My Name is Sangoel
Book Summary:
My Name Is Sangoel tells the story of a young Sudanese refugee who moves to the United States and struggles when others mispronounce his name. Rather than changing it, Sangoel finds a creative way to help classmates and teachers say his name correctly by connecting its sounds to familiar images. The story highlights identity, resilience, and the importance of honoring people’s names and cultures.
Recommended Questions:
On the first page, the Wise One tells Sangoel, “You carry a Dinka name” and “Remember, you will always be a Dinka.” Research and learn more about Dinka culture, including its geographic location, traditions, and current ways of life. Why do you think the Wise One emphasizes this message?
Read the author’s note to learn more about refugees. Why might Sangoel’s family have chosen to leave? What things might they miss from their previous home? What might they not miss?
Why do you think Sangoel calls the airplane a “sky boat”? How does this term connect to his lived experiences and cultural background?
Who do you think Mrs. Johnson is? How might she have known that Sangoel and his family were coming to America and be waiting for them at the airport with a sign? Do you think helping refugees is part of her job, or something she chooses to do on her own time? What evidence from the text supports your thinking?
Why is Sangoel’s name so important to him? What does it represent about his identity?
How do names connect to culture, family, and history?
Why do you think Sangoel chose to teach others how to say his name instead of changing it?
Why might changing his name have been the easier choice? What might Sangoel lose by doing that?
How do Sangoel’s choices help meet both his needs (feeling safe and respected) and his wants (belonging and pride in who he is)?
How might Sangoel’s experience be similar to or different from the experiences of other newcomers or refugees?
What can students and teachers do to make sure everyone feels respected, included, and valued at school?
NCSS Theme 4: Individual Development and Identity
This book explores how Sangoel understands himself in a new cultural environment. His name represents his personal and cultural identity, and the story shows how maintaining that identity builds confidence and belonging. Students learn that identity is shaped by culture, experience, and how others treat us.
Social Justice Anchor Standard 1: Positive Social Identity
Sangoel’s determination to keep his name shows positive self-identity and self-confidence, while also teaching others to value and honor differences. The book encourages students to see identity as something to be respected, not changed to fit in.
WA Economics 1: Understands that people have to make choices between wants and needs and evaluate the outcomes of those choices
Sangoel and his family must make difficult choices as refugees, including leaving their homeland to meet the basic need for safety. Sangoel also faces a personal choice between changing his name to make life easier or keeping it to preserve his identity. The book helps students understand that choices often involve trade-offs and have emotional and social consequences.
