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Christine Ieronimo

A Thirst for Home: A Story of Water across the World Hardcover – Picture Book, May 20, 2014

by Christine Ieronimo (Author), Eric Velasquez (Illustrator)

28 ratings

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Alemitu lives with her mother in a poor village in Ethiopia, where she must walk miles for water and hunger roars in her belly. Even though life is difficult, she dreams of someday knowing more about the world. When her mother has no choice but to leave her at an orphanage to give her a chance at a better life, an American family adopts Alemitu. She becomes Eva in her new home in America, and although her life there is better in so many ways, she'll never forget her homeland and the mother who gave up so much for her. Told through the lens that water connects all people everywhere, this eye-opening, emotional story will get readers thinking about the world beyond their own.

Reading age

4 - 8 years
Print length

32 pages
Language

English
Grade level

1 - 2
Lexile measure

610L
Dimensions

8.85 x 0.39 x 11.34 inches
Publisher

Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication date

May 20, 2014
ISBN-10

0802723071
ISBN-13

978-0802723079
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Tears, rain, puddles: water keeps Eva Alemitu connected to Emaye, the mother she left behind in Ethiopia, as Eva adjusts to her new life in the U.S. In this hauntingly bittersweet tale, inspired partly by the author’s own life, Ieronimo imagines the heartbreak of a mother and daughter forced apart by hunger and poverty. The result is bleakly realistic, and readers will be drawn to Eva’s conflicting feelings of longing for her biological mother, and security with her adoptive family in America. Velasquez’s light-infused illustrations capture the quiet dignity of Emaye’s grief and Eva’s tentative acceptance, and perfectly complement the tender tone of the text. Perceptive readers will be too moved to be satisfied with the happy conclusion and will appreciate the story for its complexity rather than its plot. This book can be read as one of a growing number of immigration stories. An author’s note provides context and prompts for kids to take action. Grades 4-6. --Amina Chaudhri

Review

“This slim, sweet story will resonate particularly with children missing a previous home.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Velasquez's light-infused illustrations capture the quiet dignity of Emaye's grief and Eva's tentative acceptance, and perfectly complement the tender tone of the text . . . This book can be read as one of a growing number of immigration stories.” ―Booklist

“Beautifully illustrated oil paintings bring the words to life . . . This would be a good resource to use while doing cultural studies, especially with younger students.” ―Library Media Connection

“Provides an opportunity for addressing themes of poverty and resource inequity with a very young audience. The perspective is spot-on, and the presentation of Alemitu's culture shock is realistically detailed. Velasquez's lush full-bleed oil compositions offer photorealistic portraits of the story's characters . . . Raises some important talking points for young listeners as well as some thoughtful reminders to appreciate easy access to food and water.” ―BCCB

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury USA Childrens (May 20, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802723071
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802723079
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 610L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.85 x 0.39 x 11.34 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,376,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #656 in Children's Books on Adoption
- #662 in Children's Africa Books

Customer Reviews:
28 ratings

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Christine Ieronimo

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In 2008, Christine Ieronimo traveled to Ethiopia to adopt a little girl, her daughter. A day after their return, she found her drinking from a puddle in the family's driveway.

That inspired her to write a children's book about water across the world. The need for clean water in Ethiopia and around the world has become her passion. It is Christine's hope that this story, her first book, will inspire other children to want to learn more about this global problem.

'When we bring global issues into the classroom early on, we are creating a generation of children that are informed, compassionate, tolerant and morally responsible.'

Christine Ieronimo

CTAUN speech, Committee on Teaching about the United Nations (CTAUN) New York, NY

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Deborah F.

A Thirst for Home is a beautiful story that shows a mother's love in the face ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 4, 2016

Verified Purchase

A Thirst for Home is a beautiful story that shows a mother's love in the face of ultimate sacrifice, and will touch your deepest emotions. The very real issue -- a lack of clean water and poverty in Ethiopia leaves Alemitu's mother no choice but to leave her for adoption with the hopes of a better life. Alemitu is adopted by an American family and although she is now named Eva, she is still connected to her home and mother in Ethiopia through the very thing that took her away: water. Poetically written, this story will tear at your heart and open your eyes to the harsh realities facing mothers and families in Ethiopia and other impoverished regions of the world. Although it is recommended for young readers, this book is for everyone. It should be incorporated into school curriculum at a variety of grade levels.

3 people found this helpful

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shopgirl

The reality of water inaccessibility

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

I can see why people might not like this book as it highlights white privilege, but there is truth to the text. It cannot be denied that many children are adopted from underprivileged places around the world where they leave behind birth mothers and extended family. This seems to be more than just about water but the inequities that exist in our world and the unsettling choices some people/mothers have to make. I think it is timely and a way to start these conversations in the classroom. It is sad, seemingly unfair and heart wrenching no doubt, but definitely makes you think at any age.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

How can you not like A Thirst For Home

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 18, 2016

Verified Purchase

How can you not like A Thirst For Home? Eric Velazquez captures incredible pictures and colors that are so inviting and refreshing. Christine Ieronimo conveys a very true and amazing life using the connection of water-- how precious both are! What an educational read for children and adults.
I have given a copy of this book to some of my nieces and nephews for gifts. They loved it! Congratulations, Christine and Eric...a job well done!

2 people found this helpful

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JBE1356

Beautifully written and illustrated

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 9, 2014

Verified Purchase

Christine's book is beautifully written and illustrated. The story of Alemitu, her biological mother, her village and her American family is one you will find emotional and inspiring. In a country where most of us take clean water for granted, this moving story brings to light the struggles and sacrifices that many Ethiopian families, especially the woman and girls, face on a daily basis in order for their families to have water. Eric Velasquez's illustrations deepen the meaning of Christine's story. We look forward to Christine's visit to our school.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

An amazing story

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 21, 2014

Verified Purchase

Want to hear an amazing story about life in a part of the world where growing is hard and the choices that one person makes can effect so many others? Want to read a true story about love and giving and the true meaning of selflessness? This book is about an american family who adopts from Ethiopia and ends up learning so much from the experience. It makes you think of the water situation around the world. The pictures and writing will truly move you.

2 people found this helpful

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Gmextrdr

Read-Aloud Classic to be

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is so exceptional. Story will take your mind to somewhere it hasn't been. Illustrations are haunting. My granddaughter requested this book, after seeing it in elementary education class in college. Should win the Caldecott.

2 people found this helpful

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Danielle

A truly heartfelt story written for all readers.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 17, 2019

Verified Purchase

This book was written from the heart and will undoubtedly affect many people who take time to read it!

One person found this helpful

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