Oh Give Me a Home
Oh Give Me a Home by Jane Kurtz, published by Catalyst Press on June 17, 2025, is a 240-page work that presents a unique perspective on identity and belonging. Through verse, the book narrates the journey of a girl from Ethiopia as she navigates her feelings about moving to America. The story captures her reflections on her life in Ethiopia, filled with vibrant imagery of her surroundings, and contrasts it with her experiences in a new environment.
Readers will find a thoughtful exploration of family life and the challenges of growing up in a multicultural context. As Jane grapples with the question of where she truly belongs, she encounters the complexities of friendship and cultural identity. The narrative intertwines elements of travel and personal discovery, inviting readers to reflect on their own notions of home and belonging. This edition is presented in English and is suitable for those interested in children’s literature that addresses themes of family and identity.
Official synopsis Publisher
From Author Jane Kurtz, winner of the School Library Journal Best Of The Year and numerous other awards.
In verse, Oh Give Me a Home relates the story of a girl’s inside-out view of America as she journeys from Ethiopia, searches for friends and belonging.
Kirkus Starred Review
Booklist Starred Review
Selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Book.
In elementary school, Jane knows that Maji, Ethiopia, cool and green, perched on a mountainside of waterfalls and monkeys, is the perfect place to live. Or it would be perfect if she had a pet or a best friend.
Jane is full of ideas that include schemes for an animal to play with. A real pet, not the dik dik that dies, the monkey that tries to bite her fingers, nor the elusive cat that lives in the shed and has just absconded with her litter of kittens. But her plans are derailed as Jane learns she is to move back to America with her family.
America and Africa collide as Jane tries to answer the simple question, “Where am I from?” Entering grade school in suburban America for the first time, will she find a best friend a continent away from her real life in Africa? Or is America-where she meets her relatives for laughter and frolicking and big holiday meals-her real home?
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