In the Middle of It with Amy Kelly, The Ish Girl
Book Talk - A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi
Biggest Takeaways:
Tahera Mafi’s A Very Large Expanse of Sea is a beautiful book that is perfect for springboarding into meaningful conversations with your teen.
The Context
Fear and mistrust might be knee-jerk reactions, but how we act and think afterwards is our choice.
When we can understand racism as a system we’re born into rather than an attitude held by a “bad person” who wants to harm others because of their race, we can begin to be open to recognizing problematic racial patterns in ourselves.
It’s important to me that I model for and instill in my teens a compassion and an empathy for others, regardless of any perceived differences.
Post 9/11, many Muslims in the United States were harassed and persecuted. (See the articles below.)
The Book
This story puts us into the mind of a 16-year-old Muslim girl, a year after the 9/11 attacks.
Shirin is miserable, isolated, and bitter because of her post 9/11 experiences. She has been harassed, bullied, and literally attacked. She’s withdrawn into a prickly shell, using her hadjib and her headphones to block out the world around her.
As she navigates her first love, Shirin slowly starts to open up and make friends. She discovers that by closing herself off, she’s become the very thing she most despises.
The Issues
Academic Pressure Body Choice Bullying Friendship Discrimination/Stereotyping Dating Relationships Parent/Teen Relationships Sibling Relationships Teacher/Student Relationships Trauma
Referenced in this Episode:
Discussion Questions for A Very Large Expanse of Sea
A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahera Mafi
White Fragility by Robin J. Diangelo
Facing Muslim Stereotypes after 9/11
Assaults against Muslims in U.S. surpass 2001 level
How 9/11 Changed These Muslim Americans’ Lives Forever
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