Through My Eyes

by Tammy Wilson

After being caught in Somalia's horrific civil war, Zamzam escapes with her mother, sister, and brothers to America. But when she arrives, she learns that she has to deal with biases and stereotyping she isn't prepared to handle. Zamzam dreams of making a difference in this world, and she wants to be seen as a person who has value.

Through My Eyes is a story of compassion, empathy, and the importance of eliminating stereotypes to promote social justice. Join eleven-year-old Zamzam as she navigates her way through her new country while embracing her Somali values.

Genres: Realistic Fiction

120 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2016

Reviews

[Felicia follum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading this book with a group of Somali girls who are learning English. It is a great book to read with them. They certainly relate and having worked with the Somali community for a couple years I can relate too.

I'm not one to pick up on spelling and grammatical errors but the book does have several.

I would certainly reccomend this to anyone interested in working with the refugee or Somali population.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a Somali girl who moves to St. Cloud, MN after escaping the Civil War in Somalia and a refugee camp in Kenya. It is an easy read and explains parts of the Somali culture well. A good first book when learning about Somalia and the immigrants from there. It also addresses friendship and bullying.

[Donna Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through My Eyes is a fictional story about by a sixth grade Somali refugee girl who encounters the universal struggles of bias, prejudice, and social injustice because she looks and behaves differently from her St. Cloud, Minnesota classmates. The author, an elementary principal in St. Cloud, experienced first hand the need to create empathy between the high population of Somalis in Minnesota and her American students. This book successfully creates understanding for students as well as adults. I am now more aware of the struggles of refugee children who carry the past of famine, great loss, and the trauma of wartime bombing into a U.S. classroom of strange rules, kids with white skin, peers who bully out of fear and ignorance, and a frustrating language barrier.

[Beki Eikum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful and short story of an 11-year-old Somalian refugee who survived a civil war and is trying to make St Cloud, MN her home. Written by an elementary school principal who wanted her school to have material that related directly to her students. She did a decent job collecting and retelling stories from her local Somali community. I would like to read something actually written by an MN-dwelling Somali refugee too. Especially one living in the twin cities or close suburbs.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

In plain language, the reader can see what it is like to be a refuge. Most of us are lucky enough to not experience it but others are not.

[Karen Oldham · Rating 4 out of 5]

rn as well.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All schools with African students in 5th-8th grades should read this book aloud. Touches on culture, racism, sexism and the immigrant experience from a sixth grader’s perspective.

[Benjamin Ellefson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through My Eyes is a wonderful story about a young girl from Somalia who is forced to move to the United States after her village is bombed in a civil war. Her journey is filled with struggles from learning a new language and culture to finding friends and dealing with bullies.

This heart-warming book is a must read for all children ages 8 to 12.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. It got a little "poor me" at the end but I believe helped the reader see the world from the young girls perspective.

The art work in the book was beautifully done by a local St. Cloud area artist...Jill Dubbeldee Kuhn

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Aberdeen Reads 2017 pick and it's an easy read for the entire family. A entertaining and informative read that breaks down stereotypes of refugees. Please read this book! No matter how evolved you think you are....you need to read this book.