Place at the Table, A

When two Grade 6 girls, Sara and Elizabeth, meet and develop a friendship while working together to win a cooking contest, they examine their school and community’s interpersonal relationships and cultural biases while creating a stronger understanding of each other and themselves. Readers may gain insight and understanding of Sara’s immigrant experience and her Pakistani and Islamic culture, as well as Elizabeth’s Jewish identity. In the classroom, intermediate-level students may explore the book’s message about intercultural understanding and friendship. These themes may invite rich discussions about multicultural diversity and supporting family, standing up to racism, following your career passion, and the difficulties of interpersonal relationships.