Half my luck by Samera Kamaleddine

Readers will be lured in with the gorgeous cover of Half my luck, as well as the fact that it won the inaugural Matilda Prize and they will not be disappointed with the story of Layla Karimi, a girl who believes she has been cursed by the evil eye. Half Lebanese and half Australian, she does not fit in with either group and when the Lebanese group calling themselves The Cedar Army and led by her cousin Sufia, is wrongly accused of letting off a firework and injuring a young girl, and she knows the real culprit, she is faced with a real dilemma. Should she go to the police? Who can she trust?

The story is mostly set on a beach on the banks of the river, with Layla and her two friends, lying between the group of rich white kids, leaders of the popular group at school, and the Cedar Army, and her cousin Sufia. The sights and sounds of summer are brought to life as the teens lounge on the beach and buy treats from the kiosk.

The dual narrative is told from the point of view of Layla and Imogen, the sister of the girl who was injured and who once had been Layla’s friend until her parents decided that she was not suitable – daughter of a divorced parent and half Lebanese. The two voices give the reader an in-depth understanding of the two cultures and feelings and problems that both girls face. Layla’s grandmother is a wonderful character that readers will relate to, while Imogen’s mother, aiming for a life in politics, is much less likeable. Layla’s friendship with Jordan Michael, who works in the kiosk, is an outstanding part of the story. He offers Layla useful advice and helps her to realise that she can be her own cheerleader.

Relatable characters, events and themes of cultural diversity, belonging, ethics and friendship make this a worthwhile novel for a class novel or literature circle read. Extensive teacher’s notes are available.

Themes: Coming of age, Cultural diversity, Ethics, Friendship.

Pat Pledger