Lisa Joyal,
Swahili for Beginners
Sumach Press, 2007.

Gr. 6-9
Rating: E*

Georgie lives in the Roncesvalles neighbourhood of Toronto, and, as the novel opens, is getting ready to enter grade eight. Her parents are divorced; she lives with her mom in an apartment and her father lives with his new wife and family. While looking on the internet for adventures in far-flung destinations, Georgie stumbles upon a website that matches potential pen-pals around the world. She chooses a girl of similar age in Tanzania, and their mail correspondence begins. The letters between the two friends subtly reveal what life is like for both of them; Ellie’s letters in particular reveal an innocence, and a life untouched by technology. Georgie devises a plan to visit Ellie in Tanzania, and in order to raise money for her adventure, she gets herself a part-time job to pay for the trip. However, Georgie knows her mom will be against the trip, and waits for the ‘right time’ to tell her. In addition to the letters being shared with Ellie, we find out much about Georgie’s life in Toronto. Her best friend Jodi has a sister who is increasingly affected by anorexia. In addition, Georgie is enjoying a slowly developing friendship with a new boy in her grade, Dylan, with whom she shares a gentle romance towards the end of the novel.

This is a wonderful book which promotes international awareness, and focuses on giving, and charity. Georgie has a true, authentic voice, and Joyal has perfectly captured the ups and downs of life in Grade 8. This is an essential purchase for middle school libraries, and all students in grades 6 and up will enjoy this inspirational story.Swahili for Beginners is a great recommendation for students who are completing an international geography project, someone who is studying life overseas, or perhaps a student who is interested in taking part in international service or volunteer work as they get older.

Thematic Links: Friendship; Africa; International Relations

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.