Call Me Gebyanesh

Gr 1-3–Moving is never easy, and arriving from Ethiopia, Gebyanesh feels the full weight of her new school in Israel on the very first day. While she shares her Jewish heritage with the other students, everything else about her seems to be different, from her food to her name. Initially, the adjustment from her former home to that in Israel is more challenging than she could imagine, but with bravery and support from loved ones, Gebyanesh is able to stand up for herself and embrace the things that make her unique. While this story takes place in Israel, it is a familiar experience for many people who have had to leave one country for another. This book thoughtfully presents Gebyanesh’s story in a way that is accessible to young children of myriad backgrounds. Best suited to early elementary school-aged readers due to the complexity of its narrative, the book can be enjoyed both in classrooms and in home settings. Colorful illustrations capture the attention as the longer narrative is read aloud, and youth all over the world are sure to recognize this story, no matter which side of it they happen to be on.