Petit Pays
by Gaël Faye
Though it is a story that involves art, it is not typical in any way... After growing up in Senegal, Zeinixx decides that street art is her calling. As an artist, she finds a sense of peace in large-scale painting - graffiti. So, she decides to take on a new journey, a new lifestyle for herself that will allow her to express herself in a way that is empowering to women, practice her art, and be part of another community. Her story is one of strength, empowerment and the will to follow your heart. Senegal's first female graffiti artist, Zeinixx, defies gender stereotypes as one of the top graffiti artists in West Africa. Zeinixx uses both graffiti and slam poetry for social good and is passionate about promoting the rights of women and girls in Senegal.
Published: 2016
Originally written in French
Number of pages: 224
Recommended FSL Programs and Grades
Grade 11 (Immersion)
Grade 12 (Immersion)
Race/Ethnic/Geographic Information
Author: Rwandan and French
Characters: Rwandan
Setting: Rwanda
Notes from a teacher-reader
About the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s. From the point of view of an 11 y.o. boy.
Opportunity to talk about racism, genocide, mental health, alcoholism, etc. with students
Activities: Changing the end of the study, scene, writing lyrics
Author is also a singer - videos on YouTube
Some TV5 activities (song analysis)
Has a historical part that can be discussed (colonization, war in Burundi and Rwanda)
May be triggering for some students - topic of genocide, use of n-word, theme of vengeance
Feel free to contact the teacher-reader, Parand Ghaemi at parand.ghaemi@peelsb.com f you have questions about this novel.