Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Building Background Knowledge

Republic of the Sudan, Africa The main character of the book is from the country of Sudan on the continent of Africa.

Sudan Sudan is the largest country in Africa and almost the size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River. The climate in the north is desert-like and savanna. The climate in the south is tropical. The southern regions are inundated during the annual floods of the Nile River system.

The people of Sudan Sudan’s population is one of the most diverse in Africa. Within two distinct major cultures- Arab and black African-hundreds of ethnic and tribal subdivisions, as well as language groups, exist.

Civil War in Sudan Cultural and religious differences between the north and south have forced the displacement of many people within the southern region of Sudan.

Civil War in Sudan 4 million people have been forced from their homes into refugee camps. This is an aerial view of a section of a refugee camp.

Civil War in Sudan Two million people have died from violence, famine, and disease as a result of this conflict. This photo is a hut in a refugee camp.

Aid from the U.S.- $10 billion Food Water sanitation Health services Hygiene Camp management Schools Roads Electricity Agricultural support Government development

How does this connect? Kek is the main character of the book Home of the Brave that we will be reading in class. Kek was born and raised in Sudan and is about your age. Kek’s father and brother were killed due to the violence of the civil war in Sudan. His mother is missing. As an orphaned refugee, Kek is sent to a new home- Minnesota- to live with his aunt and cousin. Kek patiently waits for word of his mother’s fate as he begins this new and strange life in America.