Call Me Gebyanesh is based on the life experiences of Gebyanesh Addisu who, with coauthor Arlene Rosenfeld Schenker, shares her story of struggling to fit into Israeli society as an immigrant from Ethiopia.
For young Gebyanesh, everything in Israel is different from the home she left — the food, the smells, the sounds, and even her name! On the first day of school, Gebyanesh’s teacher decides that her name is too difficult to pronounce and declares her Rakhel. This colorfully illustrated book then proceeds to share Gebyanesh’s challenges in her new home. She reflects, “‘I’m so different from the Israeli kids. I know we’re all Jewish, but I look different, my lunches are different, and everything in Israel is different! I do love my name, and I don’t like pretending that I’m Rakhel when I’m Gebyanesh on the inside!’”
Ultimately, Gebyanesh stands up to her teacher and asserts her identity. She teaches us all the importance of being true to yourself.
This highly recommended book can be appreciated for the pieces of Ethiopian culture woven into its words and illustrations, and for its potential as a valuable springboard for discussions about identity with children. It’s sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place — and who hasn’t?
