackets, but her parents make sure she gets one. As the boat bobs along, the young girl imagines astronauts in space and wonders if they too miss home. The angels in blue vests get them from the boats to the camp, where they stay and wait, while they complete paperwork and dream of finding a new home. When that day comes, the goodbye is hard, but they board a plane to America with hopes and dreams.
In America there is an apartment, help to learn the language, and reminders that they are lucky they have made it this far. But, there are also people who do not want them here, that make them feel unsafe in their new home, and the family will have to work hard to find their place and make the puzzle pieces fit.
The full illustrations bring the book to life, and compliment the text, establishing a tone that is seamless in conveying both fear and happiness on a kid appropriate level.
