HUDA AND ME BY H. HAYEK

Huda and Me, is a story about family. Huda’s parents have had to fly back to Beirut to look after her mum’s very sick mother and because they have no family in Australia, the children are left with “Aunt” Amel. Trouble starts the minute her parents leave for the airport. Aunt Amel is crazy and sets them tasks that keep the siblings so busy they are exhausted all the time. The situation becomes so fraught that Huda decides her parents must be told. Contact via the phone is impossible, so Huda steals Aunt Amel’s credit card and buys tickets to Lebanon. She enlists the help of her favourite brother Akeal.

The story is told in the present and in the recent past, painting a picture of what has led the children to this desperate plan. Hayek’s descriptions of Huda, her siblings and crazy Aunt Amel create an atmosphere that is filled with emotion and at times is both funny and heat-warming. The tension builds through the book as we travel with Huda and Akeal and watch them grapple with the obstacles thrown in their way. The bond between Huda and Akeal is strong and a beautiful thing to witness. Themes of family, adversity, courage and culture run throughout this great modern-day adventure story. Middle grade readers will enjoy this story of taking hold of your life and running with it.

 For Ages: 9 – 13 years

Number of Pages: 142

Published: March 2021

Themes: Family, culture and courage