From the winner of the inaugural Matilda Children's Literature 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 could help clear them. But will she speak up?
Written by: Samera Kamaleddine
Narrated by: Sophie Loughran
Recommended for: 13+
To share a different story of growing up in Australia.
Q2. What challenges did you face?
Having to relive my adolescent trauma!
Q3. Why are audiobooks important?
I recently saw the quote "an audiobook is reading too" and thought how true that is for people who don't come from an English-speaking background or maybe have learning difficulties or a disability and still want to experience the joy of books.
Photo credit: Nikki Malvar, Heist Creative
Samera Kamaleddine is a Sydney-based journalist who spent the early part of her career writing about boys, annoying parents and friendship dramas in teen magazines including Dolly and Girlfriend.
When she’s not writing (and sometimes when she is), you can find her lolling about on the beach. Half My Luck is her first novel.
Bolinda is a world-leading audiobook and technology company. Entrepreneurial by nature, their mission is to serve the world and inspire people to live their best lives through the power of storytelling.
BorrowBox is a digital library experience that gives readers and listeners access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for free, with nothing more than a quick download and the details on their library card.
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