A Story About Truth-Seeking and Community from the Perspective of an Immigrant Child
Premise:
- Setting: Wallingford, Connecticut (present day and flashbacks to 1991)
- Characters: Youssef Fam (young boy, protagonist), Youssef’s parents, Amina & Amir (cousins), Teacher
- Circumstances: Youssef, a recent immigrant from Morocco, struggles with his first school assignment in America due to ‘reliable’ but conflicting information.
Plot:
- Inciting Incident: Youssef receives a “Check Minus” on his assignment about Moses Y Beach because of the birth date reported.
- Rising Action: Youssef is determined to prove his research is correct and seeks help from his cousins.
- Climax: Youssef and his cousins sneak into the Center Street Cemetery at night to make a rubbing of the inscription on Moses Y Beach’s grave.
- Falling Action: Youssef presents the rubbing to his teacher, who acknowledges that Youssef used a more reliable information source.
- Resolution: Youssef learns the value of fact-checking and primary sources.
Character:
- Youssef Fam: The protagonist, a curious and determined young Muslim boy, new to America. He navigates feeling accepted. He places significant importance in achieving a good grade on his first report about his new community. Frustrated by the injustice of a ‘check minus’grade he sets out to prove his report is the truth.
- Teacher: A supportive figure realizes that Youssef reported the correct date of birth. She responds with action and insight.
- Amina & Amir: Youssef’s helpful cousins assist him in his quest.
Prose:
- The story uses vivid descriptions & illustrations to bring the setting and characters to life.
- The dialogue is natural and reflects the characters’ personalities.
- The story uses flashbacks to add depth to the narrative.
Theme:
- The importance of fact-checking and seeking reliable sources.
- The challenges of cultural adaptation and language barriers.
- The value of perseverance and standing up for what you believe in.
- Learn from mistakes and the importance of admitting them.
The immigrant experience and the frustration of being misunderstood are themes that can resonate with a wide audience of any age. The use of flashbacks and a touch of mystery keeps the story engaging.
Here are some additional details:
Vivid descriptions and illustrations bring the setting of Wallingford to life, especially the contrast between Youssef’s memories of Morocco and his new American surroundings.
The story portrays the complex emotions of a young boy dealing with cultural adjustment and the pressure to succeed in a new school
The story follows Youssef Fam, a young Moroccan immigrant navigating his first school assignment in America. The story unfolds through flashbacks and present-day narration, weaving a tapestry of cultural adjustment, academic challenges, and the pursuit of truth.
Readers feel the bustling energy of the Wallingford town center, the hushed reverence of the shared Ramadan feast, and the echoing vastness of the unfamiliar school hallways. They sense Youssef’s frustration with the language barrier, determination to excel, and the sting of receiving a seemingly undeserved bad grade.
The central conflict, Youssef’s quest to prove the “correct” birth date of Moses Y Beach, is the vehicle for exploring themes of cultural difference and the importance of fact-checking. Youssef’s initial reliance on information gleaned from the cemetery obelisk, contrasting with the library’s seemingly authoritative encyclopedias, highlights the potential for misinformation and the need for critical thinking.
The supporting characters, particularly Youssef’s cousins Amina and Amir, add depth and warmth to the story. Amina’s pragmatism complements Youssef’s enthusiasm, while Amir’s adventurous spirit fuels their daring mission to the cemetery. The teacher, while initially skeptical, ultimately demonstrates a willingness to learn and admit her mistake, a quality that adds a layer of realism and nuance.
The story’s emotional core lies in Youssef’s journey of self-discovery. He grapples with feelings of isolation and insecurity, but ultimately finds his voice and learns to stand up for what he believes in. The resolution, where the teacher acknowledges Youssef’s effort and removes the “Check Minus,” underscores the importance of perseverance.
The Check Minus is not without a touch of mystery. The historical figure of Moses Y Beach remains somewhat enigmatic, leaving the reader curious to learn more about his connection to the Associated Press. This subtle intrigue adds another layer of interest to the story.
Gratitude to the talented community creators who helped publish this book. Key contributors: Author Josiah Houston, Illustrator Stefania Munzi, Designer Solomon Sheffield aided by a dozen researchers & reviewers who helped tie all the diverse ideas together.