Half My Luck
Kuhusu kitabu hiki cha kusikiliza
From the winner of the inaugural Matilda Prize comes a heartwarming coming-of-age story about growing up in Australia when you're caught between two cultures
Layla Karimi has been cursed by the evil eye.
Well, that's what Layla's superstitious grandmother tells her. And Layla reckons it makes sense as she's sort of Australian and sort of Lebanese: a 'halfie' who doesn't really fit into either world.
And when all hell breaks loose at the first beach party of the summer, Layla finds herself caught between her friends and the Lebanese kids who call themselves 'the Cedar Army' (of which her cousin Sufia is the Queen Bee). One group has been wrongfully accused and Layla knows the truth that would clear their name.
But will she speak up?
PRAISE
'a warm-hearted and authentic coming-of-age story about the impact of race and place on our sense of self and belonging ... perfect for fans of other recent Own Voices releases like Sunburnt Veils by Sara Haghdoosti and Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim' - Mischa Parkee, Books + Publishing
Kuhusu mwandishi
Samera Kamaleddine has considered herself a writer since she got her first creative writing certificate in kindergarten. She went on to become a journalist, writing about everything from friendship to body confidence for young women's magazines. Now, she's the author of Half My Luck (Matilda Prize winner 2021), The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart (shortlisted for CBCA Book of the Year for Younger Readers 2024) and the Clueless series. She also moonlights as a librarian.
