Although Jude knows how to speak some English, she dreads the ESL class. Jude has seven classes including math and ESL.
In the fall, Jude begins attending the same school as her cousin Sarah.Instead of helping Jude, Sarah shuns her and goes off to be with her friends. Their town is safe for now but Jude senses fear in her baba. Jude and her mother settle into a bedroom on the third floor of her uncle's huge old home located in a neighbourhood called Clifton.Once they are settled in, they call Baba in Syria. Uncle Mazin and Aunt Michelle are very welcoming but Jude's cousin Sarah seems unhappy about their visit. However, both Baba and Issa will remain behind as Baba must stay to care for their store.Īfter one final party with friends, Jude and Mama travel to Cincinnati Ohio where they are met by Uncle Mazin, his wife Aunt Michelle who "looks like an American movie star" and her cousin Sarah. Her father must now stay at his shop to ensure it remains safe.Īmid rising tensions, Jude learns that she and Mama, who is expecting a baby, will be visiting her uncle who lives in America. Issa manages to lead Jude to safety but this leaves their parents terrified. On the day that Jude is finally allowed to visit him, his apartment is raided by armed police. Eventually he moves out of the family home into his own apartment. Jude's mama is careful to make sure the police are aware of her support for Assad.ĭespite the violence, and warnings from Baba, Issa remains committed to the protests. In Jude's town, people are now openly showing their support for the president by bowing before his picture which is hung in shops everywhere. In a nearby town, men with stolen tanks and weapons have taken over and are fighting the Syrian army. After the protest, police are everywhere, at school, the butcher shop, the beach, and there are rumours of people being rounded up and put in jail. The next day her baba shows her pictures in the newspaper of bloodied protesters. On the day of a huge protest, Jude is forced to stay home.
Their mama tells Issa that they should not tempt fate, that life is good however, Issa reminds her that life is not good for everyone in Syria. Their baba is furious that Issa attends these meetings which he considers treasonous but Issa insists that it is Assad who is treasonous. He wants something better for Syria and he wants change.
Jude's most favourite person in the entire world is her brother Issa who has become involved in meetings about democracy and revolution.
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