A photo essay that explores what life is like for children forced to become refugees after fleeing their homes due to war and conflict.
Every child needs a home. Children need somewhere safe where they can be happy, eat their meals with their family, play with their toys, and go to sleep at night feeling unafraid. But many children all over the world have had to leave their homes because they are no longer safe. Because of war and conflict, they and their families have become refugees. For them life is hard and full of questions. In spite of everything, they find time to laugh, play, and make friends. And most importantly, they have hope that somewhere, someone will welcome them to a new home.
Praise & Recognition
A glimpse into the lives of child refugees as well as the resilience and endurance they exhibit in many forms.
Kirkus Reviews
Important and timely, Where Will I Live? focuses on the plight of displaced children from around the world... Books like Where Will I Live? that can prompt discussions at home with our children of the many varied countries, cultures, and peoples will hopefully lead to better and more empathetic relationships as well as a desire to help make these families feel comfortable and welcome in their new home. Highly recommended.
CM: Canadian Review of Materials
A poignant photojournalistic look at the issues confronting refugee children and their families... The true power of the book lies in its ability to spark classroom conversations, highlighting the need for cultural awareness and compassion.
School Library Journal
... the ultimate message, “I hope someone smiles and says ‘Welcome home.’ I hope that someone is you,” should encourage little ones to view these children with compassion, and that is valuable.
Booklist
Where Will I Live will help children appreciate the stability they have in their own lives and raise their cultural awareness of the plight of children worldwide. It addresses tough issues and belongs in every school library.
Children's Books Heal
From beginning to end, Rosemary McCarney offers a message about the resiliency of children to endure their struggles and make temporary abodes wherever and whenever necessary until they can find a forever home, thus making Where Will I Live? a telling story that goes beyond loss and into the realm of hope.
CanLit for Little Canadians
Moving, heart-wrenching, and timely, Where Will I Live? will spark much thought and conversation.
National Reading Campaign
Ending with the encouraging message that refugees are always looking for a smiling face and hoping to hear the words, “Welcome home!,” this book is a plea for charity and kindness for displaced people everywhere.
Catholic Library World
This is a very moving book which could be used at any level to promote compassion and action on behalf of the many refugee children who are displaced and wandering the globe.
Resource Links
Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens - Fall 2017 2017 - Commended
Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards, The Shining Willow Award 2018 - Short-listed
Rosemary McCarney is Canada's Ambassador to the Office of the United Nations in Geneva and past President and CEO of Plan Canada. She is the author of the internationally best-selling Every Day is Malala Day, Because I Am a Girl: I Can Change the World, The Way to School, and the Rosie the Red series.
