Sandra Uwiringiyimana

This is a compelling memoir from a young woman who suffered incredible trauma and tragedy, and who then learned to navigate America as a young black woman. A truly unique set of experiences that sheds light on the realities of life in Africa, the truth of immigration to the US, the experience of growing up black-but-not-American-black in New York, and the stress of coping with PTSD and depression as a result of trauma in college. She sheds light on cultural differences and common show more misconceptions she ran into during her young life. Truly a captivating read. show less

Sandra tells her story of being displaced due to war. It was something that happened to her family frequently growing up in the Congo. When her family was at a refugee camp in Burundi, she survived a massacre that took the life of her younger sister and seriously injured her mother and brother. This trauma and flashbacks haunted her. The family eventually moved to America and became citizens but it was not a smooth transitions. Sandra's activism put her on a world stage at a young stage, show more bringing incredible opportunities but also bringing back the trauma that she experienced. The first chapter shocks you into her reality, describing the massacre. show less

I think this book offers a wonderful perspective into the life of a refugee. Often, people fleeing violence and war are seen as statistics. Sandra gives us a look at the humanity of these people. She asks us to view her as more than a refugee, as a person. I think this book is especially important now, as our country faces growing numbers of asylum seekers at the southern boarder. Each one of those migrants has their own story and their own desire to find their place in the world. This book show more is young adult nonfiction, but I also think adults would get a lot out of reading it. show less

Amazing story about a girl who lived through truly horrific things and came out as an advocate for others. It was interesting to hear her perspective on race in America after coming from a completely different culture. There is a section where she talks about being sexually assaulted by a family member. She is very bold in what she says, and speaks out that the culture of keeping quiet is not right. She is very forward with all of the issues that she must deal with related to being a show more refugee, being an African-American, being a teenager, being religious, and so many other aspects of her life. show less