Le Racisme expliqué à ma fille
by Tahar Ben Jelloun
La lutte contre le racisme commence avec l'éducation. On peut éduquer des enfants, pas des adultes. C'est pour cela que ce texte a été pensé et écrit en priorité pour des enfants entre huit et quatorze ans, mais bien sûr aussi pour leurs parents.
Publication Information
Published: 2009
Originally written in French
Number of pages: Under 100 pages
Recommended FSL Programs and Grades
Grade 9 (Immersion)
Grade 11 (Core)
Grade 12 (Core)
Race/Ethnic/Geographic Information
Author: Moroccan
Characters: Unknown
Setting: Paris (?) Takes place during a demonstration against an immigration law in Paris.
Notes from a teacher-reader
Not a particularly engaging storyline. Good book though, but may not work to bring students into the story.
Moroccan author - wrote the book in response to his daughter’s questions after attending a protest in France criticizing immigrants in 1997.
The book has two versions:
Author’s first book - short (under 100 pages).
Second book - longer (200 pages after the first book, adds new events that happened after the story, offers commentary as well).
There are no characters, he is strictly writing to his daughter.
Classroom use:
Great resource for a social justice class (perhaps the Psych/Socio/Anthro course).
Accessible language for second language learners (good for a Core class).
Relatable examples on racism.
Prompt thinking around what racism is.
Not the most engaging storyline.
Feel free to contact the teacher-reader, Amy Turner, at amy.turner@ugdsb.on.ca if you have questions about this novel.