After her first period, Jude’s mother folds the beautiful scarf known as the hijab and places it on her head. While all this is going on, her body changes. There is also the constant panic that her brother will be captured and executed by the government forces. Jude becomes bewildered as she tries to learn English and fit into American society, while still missing Syria and the Arabic language. Jude’s 13-year-old cousin likes posh things and doesn’t understand her cousin’s old-world ways. Her uncle is a rich physician and is married to a sophisticated American. Though Jude has studied English, the customs in the United States befuddle her. To save his wife and daughter from the disaster, Jude’s father sends them to his brother-in-law in Cincinnati. Soon everyone is forced to take sides: do you support the government or the opposition? The choice is dangerous because those opposing your decision may assault you. The government orders military attacks on the protesters. These confrontations quickly lead to a full-scale revolt. The Assad family has ruled Syria for decades and is beginning to be challenged by university students aware of the injustices within the Assad-ruled nation. Her older brother Issa becomes involved in the developing revolution in Syria. Her family is middle class and she is surrounded by love. Jude is a 12-year-old girl living in a seaside town in Syria. We see one family making a number of choices that will become life-altering.

Should they join one of the sides in battle? Should they try to immigrate and escape the civil wars? Jasmine Warga’s book, “Other Words for Home,” tries to answer some of these questions. The resulting destruction creates a chaotic problem for civilians.

Sides change and former allies start warring against each other. But since many of these conflicts are turning into civil and religious wars, the lines are increasingly blurred. Many countries, including the United States, have been involved in Mideast military battles. Throughout the Mideast, for example, numerous countries have been engaged in violent wars. Many things have contributed to these problems, but the direct consequences are easy to see. Harper and Collins Publishers, New York, 2019, 342 pages, Grades 4-7.

Other words for home warga