The Bridges We Will Build - by Kacie LeCompte Renfro (Paperback)

About the Book

Follows four women of various countries of origin and different life experiences, refugees and Americans, as they come together at The Unity School, a school for refugee and American children.

Book Synopsis

We hear a lot about refugees in the news, but how many of us really know their stories?

The Bridges We Will Build, follows four women of various countries of origin and drastically different life experiences, refugees and Americans, as they come together at The Unity School, a charter school for refugee and American children. Here, they rediscover the hope and inspiration that seemed lost to them before. But when one of them is killed in a violent hate crime, their new-found hope for the future is tested. The Bridges We Will Build provides a vision of the possibility of true solidarity. It compels us to believe that communities can transcend socially constructed barriers towards a recognition of our common humanity.

"The Bridges We Will Build reminds us of the ways women negotiate the inter-sections of their lives. It is accessible even as it crosses into important complications in the lives of its main characters. Enjoy!" --Dr. amina wadud, American Muslim theologian, Professor Emeritus of Islamic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University

"Renfro creates characters that bring the reader closer to becoming compassionate and understanding of refugees struggling to assimilate into a new culture. This story is a reminder that we have the power to end this hatred and that power resides in our actions to confront racism and injustice themselves." --Matilde Simas, Founder of Capture Humanity, Visual Journalist

"The Bridges We Will Build is an insightful, well-written book about finding friendship in a world of conflict, misunderstanding, displacement and intolerance. This book renewed my faith that love and human connection can overcome even the most destructive forms of trauma and prejudice." --Christopher White, Professor of Religion, Vassar

From Modern History Press www.ModernHistoryPress.com

Review Quotes

"In this particular moment in history, with deep rifts as well as a growing consciousness of our interconnectedness as humans, The Bridges We Will Build offers us a compelling vision into the possibility of true solidarity. The author's ability to use narrative as a way to tell authentic stories and to describe the human condition, whether of struggle, pain, loss, joy, or love, makes us believe that communities can, in fact, transcend socially constructed barriers towards a recognition of our common humanity. This book is nothing short of a timely and hopeful gift to us in these uncertain times." -- Shabnam Koirala Azad, Dean of School of Education at University of San Francisco, Professor of International and Multicultural Education

"In the process of reading this book, I found myself at times weeping, at times smiling, and at times overwhelmed with a strong mix of emotions-trauma and pain. I was reminded of how devastating the effects of war and violence are, and who refugees are. The novel is captivating, and Kacie's description of events is real, focused and appealing. If I didn't know her personally, I would've thought she were "one-of-us"-an immigrant, a refugee too. My gratitude toward her understanding of the plight of refugees and how vividly and delicately she describes it all, is immense. The novel is a work of fiction but includes elements of real-life stories, and I appreciate Kacie's honesty describing Sherry, the character based loosely on her own lived experiences." --Theresa Samuel-Boko, Marriage and Family Therapist and former Director of Adult and Families Refugee Resettlement Program for Catholic Charities of San Jose

"Kacie takes you on a voyage full of love, friendship, bravery and acceptance. In the process, the reader is challenged to step out of their comfort zone. The characters in the novel: students, teachers and staff consisting of refugees, immigrants, and Americans representing more than forty different countries, are the people who make up the community at the Unity School. The ideas central to the novel are reminiscent of Martin Luther King's words when he said 'Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and creation of the beloved community.'" --Hibo Hassan, Teacher of French at GLOBE Academy and former educator at the International Community School, the school which inspired the fictional Unity School central to this novel

"I had the honor of editing this amazing book for the publisher, and the experience made me a better person. As a child, I was a refugee myself, but all the same, following the women Kacie LeCompte Renfro created, and then brought to life, has given me a new, deeper, more emotional experience of what it means to be a refugee today. The most admirable person in the story is a background character, someone we only meet occasionally: Mr. Luna, the principal of Unity School. Can we have him as President of the USA please? But I particularly loved two middle-aged women: Bosnian Aida, and retired teacher Lydia. As you read, they burst alive from the pages, and by sharing their struggles, you will become a better person. Just like in the real-life experience of refugees, there is horror. Steel yourself to get through it, because it is a necessary foil to the magnificence. Do yourself a favor and share the lives of the people at Unity School." --Dr. Bob Rich, author and book editor