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A review by dpearson5257
Finding Refuge: Real-Life Immigration Stories from Young People by Victorya Rouse
emotional
informative
slow-paced
5.0
As a rule of thumb I do not rate memoirs as they are an extension of someone’s life that they graciously shared with the world. And who are we to cast opinions about their experience.
This book is a collection of essays written by rufugees that have found a new home here in the States. I’ll first say my heart truly goes out to those who have to had to make this very hard discussion to leave their home country for whatever reason, the essays mostly start when everyone is child age, under 10. Could you imagine experiencing, death and violence at 5, or 6, or 8? Absolutely not. There were times when I could only read one story at a time because I was crying. I will never understand what it means to leave your home with only a backpack, travel across an ocean to a new home where no one looks like you, or speaks like you, or the food is so foreign, but this is your new home.
Biggest shock for me was I did not know that people live in refugee camps for 10+ years! And when they get to the States, a few of these stories didn’t start school until middle and high school but to even start school and graduate with no knowledge in the English language is just so incredibly courageous and the persistence they all have is just so heart warming! If I could give everyone of these people who write an essay I would!
The book is split into regional sections, and within each section or chapter you have a few essays of people from those countries. There’s also a page or 2 of the countries history and why people decide to leave , I thought those were really interesting, I’m not the biggest history person so it was just enough factual info for me without being too overwhelmed or taking away from the essays. I think the structure of the book was well done. And at the end there are additional resources and just some reflective questions in how to be more accepting of people in this circumstance.
4⭐️ for overall structure and information included within the book. I think you get a lot of information without it being too overwhelming and it’s a good eye opening reading experience.
This book is a collection of essays written by rufugees that have found a new home here in the States. I’ll first say my heart truly goes out to those who have to had to make this very hard discussion to leave their home country for whatever reason, the essays mostly start when everyone is child age, under 10. Could you imagine experiencing, death and violence at 5, or 6, or 8? Absolutely not. There were times when I could only read one story at a time because I was crying. I will never understand what it means to leave your home with only a backpack, travel across an ocean to a new home where no one looks like you, or speaks like you, or the food is so foreign, but this is your new home.
Biggest shock for me was I did not know that people live in refugee camps for 10+ years! And when they get to the States, a few of these stories didn’t start school until middle and high school but to even start school and graduate with no knowledge in the English language is just so incredibly courageous and the persistence they all have is just so heart warming! If I could give everyone of these people who write an essay I would!
The book is split into regional sections, and within each section or chapter you have a few essays of people from those countries. There’s also a page or 2 of the countries history and why people decide to leave , I thought those were really interesting, I’m not the biggest history person so it was just enough factual info for me without being too overwhelmed or taking away from the essays. I think the structure of the book was well done. And at the end there are additional resources and just some reflective questions in how to be more accepting of people in this circumstance.
4⭐️ for overall structure and information included within the book. I think you get a lot of information without it being too overwhelming and it’s a good eye opening reading experience.