Golden Girl

Aafiyah is a regular girl with a loving family and comfortable lifestyle…but she has a bad habit of taking things that aren’t hers. And when her father is falsely accused of a crime, Aafiyah’s world is turned upside down, and she must face the consequences of her actions and devise a plan to bring her father back. Suitable for middle-school-aged readers, students may be able to relate to Aafiyah’s friendship, body image, and ethical struggles. These situations may spark discussion, lead to further research, and prompt critical thinking. In the classroom, teachers may introduce this novel for independent study or as a literature circle choice. Students may be encouraged to expand their knowledge of family backgrounds, heritage, language, beliefs, and perspectives in a pluralistic society.