An Emotion of Great Delight
on Goodreads (11,220)
What’s inside...
From bestselling and National Book Award-nominated author Tahereh Mafi comes a stunning novel about love and loneliness, navigating the hyphen of dual identity, and reclaiming your right to joy--even when you're trapped in the amber of sorrow. It's 2003, several months since the US officially declared war on Iraq, and the American political world has evolved. Tensions are high, hate crimes are on the rise, FBI agents are infiltrating local mosques, and the Muslim community is harassed and targeted more than ever. Shadi, who wears hijab, keeps her head down. She's too busy drowning in her own troubles to find the time to deal with bigots. Shadi is named for joy, but she's haunted by sorrow. Her brother is dead, her father is dying, her mother is falling apart, and her best friend has mysteriously dropped out of her life. And then, of course, there's the small matter of her heart-- It's broken. Shadi tries to navigate her crumbling world by soldiering through, saying nothing. She devours her own pain, each day retreating farther and farther inside herself until finally, one day, everything changes. She explodes. An Emotion of Great Delight is a searing look into the world of a single Muslim family in the wake of 9/11. It's about a child of immigrants forging a blurry identity, falling in love, and finding hope--in the midst of a modern war.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
13-17
Length
248 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Shadi, the main character, manages her feelings of grief and loss throughout the story?
What role does friendship play in Shadi's journey? Can you relate any of her experiences to your own friendships?
How do the events of 9/11 affect Shadi's family and community? Why is it important to understand different perspectives in historical events?
Shadi faces many challenges, yet she continues to move forward. What motivates her to keep going? What motivates you in difficult times?
What did you learn about the importance of empathy and understanding from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book’s events, comparing them to any of their own experiences.
Discuss how resilience can be a powerful tool in facing personal and communal challenges, and ask your child to think of examples from their own lives.
Highlight the historical context of the book (post-9/11 America), helping them understand the impact of significant events on individual lives and communities.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of community and support systems in overcoming adversity.
Prompt your child to think about empathy by discussing how understanding different perspectives can lead to stronger connections with others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing personal and societal challenges
Explanation: The protagonist navigates complex emotions and situations amidst personal grief and societal prejudice, demonstrating strength and adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adapt and stay strong through their own challenges, whether at school or in their personal lives.
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing emotions
Explanation: Throughout the book, the main character experiences a myriad of emotions, offering a deep exploration of handling sorrow and joy alike.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand their feelings better and encourage them to express their emotions in healthy ways.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: The story portrays diverse experiences and challenges faced by the characters, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect differences among their peers, promoting inclusivity and understanding in real-life interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of family and community support
Explanation: In the book, support from family and friends plays a crucial role in the protagonist's journey towards healing and growth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to value and seek support from their own family and community, reinforcing social bonds and collective coping mechanisms.