Algeria is beautiful like America

Burton spent much of her life both curious and haunted by her family's stories of Algeria they were French colonists who fled back to France during escalating violence as Algeria fought for independence and this sensitive travelogue traces the trip she finally took to see the land they lived on. Fueled by half-remembered stories and a loose stack of papers containing her grandmother's memoir, Burton sets out into the countryside, accompanied by a local guide, Djaffar, to find out anything she can about her family. She's uncomfortable with her connection to colonization and worried about how she'll be received, but as she meets more people and witnesses the sheer beauty of the land, she develops her own personal connection to an Algeria that's deeply important to her own roots, however fraught they may be. In Grand's delicate pencil drawings, meaningful facial expressions reveal emotional nuance, expansive landscapes capture stunning Algerian vistas, and occasional full-color snapshot-like illustrations reinforce the documentary feel. In her vulnerable, inquisitive narrative and journalistic style, Burton tells a story about colonialism, refugees, and family history with graceful depth.--Sarah Hunter Copyright 2018 Booklist