Listen, Layla
A young inventor's journey through family and cultural challenges
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK
Published:22nd Jul '21
Should be back in stock very soon
In Listen, Layla, Layla faces personal and cultural challenges while pursuing her dreams of invention amidst family obligations and social upheaval.
In Listen, Layla, readers are reintroduced to the spirited Layla Kareem Abdel-Hafiz Hussein, a young Sudanese Australian inventor with dreams of making her mark on the world. As summer begins, Layla is excited to focus on her inventions for an upcoming grand design competition. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when her grandmother falls ill, prompting her family to travel back to Sudan. This sudden shift forces Layla to grapple with the complexities of family obligations, friendships, and her creative aspirations, leaving her feeling torn in multiple directions.
As Layla navigates her responsibilities, she must also confront the broader issues affecting her family and homeland, particularly the protests brewing in Sudan. The novel beautifully intertwines Layla's personal journey with the cultural and political challenges faced by her community, highlighting her determination to use her inventive skills to make a difference. The story captures the essence of the diaspora experience, showcasing Layla's resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity.
Listen, Layla is a vibrant own voices narrative that resonates with young readers, filled with humor, passion, and authenticity. It offers a unique perspective on identity, belonging, and the importance of family, making it a compelling read for anyone seeking a heartfelt story about courage and creativity.
Praise for You Must Be Layla: A laugh out loud story about making friends, carving your way in the world and having the confidence to do things your way. Layla is a fabulous, plucky protagonist, and her inventive attitude to surmounting hurdles is inspiring. The book is also an introduction to thinking about some of the barriers people of colour can face, illustrated by Layla's older brother Ozzie who has been applying for jobs and not even getting interviews. It offers an insight into normal Muslim family life...This story is fresh and funny and is an empowering read. * BookTrust *
Praise for You Must Be Layla: This warm, humorous account of a larger-than-life Sudanese girl navigating a posh Australian school is an engaging read for 12-plus. * The Guardian *
Praise for You Must Be Layla: I adored Layla's openness, her aptitude for shrugging off set-backs, taking suggestions on board and embracing change. As the You Must Be Layla title suggests, she's a one-of-a-kind heroine, and this funny, thought-provoking novel - the first children's book from inspirational Sudanese-born broadcaster, social advocate and mechanical engineer Yassmin Abdel-Magied - is a one-of-a-kind bundle of comedy and compassion. * Lovereading4kids *
Praise for You Must Be Layla: Yassmin Abdel-Magied's You Must Be Layla is a tonic, and a terrific debut...Underneath its buoyant humour is a timely wisdom about finding friends in an alien culture. * New Statesman *
Praise for You Must Be Layla: Sudanese-Australian activist Abdel-Magied's first novel is the sparkling tale of 13-year-old Layla, who moves to a new school, where she is the only pupil to wear a headscarf. * inews *
ISBN: 9780241524268
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 20mm
Weight: 226g
336 pages