Rubina uses this in Grade 11 Immersion. 

Hook: Teen first person narration, almost like a diary of events from teen perspective.

Emphasis on le Maghreb.

Girls more commonly chose to read this book. Written in the style of a diary of a young girl who is 15-16 years old. 

First novel by the author.

Themes are intersectionality of poverty, class, religion, race, and culture. 

Recent references to events in the 1990s-2000s. Students understood the pop culture references. 

Lots of slang - argot, verlan, life in the banlieue. Perspective of life in the banlieue.

Arabisme in the French language (kiffer, kiffe-kiffe).

The protagonist deals with issues of identity, of being a French-Arabic person, she doesn’t ever fully feel “French”.

Suggests studying the French immigration and connection to colonization of Northern Africa before doing this book study.

Story of Doria and her mother. We can see examples of systemic racism that Doria faces in her daily life. A very honest and sincere look at living in between 2 cultures. 

Classroom use:

• Discussions of racism, immigration, culture clash, trauma, and cultural identity