"The Good Braider" by Terry Farish (213 pages)

This novel follows a Sudanese family’s journey to Portland, Maine. The story is told in stream of consciousness verses through the eyes of a teenage immigrant girl When their home village of Juba in war-torn South Sudan is taken over by Muslim soldiers, Viola, her mother and younger brother flee, leaving friends and family members behind, including her beloved grandmother.
The story follows not only their new life in Maine, but also the struggle of getting there, as the family of three stays in a tightly woven refugee camp for over two years. Upon arriving in Maine, the family, now one member less, is warmly welcomed by the community of other Sudanese refugees but Viola still feels as though something is missing.  Adjusting to the life and customs of America proves hard to the family, but Viola is determined to bloom in this country, knowing she is now free in the land of opportunities. At 213 pages, this book is a quick read. It shows well the struggles of an immigrant family and makes you open your eyes to how different our cultures really are.

Reviewed by Alexis Merrill