A Place at the Table
Video review by Aliyah
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Parent Guide
When 6th graders Elizabeth and Sara meet in an after-school South Asian cooking class, it seems like they have nothing in common. Elizabeth is Jewish, she’s been in the public school her whole life, and she loves cooking. Sara just transferred from a small Islamic school, she loves to draw, she’s only in the cooking class because her mother happens to be the teacher.
As the girls get to know each other, they learn they share a lot more than they ever realized. Both girls are worried about their mothers; Elizabeth’s mother has been struggling with depression ever since her own mother, Elizabeth’s grandmother, died back in England. Meanwhile, Sara’s mother runs a struggling catering business, and money is tight in the family. Plus, neither girl is quite sure where she belongs; Elizabeth is Jewish, but is she Jewish enough? And as a Pakistani-American, Sara and her family face racist comments on a regular basis, including from Maddy, Elizabeth’s best friend.
When the girls are paired up to compete in the school’s International Food Festival, they realize they make good cooking partners. But can they overcome their differences and trust each other enough to become good friends?
Parent Guide
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Deliciously Powerful
“A Place at the Table” is an amazing, moving, mouth-watering novel. The story tells the friendship of two different girls, Elizabeth, who’s Jewish/American/British and Sara, who’s Pakastinian, that come together in a cooking class. The book really makes you think about discrimination and the story dives deep in to themes like belonging and exceptance. The food in this book makes your mouth water and makes you want to try new foods. The celebrations and rituals of Elizabeth and Sara make you want to learn about new cultures. The stories from both the girls' perspectives make you want to keep learning about their inspirational friendship. The book has powerful, heartbreaking scenes, yet goofy, fun ones too. It is an AMAZING book about friendship, family, discrimination, belonging and FOOD!