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Bannner: A Wish for Peace
 

French Awards

Cover of, LE CIEL TOMBE À CÔTÉ   PRIX DU LIVRE M. CHRISTIE 2003
(CHRISTIE BROWN & CO.)
FOR BEST BOOK IN FRENCH (AGES 12 AND UP)
LE CIEL TOMBE À CÔTÉ
MARIE-FRANCINE HÉBERT
MONTRÉAL: QUÉBEC AMÉRIQUE,
2003. 122 P.
(TITAN JEUNESSE; 53)
ISBN 2764402597
AGES 14 AND UP

After a humiliating failure in class, Mona starts comparing the poverty of her daily life with the prosperity of her young neighbour Suson. She also becomes envious of her neighbour Jon, a young Black boy who gets good grades because he expresses himself so well. Mona serves as guardian angel to her little sister Angélique, who likes to avoid stressful situations by climbing a tree and pretending she is a bird. The sisters live near a small lake, where they often take refuge from a reality that is sometimes just too harsh. One day, they witness a troubling scene; it makes them realize that other people's lives may not be as rosy as they seem.

This novel tells a story that young people will find moving, and possibly even distressing. But each of its difficult themes -- racism, sexual abuse, low self-esteem -- is dealt with in a sensitive and poetic way. The vocabulary, language level and dialogue bring to life a world whose negative aspects are unfortunately only too real. We live, breathe and suffer with the characters. But in the end, beyond all the dreadful secrets, there appears a glimmer of hope.

-PB


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Date Created: 2005-11-04
Date Modified: 2005-11-04

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