Welcome to Litsy!

Excellent work of graphic journalism. Halpern and Sloan spent over three years with the Aldabaan family, Syrian refugees. They arrive in the U.S. in 2016 and we follow their overwhelming and intimidating first months trying to learn English, secure employment and housing, adjust to school and more. An intimate look at the immigrant experience.

Journalist Jake Halpern embedded himself in this family of Syrian refugees who arrived in Connecticut (via Jordan) on the day Trump was elected. The main focus is Naji, the eldest of 5 children, but I found my heart going out to the parents. They were told they‘d have 3 months of financial support before having to make it on their own. Funny incidents enliven this tale of courage & resilience. Fluid, bold art & lettering by Michael Sloan. #comics

The scenes set in Homs, before the Aldabaan fled Syria, are some of the most heart wrenching in this book.

English Language Learners teacher: Today I want everyone to draw his or her dream house. This is your ideal, perfect home. Then I want you to present it to the class—in English.

The people who have volunteered to help a Syrian refugee family settle in Connecticut include drivers who will take them to medical appointments. All of the drivers in the Aldabaan‘s transportation team are elderly. And seem to be terrible drivers!

Starting thus graphic novel . Interesting times.

Library haul! #graphicnovels

Thankful for people who are still able to donate books to classrooms during these hard times! I requested copies of this novel for our school‘s “Angel Tree” program because my students love graphic novels and the family in this story ends up right in New Haven where I teach, so this important global issue will feel local to my students!

#teachersofLitsy #graphicnovels #iteach8th #refugeeswelcome #merrychristmas