Drita, My Homegirl

Author: Jenny Lombard

Drita My Homegirl is the story of Drita, a Muslim Albanian refugee who has emigrated to New York City from war-torn Kosovo. Drita longs to make friends in school, but faces difficulty due to her limited English. Drita My Homegirl is narrated, through alternating chapters, from the perspective of two fourth graders, Drita and Maxie. As their stories unfold, their unlikely friendship grows, fostered by both girls' tendency to separate themselves from others. Drita is trying to deal with her mother's depression, while at the same time struggling to fit in at school. Maxie, on the other hand, appears to be a fun-loving comedian at school, but she, too is struggling outside of school as she attempts to deal with the death of her mother. As these unlikely friends come together, the themes of family, friendship, and love intertwine around them. Drita My Homegirl is appropriate for grades 3-5 and could be used to engage students in lively group discussions.

Year Released: 2006

Grades 3-5