Description
When Saoussan immigrated with her family from war-torn Lebanon, she was only seven years old. This picture book tells the story of how she had to adjust to her new home in Canada. She describes the frustration of not understanding the teacher when she started school, not knowing how to ask to go to the bathroom, and being terrified of a Hallowe’en skeleton. This is the perfect book to help kids empathize with immigrant children whose experiences are very similar to Saoussan’s.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 5 to 8
- Grade:
- k to 3
- Reading age:
- 5 to 8
Awards
- Joint winner, Best Books for Kids & Teens, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Editorial Reviews
“FROM FAR AWAY talks beautifully about experiences of immigration from a child’s perspective. This would be a great book to add to a language arts program or simply use to educate students about immigration and life in a new language. FROM FAR AWAY can be embedded throughout the curriculum, specifically focusing on equity, citizenship and social justice.”
— Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO)
“This story remains very relevant.”
— Gathering Books, 11/27/17
“[An] ultimately hopeful real-life story.”
— Kirkus Reviews, 07/15/17
“An important story to make students empathize with the challenges newcomer children face. It can also assure newcomer children that they will learn English and adjust to a new way of life.”
— CM Reviews, 12/01/17
“More relevant today than ever.”
— Best Books for Kids and Teens, Spring/18
“The timing of this reissue is spot on . . . [recommended] for all school and public libraries.”
— Resource Links, 12/17
“[A] still-relevant refugee story, especially helpful as a conversation starter.”
— School Library Journal Xpress, 10/17
