Through My Eyes

Age Range: 8–12
Themes: Refugee Experience, Identity, Social Justice

After escaping the horrors of Somalia's civil war, eleven-year-old Zamzam arrives in America with new dreams—and unexpected challenges. She must navigate stereotypes, cultural biases, and the struggle to be seen for her true worth.

A powerful story of resilience, compassion, and courage, Through My Eyes invites readers to step into someone else’s shoes and understand how empathy can change everything.

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Rave Reviews

  • First I would like to thank the author who put the time and effort to write this book not for business but more importantly to share her experience with others who didn't have the opportunity. Yes, others will make judgemental statement about the content of this book but I will encourage everyone to understand the message. Nowadays people get their information from various sources but what you hear from a personal experience is different from what you hear or get from a news outlet. The Author's message is from a personal experience and its worth understanding her message before our biases gets in the way.

    - Bishar

  • Through My Eyes is a compassionate and dignified story of the challenges and perceptions of ayoung Somali refugee girl as she navigates her new life in her new community and school in America. A poignant reminder that cross-cultural understanding begins with mutual respect and an openness to "walking in their shoes" of people from different cultures in order to appreciate how they perceive the world around them.

    - Will Kennedy, Senior Programme Officer at United Nations Office for Partnerships

  • Zamzam is presented as a child who is fascinated by her new country and her new peers, but at the same time is proud of her Islamic and Somali heritage. This sends a powerful message to young Somali Americans, who at times, struggle to reconcile the various aspects of their identity.

    - Somali Literacy Project

  • Great for kids & adults. This does much to give a voice to our local Somali community. In some ways they are different, in most ways the same. Buy it for insight, or even simply to support an author who has undertaken an urgently relevant effort to promote understanding between cultures.

    - James M.

  • The book should be read by every American. It is a heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, expoloration of the struggles of a young refugee girl, and beyond that it is an affirmation of all people who struggle and then succeed in social and cultural adaptations.

    - Dennis Dalman, Editor for the Newsleaders

  • Through My Eyes is by far one of the best books written to build an understanding of the refugee experience. Tammy shows great compassion in her writing and draws the reader in with an exceptionally written story.

    - Natalie Prash, Director of English Language Services, Saint Cloud Schools

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  • The Somali Literacy Project

    One of the greatest strengths of this book is in the author’s ability to tell a Somali-American story without forwarding deficit perspectives of Somalia, Somalis, and Islam. In children’s literature and beyond, Somalia is portrayed singularly as a war torn country. Tammy introduces Somalia as a country with a rich past, which was quite refreshing. This sends a powerful message to young Somali Americans, who at times struggle to reconcile the various aspects of their identity.

    — The Somali Literacy Project

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  • New book evokes fears, strengths of Somali girl

    Some adults who have read the book before it was published said they were impressed by how much it broadened their views and made them sensitive and compassionate toward refugees who have to cope with so many pressures, not the least of which is learning a new language.

    — Dennis Dalman
    The News Leaders

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  • Community Gathers for Book Launch

    WAITE PARK - Many gathered at Discovery Community School for the book launch of "Through My Eyes".


    "One girl said this book is amazing because now people are going to look at us differently". -Wilson

    — Chrissy Gaetke
    WJON

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  • New program 'Empowers' families to engage with education despite language barriers

    For many parents, following along with their children's education — with the ever-increasing use of technology and new teaching techniques — is complicated enough. 

    — Jenny Berg
    St. Cloud Times

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  • Discovery School Principal Becomes Author to Empower Her Students

    “Tammy Wilson became the new principal at Discovery Community Schoolin St. Cloud, Minnesota and had plenty on her “to-do” list. Writing a children’s book wasn’t on it – until one day she helped out in the school media center.”

    — T. DeLand
    Saint Cloud School District

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  • Discovery principal becomes an author

    Wilson said she was looking through her school's collection of books and was startled to find there were none with a main character that would obviously resonate with Somali students. Discovery has a large proportion of Somali students and almost 20 percent of the students in the St. Cloud school district come from homes where the Somali language is spoken.

    — Kevin Allenspach
    Saint Cloud Times

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