This hard-hitting novel won, in its original French edition:
Nominee, Governor General's Literary Award for Translation (from French to English)
Karim has journeyed a long way from his home in war-torn Beirut to his new high school in Quebec. Now he must travel the difficult road to a life without war. There is contempt and racism here, too. But there is also My-Lan, a new companion in a new and challenging country. It is an adventure behind the headlines and a lesson in life you couldn't learn in the classroom.
"A tour de force . . . the work of an accomplished writer whose work has been brought to a new audience by an equally accomplished translator."
— Globe and Mail
"The climax is truly poignant and the resolution thoughtful."
— Books in Canada
"Deftly portrays the cultural conflicts within the high school classroom. . . . The writing style evokes an immediate response from readers with its expressive language, clarity of word choice, and changing point of view."
— International Reading Association, Newark, Delaware
"A powerful, thought-provoking story that handles discrimination, compromise, uprooting and friendship meaningfully."
— Kliatt
Michele Marineau
is the award-winning author of Cassiopee - L'Ete polonais, which earned her the 1988 Governor General's Award. She earned a second Governor General's Award and an International Board on Books for Young People Honour Citation for her novel La Route de Chlifa, or The Road to Chlifa. Michele's books have received numerous awards in Quebec, France and Belgium, and have been translated into several languages.
Susan Ouriou
is a Calgary-based translator and writer who has translated from both French and Spanish. She has been nominated for two Governor General's Literary Awards for her translations of The Road to Chlifa and Necessary Betrayals.
In its original French edition:
Updates Available: Updates Available: Update available for Picture Gallery Module