Well, America is nice, with all its lights and bling. Trouble is, thirteen is never the time to move to a new anywhere. I mean, thirteen is the age to worry about puberty, and about fitting into the ‘in’ group at school. It is most certainly not a time to be thinking about making new friends. Eeeek! Why does the whole class just stare at him whenever he walks in? Like, he just fell down from Mars! Wait a minute! Has the pimple on his nose got anything to do with it? Has it become a mountain? But it was just a tiny spot when he looked at it in the mirror this morning. Maybe it is his punk, is it way too high? Is it way too low? Oh dear! Why did his dad decide to buy this particular pair of sneakers? Of all the sneakers in the store, and this? So uncool. And why does that girl in the skimpy outfit sitting behind him keep asking, “what accent is that?” What accent is what? Joojo is smart. I mean, smart, smart. Even when he was in Liberia, he never needed to put too much effort into learning. Student extraordinaire. So, now in America, the teachers have noticed he is far above the average child, and have recommended a first tier school for him, and so he moves to the Science High School. The challenges of being an immigrant in America are real. Many missed opportunities but with his parents’ encouragement, guidance, and support, Joojo forges on. Joojo is smart. I mean, smart, smart. Even when he was in Liberia, he never needed to put too much effort into learning. Student extraordinaire. 7 The Birthday Journal
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