Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga

Author: Jasmine Warga

Genre: Poetry and Verse

Recommended Ages: 8-12 (Grades 4 and up)

Summary: (Kid-friendly + spoiler-free)

Other Words for Home follows Jude, a Syrian girl who leaves her seaside hometown with her mother and moves to the United States for safety. Told entirely in verse, Jude’s story unfolds in quiet, powerful moments—adjusting to a new country, learning a new language, making new friends, and figuring out who she is in a place that feels both hopeful and overwhelming. Through heartbreak and resilience, Jude discovers that she can carry two homes in her heart at once.

My Thoughts:

Jasmine Warga has such a gift for writing stories that meet readers exactly where they are. Jude’s voice feels honest, gentle, and incredibly brave. I love how the verse format provides space—breathing room—for young readers to reflect. This is one of those books that lingers long after you close it.

As a future elementary school librarian, I appreciate how thoughtfully this book portrays the immigrant experience. Jude isn’t reduced to trauma; instead, she is vibrant, funny, observant, and full of hope. Warga shows that identity isn’t a single place or label—it’s a journey. I also love how the story makes room for the experiences of Muslim girls, including modesty, belonging, and empowerment. Stories like Other Words for Home help all readers build empathy while giving Syrian and Muslim students a beautiful mirror of representation.

This is a middle-grade novel I wish every classroom and library offered. It’s gentle enough for younger readers but deep enough to spark meaningful conversations with older ones.

Themes:

• Identity & Belonging

• Immigration & Refugee Experience

• Family & Separation

• Courage & Voice

• Cultural Identity & Pride

• Friendship & New Beginnings

• What “home” means

Why Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga is Important:

This book helps children understand that “home” isn’t lost—it expands. Jude’s journey gives young readers permission to hold conflicting feelings: homesickness, hope, fear, excitement, and pride. The story encourages empathy while highlighting the strength and joy within immigrant families. Books like this help students make sense of the world in compassionate, age-appropriate ways.

Diversity & Inclusivity: Why This Story Matters

Other Words for Home is a powerful reminder of why diverse books are essential in children’s literature. Jude’s story centers a Syrian, Muslim protagonist—an identity and perspective still underrepresented in many classrooms and libraries. When students see characters who share their cultures, languages, and lived experiences, it affirms that their stories matter. Representation is not just visibility; it’s belonging.

For students who do not share Jude’s background, this book becomes a window—one that invites understanding, empathy, and connection. Warga portrays the immigrant experience with compassion and nuance, showing that children from displaced or immigrant families are not defined solely by hardship. They are full of dreams, humor, pride, family love, and agency.

Diverse stories broaden how young readers view the world and help them recognize the humanity in cultures beyond their own. Inclusivity in literature teaches kids to approach differences with curiosity rather than judgment. It challenges stereotypes, counters misinformation, and supports a more global, compassionate way of thinking.

As a future elementary school librarian, I believe books like Other Words for Home help create a library environment where every child feels seen and valued—and where all children can learn to celebrate the rich variety of stories that make up our world.

Library Integration:

Grades 3–5

• “Home” Poetry Writing: Students write three short poems—“Where I Come From,” “Where I Am,” and “Where I Am Going.”

• Dual-Identity Discussion: Explore what it means to feel connected to more than one place or culture.

• Map Activity: Locate Jude’s hometown in Syria and discuss geography, traditions, and food in a respectful, inquisitive way.

• Character Feelings Timeline: Track Jude’s emotions over the course of the book and discuss why they change.

• Verse Novel Study: Pair with Inside Out & Back Again, Kareem Between, or The Red Pencil.

Library Programming

• World Poetry Display: Feature verse novels from around the world, including Warga, Thanhhà Lại, and Jacqueline Woodson.

• “Celebrate Our Stories” Bulletin Board: Invite students to add a sticky note sharing something they value about their culture or family.

• Read-aloud Passages: Use short, accessible poems for schoolwide or library read-aloud moments.

Librarian Reflection:

As librarians, we have the privilege of helping students see themselves—and others—through stories. Other Words for Home is a book that opens doors. It invites children to approach difference with curiosity rather than fear, and it offers validation to students who navigate multiple cultures, languages, or identities. Jude’s courage reminds us that every child carries a story we cannot see. Our role is to create spaces where those stories feel safe, welcomed, and honored.

*Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga