Picture book
Kanzi, an immigrant from Egypt, protagonist of Aya Khalil's The Arabic Quilt, wants very much to fit in with her new American classmates. She wishes her parents would give her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead of ethnic food for school lunch. She turns down the volume on Arabic radio music when her mother drives her to school.
When a classmate begins to make fun of her Kanzi is heartbroken. But her very observant teacher comes up with a project that will help her classmates see the beauty in being bilingual.
Khalil herself immigrated from Egypt as a child. The Arabic Quilt is based on her experiences.
On a purrrsonal note, I was saddened to learn of the death of Betsy Webb. When I was on school committee representing an insignificant town without a high school she was the Bangor superintendent who made Bangor High the first Maine school with a STEM academy. But she chose to be a mentor to me. During those years I learned so much from her. And we conversed about a lot of non school topics too. As accomplished as she was, she wanted to be remembered mostly for being kind. She loved nature and respected it. Whether ice fishing or hiking or camping she left her devices off. She told me once that she loved to look at the stars because of how knowing what a small part she was of a vast and amazing universe made her feel. I'm sure I'm only one of the many people in whose hearts she will live on.
A great big shout out goes out to Betsy Webb.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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