A Thousand Questions
on Goodreads (1,646)
What’s inside...
Set against the backdrop of Karachi, Pakistan, Saadia Faruqi’s middle grade novel tells the story of two girls navigating a summer of change and family upheaval. Mimi is not thrilled to be spending her summer in Karachi, Pakistan, with grandparents she’s never met. Secretly, she wishes to find her long-absent father, and plans to write to him in her beautiful new journal. The cook’s daughter, Sakina, still hasn’t told her parents that she’ll be accepted to school only if she can improve her English test score—but then, how could her family possibly afford to lose the money she earns working with her Abba in a rich family’s kitchen? Although the girls seem totally incompatible at first, as the summer goes on, Sakina and Mimi realize that they have plenty in common—and that they each need the other to get what they want most.
Age
8-12
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mimi
Sakina
Mimi'S Mother
Sakina'S Father
Mimi'S Grandmother
Discussion points
What similarities and differences do you see between yourself and the main characters, Mimi and Sakina?
How do the characters' experiences in the book change their understanding of friendship and family?
Why do you think asking questions is important in the story, and how does it help Mimi and Sakina?
What did you learn about Pakistani culture from the book? What was the most interesting part?
If you could ask any character in the book a question, who and what would you ask?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about their own experiences with friendship and family. Share your experiences too to make a deeper connection.
Discuss the importance of curiosity and asking questions, relating it to the book’s emphasis on understanding others.
Explore the cultural aspects of the book together. Perhaps, cook a Pakistani dish or watch a documentary to enrich the conversation.
Use the book's setting to facilitate discussions about diversity and acceptance, reinforcing these values shown by Mimi and Sakina.
Encourage your child to reflect on what they would ask the characters to understand their motivations and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing cultural diversity
Explanation: The story of two girls from different cultural backgrounds, Mimi and Sakina, learning about each other's lives, demonstrates the beauty of cultural diversity and mutual respect.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect peers from different cultures and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and empathy in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: The evolving friendship between Mimi and Sakina throughout the book highlights how trust and understanding can develop between individuals despite initial differences.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of building friendships based on trust and respect, regardless of initial perceptions or differences.
Example Lesson: Importance of family
Explanation: As both characters deal with their own family struggles, they learn to appreciate the role and value of family in their lives, reinforcing the bonds that hold them.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to cherish and understand their family ties better, fostering stronger family relationships even through challenges.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and the desire to learn
Explanation: Mimi's questions about her family history and Sakina's quest to improve her English reflect a strong desire to learn and grow personally.
Real-World Application: This lesson motivates children to stay curious and passionate about learning, understanding that personal growth comes from continuous learning and inquiry.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing personal challenges
Explanation: Both main characters show resilience through their personal challenges, such as Mimi’s identity questions and Sakina's life adjustments, emphasizing the strength in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of resilience and perseverance in difficult times, providing them with strategies to cope with and overcome their own challenges.