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yumnas's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great book for middle schoolers on race, being a first generation immigrant, and friendships and kindness. I love the cooking analogies throughout the book!
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
They say opposites attract, and sixth-graders Sara and Elizabeth could not be any more opposite of each other. Pakistani-American and Muslim, Sara is quiet and a bit surly, suddenly starting public school without a single friend, and would rather be making art than sitting in her mom's cooking club. Half-English and Jewish, Elizabeth's father is rarely home and her mother has been in a depression ever since Nan died; Mom was never much of a cook to begin with, but it has gotten worse since she got back from England. Hopefully, the school cooking club will help Elizabeth learn how to make real meals for her family.
When the two girls get paired up in the cooking class, it is the spark that ignites that takes the girls from cooking partners, to cooking competitors, and, finally, friends. They bond over what it means to have an immigrant parents, having a faith that is sometimes misunderstood or leads to ignorant and hateful comments, and the general woes of middle school. Together, they work to make a place at the table.
This sweet collaborative novel from Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is a beautiful and delightful tale of food and friendship, as well as personal growth and working through problems as a family. A wonderful book about growing up and finding your place in the world, "A Place at the Table" definitely has a place on the shelf!
They say opposites attract, and sixth-graders Sara and Elizabeth could not be any more opposite of each other. Pakistani-American and Muslim, Sara is quiet and a bit surly, suddenly starting public school without a single friend, and would rather be making art than sitting in her mom's cooking club. Half-English and Jewish, Elizabeth's father is rarely home and her mother has been in a depression ever since Nan died; Mom was never much of a cook to begin with, but it has gotten worse since she got back from England. Hopefully, the school cooking club will help Elizabeth learn how to make real meals for her family.
When the two girls get paired up in the cooking class, it is the spark that ignites that takes the girls from cooking partners, to cooking competitors, and, finally, friends. They bond over what it means to have an immigrant parents, having a faith that is sometimes misunderstood or leads to ignorant and hateful comments, and the general woes of middle school. Together, they work to make a place at the table.
This sweet collaborative novel from Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is a beautiful and delightful tale of food and friendship, as well as personal growth and working through problems as a family. A wonderful book about growing up and finding your place in the world, "A Place at the Table" definitely has a place on the shelf!
megpancoast's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
This is the book 6th graders picked for our first trimester book club, a November suggestion by Project Lit. At first I thought I’d do a 30 minute read of it but then I found myself really buying into the story of Sara and Elizabeth and their worries about their immigrant moms and their lack of friends in 6th grade and their love of food. There are strong themes of family and tradition and the struggles of the children of first generation immigrants. Can’t wait to talk to the 6th graders about this.
sara_hudson's review against another edition
4.0
Told in two voices as written by two authors (like Save Me a Seat and Same Sun Here), the book explores several favorite mglit themes - new kid at school, family financial challenges, kid-of-immigrant, parent mental health, mean girls at school. Somehow, this book takes those tried and true themes and mines new ground. Maybe it is the food - Sara's mother runs a Pakistani catering service - that helps. Also, Elizabeth - the foil to new-kid-daughter-of-immigrants Sara - has her own issues to deal with. Some are different than Sara's (Elizabeth's mother's depression), but some overlap (Elizabeth's family is Jewish and faces some "othering" because of it). They are both a bit quirky and their growing friendship - though not without some difficulties - feels authentic. The "that's when it all went wrong" moment isn't surprising, and the girls got off a little easier than feels true, but it wraps up nicely. And, the brothers and male friend Micah (who I wish got a bit more air time) add a lot to the story.
daenknight's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
terrapoetic's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this warm, upbeat novel about being yourself, even when that means being different from everyone around you. Not only does it offer an engaging story with sympathetic characters and interesting conflicts, but it also teaches some great lessons about friendship, family, being yourself, standing up for others, forgiving each other, and celebrating our differences. My favorite lesson in the story is that becoming a better, more open-minded person is a process. We can learn from our mistakes and strive to do better each and every day. As a religious person, I also appreciate that A PLACE AT THE TABLE teaches kids that religion isn't necessarily weird or fanatical—for most people, it's just a normal, ordinary part of life. Also, religious practices can vary among different communities, families and individuals. All of these elements combined to create a wonderful, entertaining, and thought-provoking story that I enjoyed very much. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could.
okiegirl4's review against another edition
5.0
This is a perfect dual narrative immigrant friendship story that covers themes like race, food, mental health, parents all woven into a great story. I really enjoyed learning about all the Pakistani food.