My Name is Blessing
Illustrator
Eugenie Fernandes
Publisher
Tundra Books
Publication Year
2013
ISBN
9781770493018
Pages
32 pages
Genre
realism
Format
picture book
Item Type
Fiction
Annotation
Based on the life of a real boy, this warm-hearted, beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Baraka, a young Kenyan boy with a physical disability. Baraka and eight cousins live with their grandmother. She gives them boundless love, but there is never enough money or food, and life is hard--love doesn't feed hungry stomachs or clothe growing bodies, or school keen minds. Baraka is too young, and, with his disability, needs too much, and she is too old. A difficult choice must be made, and grandmother and grandchild set off on a journey to see if there is a place at the orphanage for Baraka. The story begins by looking at Baraka's physical disability as a misfortune, but ends by looking beyond the disability, to his great heart and spirit, and the blessings he brings.
Grade Level
K-3
Lexile Measure
AD630L
Diversity Topics
Family Relationships; Disability and Health; Legal guardianship; Poverty; Physical disability; grandmother raising grandchildren; impoverished family; impoverished community; hand deformity; missing fingers
Main Character
male child
Race/Ethnicities
Kenyan
Family Formation
grandmother
Awards
Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, 2014, Finalist
Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction, 2014, Finalist
Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2014 Picture Book
Kirkus Book Review Stars, 2013
Notable Books for a Global Society, 2014 Picture Book
Keywords
group home; Kenya; bullying; feelings; soccer; strength
Diversity Impact
direct
STARS Citation
Walters, Eric, "My Name is Blessing" (2013). Diverse Families. 1566.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/diversefamilies/1566