Faraway Home

Kurtz, J. (2000). Faraway Home. Illustrated by: E. B. Lewis. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt, Inc.

Brief Annotation: This story is about Desta’s father who is headed to his home in Ethiopia to visit his sick mother. Desta has never known anything but America, so when her dad talks about his home growing up, Desta is confused and full of questions. Desta is scared that her father will want to stay where he grew up and not come back to the home she only knows. Instead Desta’s father uses this opportunity to talk about where he grew up and why it is so important to him.

Genre: Concept book

Grade Level: Pre K-4

Readers who will like this: Readers who enjoy reading about another culture.

Response/Rating (1-4): 4. Great story with beautifully done water color illustrations. This book would be a great addition to anyone’s library.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What do you think it would be like to live in Ethiopia?

Reading Strategies Connection: Sketch-to-Stretch ( Tompkins, p. 111). This visual activity will help students think more deeply about the story. The students can pick from one of the stories Desta’s father had told her and draw a picture of what they imagine the scene to look like. Students will learn that a story can have multiple interpretations.