Description
A boy. A girl. Two families. One great divide. When Michael meets Mina, they are at a rally for refugees - standing on opposite sides.
Mina fled Afghanistan with her mother via a refugee camp, a leaky boat and a detention centre. Michael's parents have founded a new political party called Aussie Values. They want to stop the boats. Mina wants to stop the hate. When Mina wins a scholarship to Michael's private school, their lives crash together blindingly. A novel for anyone who wants to fight for love, and against injustice.
Review
Michael’s parents have founded a political party called Aussie Values, which wants to stop boat people.
Mina is a refugee from Afghanistan who arrived via a refugee camp, then a boat and into a detention centre. When Michael meets Mina their two worlds collide and they must both decide what they believe in.
A spectacular novel by Randa Abdel-Fattah, author of ‘Does My Head Look Big In This?’.
Every character feels utterly authentic and will remind you of someone you have crossed paths with. It is a novel about change, acceptance, free speech, racism, injustice, love and most strongly friendship.
It is about growing up, discovering what you believe in and finding the courage to be true to those beliefs.
I read most of this book in one sitting, long into the night, as I could not put it down. This will make a perfect book for a Year 10 or 11 study, as it is dealing with issues which we hear about everyday, but don’t often think about deeply enough.
I highly recommend this book for both boys and girls and will not be surprised if it is on next years CBCA shortlist.
Reviewed by Michelle
