Swahili for Beginners

Finally it was summer Vacation! Georgie and her friend Jodi had a lot of plans of fun things to do. While surfing the net one day, Georgie came upon an international penpal site. She starts writing to one Ellie Mwanza from Tanzania. The girls exchange facts about their lives and Georgie decides that she wants to visit Ellie. So she starts to earn the money to travel. In the meantime, her friend Jodi's sister develops an eating disorder. Well written book filled with facts about the cultures of both countries.

Swahili for Beginners tells the story of 13-year-old Georgie Wilde, who dreams of great adventures and even greater social engagement with the wider world. When Georgie begins exchanging letters with Ellie, an African pen pal, she develops a powerful desire to visit her in her small Tanzanian village. Parents and circumstances conspire against her until one day, she hatches a plan.

The girls' correspondence is fascinating and may inspire students to explore the social context of the story. The many themes — Internet safety, homelessness, eating disorders, divorce, poverty, globalization, social justice, activism and more – are given critical consideration without getting preachy about it. Even though the issues may seem overwhelming in their complexity, the material is presented in a hopeful and positive light.

Author Lisa Joyal, an assistant crown attorney in Toronto, has constructed a moving novel that could motivate journal writing, research, discussions and activism. It would make an excellent cross-curricular study for language arts, media literacy and social studies in junior grades.

Swahili for Beginners is a winner of the silver 2008 Nautilus Book Award, which recognizes books that contribute to positive social change, spiritual growth, conscious living and responsible leadership.

.... This fine first novel by Toronto author Lisa Joyal is a restrained coming-of-age story without the raw language of many of its counterparts in this genre. The usual interests of young teens are present, but the serious theme of social responsibility in the global village makes the story both entertaining and inspirational for today's proactive teens who are trying to make a difference for the better in some of the poorest parts of the world. A perfect summer read for girls 10 to 14.

Just because a book is geared towards preteens doesn't mean that it can't include heavy issues. Swahili for Beginners, by Lisa Joyal, is proof of this.

The book starts off like virtually every other pen-pal book out there: girl writes to pen-pal and asks ridiculous questions based on prior knowledge of country, pen-pal writes back and blow away preconceived notions. But it doesn't end there. This book has many endearing and thought-provoking aspects that set it apart from the rest.

The main character, Georgie, is a spunky, adventurous girl with big plans and even bigger dreams. With her red hair, active imagination and caring heart, she's a modern-day Anne Shirley. And, much like Anne, she's not without her problems. With the support of her best friend, Jodi, and her Tanzanian pen pal, Ellie, Georgie struggles to come to terms with everything from her parents' divorce to her first crush.

But this isn't just a book about family and friend issues, and that's what makes it such a fresh read. The most engaging part of the novel is the exchange of letters between Ellie and Georgie, which doesn't just serve to educate the reader about life in Africa and juxtapose it against Canadian life (the author movingly parallels eating disorders in North America with famine on the other side of the world). It also inspires the readrs to learn more about the world beyond their front door.

If this book doesn't make you want to go out there and change the world — or, at the very least, get a pen-pal — then I don't know what will. It's this inspiring nature that sets Swahili for Beginners apart from every other young adult book I've read. And this, combined with Swahili words sprinkled throughout, makes it an unforgettable read.

...Swahili for Beginners is an informative story about the uncertainties, changes, dreams and hopes of adolescence; the sadness and adjustments surrounding divorce; the dangers, confusions, and grief that come with anorexia; the importance of friendship and adventure; and foremost, this novel sheds light on issues prevalent all over Africa, and on the power our youth have to look beyond their own circumstances and change the lives of others, either at home or half a world away.

... 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.

Swahili for Beginners is an admirable first-novel from Toronto lawyer Lisa Joyal... .

What I really found exceptional about Swahili for Beginners was the fact that Lisa Joyal explored many issues, on a global level. This is very unlike other young adult novels out there, which depict glamorous young people living in Hollywood or New York who are difficult to relate to. Georgie Wilde is a down-to-earth heroine — one I, and others, can identify with.

This book is certainly a good find. It presents global issues that are all over television and magazines today, but through a context that puts them into a valuable perspective. I would recommend this book for anyone and everyone, and for it not to be branded by its 'young adult' genre. Swahili for Beginners is a gem of a book, and rather read-worthy.
****

Though Lisa Joyal's well-written novel, Swahili for Beginners, is described for young adult readers, it will please thoughtful readers ages 9 and up, including I'm sure some teens. Thirteen-year-old Georgie Wilde starts exchanging pen pal letters with a Tanzanian girl her own age. That opens Georgie's eyes to what life is like there. And, interestingly, it also leads to insights about Georgie's own life, relationships, and problems. Georgie is a determined, appealing young girl. Highly recommended.