Other Words for Home

Jasmine Warga’s 2019 Other Words for Home is a middle grade novel in verse. Narrated by a 12-year-old Syrian girl, the novel is both a coming-of-age story and a work that explores the refugee experience in America. Other Words for Home earned a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, and ALA Booklist and was a Newbery Honor Book. This guide refers to the 2019 Balzer + Bray edition.

Plot Summary

In Part 1, “Changing,” soon-to-be seventh grader Jude lives in a Syrian city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Tourism is crucial to the economy of the city and to the families that live there, including Jude’s; her father owns a small store that caters to tourists with snacks and magazines. Jude knows that rebellion and violence from militant groups affect other parts of Syria, like the war-torn city of Aleppo; her own beloved brother Issa supports democratic reform and therefore disagrees with their father’s support of the Syrian president. Jude just wants her family to be safe and at peace. After a protest near their city suggests that violence may be headed their way, Jude’s parents decide that Mama, who is pregnant, will take Jude for a stay in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mama’s brother Mazin lives. Jude must say goodbye to Issa, Baba, and her best friend Fatima without knowing when they might all be together again.

In Part 2, “Arriving,” Jude meets her Uncle Mazin, Aunt Michelle, and cousin Sarah. Sarah is aloof with Jude. Aunt Michelle introduces Jude to shopping and restaurants. Jude sees many forms of wealth and opulence in America, but she also sees the homeless and unfortunate.

Part 3, “Staying,” takes Jude from the first day of seventh grade to Thanksgiving break. She finds it difficult to follow teachers and lessons, but she enjoys her English as a Second Language class. Sarah remains somewhat distant, jealous over Jude’s connection to her (Sarah’s) father. Jude also meets Layla, an eighth-grade girl whose parents emigrated from Lebanon, and they become good friends. An announcement about tryouts for the school musical catches Jude’s attention. Back home, Issa moves from their city toward Aleppo to fight for freedom.

In Part 4, “Hoping,” Jude yearns for word from Fatima, who has not replied to Jude’s letters; later she discovers that Mama never sent her letters because Fatima’s family left Syria for an unknown location. Jude goes sledding with Sarah and Sarah’s friends as arranged by Aunt Michelle, and she tells them of her plans to audition for the musical. Layla warns her against trying out, attempting to convince Jude that they should stay backstage and work on sets. Jude auditions anyway, performing a song that Issa used to sing and a monologue from the film Notting Hill. She gets her first period after the auditions but before the cast announcement. She also unpacks and begins wearing the headscarves she brought with her to America.

In Part 5, “Growing,” Jude is cast as Plumette in Beauty and the Beast and begins rehearsals, meeting new peers like Miles, a quiet boy in her Pre-Algebra class. An Islamic extremist attack in an American city brings new conflicts: A stranger tells Jude to go back to her country, and unknown vandals spray paint a hate message on Layla’s parents’ restaurant. Jude’s mother organizes a benefit at the local mosque for Layla’s family. Sarah expresses sympathy for Layla, showing Jude that acceptance can come from education and open-mindedness.

In Part 6, “Living,” Jude’s baby sister Amal is born. Jude receives a letter from Fatima and a call from Issa, reassuring her of their safety and well-being. The rehearsals conclude, and Jude steps onto stage on opening night ready for the next part of her journey.