I enjoyed the honest depiction and truth found in Saoussan Askar's culture shock and coping with the change that took place for her. It's a good conversation starter for introducing other points of view to elementary age children.

This story was originally published in 1995 and illustrated by Michael Martchenko. This re-release has been illustrated by Rebecca Green.

This is a timely story with all the immigrants and refugees that have moved to North America over the past 10 years or so. It tells realistically about the fears and struggles of seven year old Saoussan Askar a refugee from Lebanon. She wrote a letter to Robert Munsch about her move and transition to Canada and together they wrote this story. It shows ways that others made her feel welcome and is a model to our young children today. The illustrations show how the classroom population is diverse in ethnicity as well as including a child in a wheelchair. A wonderful story to share with young people today.

This story of immigration is told from the perspective of a small girl using simple language which other small children will easily understand. Though the concept of being a victim of war and circumstance, similar to a refugee, is not a common theme in picture books, the author's autobiographic account allow for an emotional connection between the character in the book and the reader.

The universal struggles the girl faces including isolation and loneliness, regardless of age or background, making this a story with a wide range of appeal across many reader populations.

Pub: 8/8/17
Like: Art, smooth transition, imagery of dark skin woman on cover, showing difficulties that a kid who is not from America would deal with (skeleton)

This is the true story of a little girl coming to a new world. Her new world does not have bombs and guns going off, but it does have strange languages, and scary paper skeleton. I love how this books makes being new easy for others to understand. It does not try to talk down to the kids it’s meant for, or be too complicated for them to understand. It is a true tale every one should read.

Author Saoussan Askar was just a child when this story was published in 1995, but it's a powerful message. My family is Lebanese, and the war is a difficult topic. It's hard to fit into a new place when you don't speak the language or understand the customs, but Askar shared her story to show other children that even though it's hard at first, eventually you adapt and learn and make new friends. I love her voice, and the diversity of the other people in the story. I'm always on the lookout for good books to share with my niece, and I'd definitely purchase this one for her.

Reprint: Askar wrote a letter to children's book author and illustrator. Together they turned it into this picture book that portrays the plight of refugees as they acclimatize to their new country.

This wonderful children's story provides a much needed message to Canadians about welcoming young refugees into a country unfamiliar to them, promoting more understanding and acceptance!

We have here a vitally important picture book, sharing the message of inclusivity and belonging, combined with art and color pallets that are undeniable in their beauty. Count me in!

From Far Away is a timely tale of the struggles of refugee children and families. This book would be an excellent picture book pairing with Refugee by Alan Gratz for upper elementary classrooms. I can see this being an excellent window and mirror book for classrooms across the country.

I love the idea of this children's book coming from a real letter. Great art as well.

<em>"So far, my favorite part of grade two is the trip our class took to the zoo. We got to see the pandas and monkeys and eat pizza and nobody shot at us the whole time."</em>

This a poinient story of a refugee, as told by the refugee to Robert Munich, after she had been in the country for about two years. It is very simple, but to the point. Being married to a former refugee, the quote above says it all, that you can go out, and not get shot at is a big deal about moving to a new country.

Great book to introduce children to the concept of refugees, and why they have to immigrate.

This was first written in 1996, and now, in 2017, there is a new afterward by the co-author, Saoussan, what has happened to her in the 11 years since the book first was written.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.