You Must Be Layla
#1 in Layla Series
on Goodreads (459)
What’s inside...
Layla's mind goes a million miles a minute, so does her mouth – unfortunately her better judgement can take a while to catch up! Although she believes she was justified for doing what she did, a suspension certainly isn't the way she would have wished to begin her time at her fancy new high school. Despite the setback, Layla's determined to show everyone that she does deserve her scholarship and sets her sights on winning a big invention competition. But where to begin? Looking outside and in, Layla will need to come to terms with who she is and who she wants to be if she has any chance of succeeding. Jam-packed with heart and humour, You Must Be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied reveals a powerful new voice in children’s writing. Touching on the migrant experience and exploring thought-provoking themes relevant to all teens, this book shows the strength required to be a Queen with a capital ‘Q’.
Character compass
Layla
Discussion points
What challenges did Layla face when she started her new school and how did she overcome them?
How does Layla's identity as a Sudanese-Australian influence her interactions with others?
Why do you think Layla is passionate about engineering and how does this passion help define her character?
Discuss how Layla's relationship with her family supports her through her school experiences. What can we learn from their dynamic?
How do the themes of resilience and perseverance show up in the story? Can you relate to these themes in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Foster a welcoming space for open dialogue, allowing the child to express their thoughts without interruption. Use examples from the book to guide the discussion and connect them to real-life scenarios your child might encounter. Encourage your child to think about how they would react in Layla’s situations, promoting empathy and understanding. Highlight Layla’s strengths and ask your child to identify their own strengths and how they can use them to overcome challenges. End your discussion by asking your child what they learned from Layla’s story and how they might apply these lessons in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Layla demonstrates resilience as she navigates being one of the few students of Sudanese descent at a prestigious school, facing both academic challenges and racial prejudice.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persevere through their personal challenges, whether at school or in social situations, fostering a strong sense of self-worth and determination.
Example Lesson: Importance of cultural identity
Explanation: Layla takes pride in her cultural heritage and finds strength in her identity, despite facing discrimination.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace and celebrate their own and others' cultural backgrounds, promoting diversity and inclusion in their communities.
Example Lesson: Innovation and problem-solving
Explanation: Layla uses her knowledge and creativity to lead her team to victory in a robotics competition, showcasing her innovative thinking skills.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to use critical thinking and creativity to solve problems and overcome obstacles in academic and everyday scenarios.
Example Lesson: Empathy and friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Layla learns to form deep connections with others who are different from her, understanding their perspectives and forming meaningful friendships.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of empathy, encouraging them to build strong, supportive relationships with peers.
Example Lesson: Courage to stand up for oneself
Explanation: Layla bravely confronts the biases and stereotypes she faces, advocating for herself and others.
Real-World Application: This empowers children to assertively stand up against unfair treatment or bullying, fostering a sense of justice and self-respect.