Teenage Refugees from Rwanda Speak Out (In Their Own Voices)

ISBN 10: 0823924432 / ISBN 13: 9780823924431

Published by Rosen Pub Group

About this Item

A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dust cover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or limited small stickers. Book may have a remainder mark or be a price cutter.

Seller Inventory # B-04-01-02-0744

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Teenage Refugees from Rwanda Speak Out (In Their Own Voices)
• Publisher: Rosen Pub Group
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0823924432
• ISBN 13: 9780823924431
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

Teenagers from Rwanda, both Hutu and Tutsi, describe the conditions in their war-torn country that led them to seek safety and new lives in the United States and Canada.

Reviews

Gr 5 Up--Teenagers fleeing from Ethiopia and Rwanda relate how they came to be refugees in the United States and Canada. Each title begins with a brief historical survey, followed by profiles of eight young people, each in a separate chapter. The terrible conditions that forced them to leave their homeland; the dangers faced during the actual escapes; and the current challenges they meet in overcoming the language barrier and adjusting to life in an alien culture are all discussed. As one young refugee explains, "They [American kids] called me names because I couldn't understand English. They destroyed my books and made fun of me." Over a dozen black-and-white and a few color photographs accompany the text. About half consist of snapshots of the refugees. While it is admirable that these clearly written books afford young refugees a means of expressing their sadness and frustrations at being displaced, the historical background the introductions provide is superficial and misleading. Specifically, the texts omit information on the role played by Western powers in the gradual destruction of African societies through slavery, colonialism, neocolonialism, exploitation of natural resources, and imperialism. All things considered, these titles do not provide a thorough historical background of these countries and do not deal honestly with the issues facing the young exiles. Readers deserve a more truthful account of these tragic events than these bland titles can provide.

Gebregeorgis Yohannes, San Francisco Public Library, CA

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