Looking for a heartwarming story that stirs up curiosity and celebrates cultural diversity? A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan is a middle-grade novel that beautifully connects the IB Learner Profile attribute of being Knowledgeable with the transformative power of friendship, food, and community.

The story introduces Sara, a Pakistani American navigating the challenges of a new school, and Elizabeth, a British-Jewish girl dealing with family struggles. Though their worlds seem miles apart, the two form an unexpected bond in a cooking club where they team up to create the perfect dish for a contest. But this book is much more than a fun tale of culinary adventures—it’s a thoughtful exploration of learning, growth, and understanding.

Cultivating Knowledge Through Culture and Cooking

Sara and Elizabeth’s journey is rooted in a deep exploration of their cultural identities. Sara’s rich knowledge of South Asian cuisine is not only a way to stay connected to her roots but also a window into her world that she opens for Elizabeth. In return, Elizabeth shares her own British-Jewish traditions, sparking meaningful exchanges that highlight how knowledge of one’s heritage can pave the way for connection and mutual respect.

The cooking club becomes a classroom of its own, where the girls learn to adapt recipes, solve problems, and embrace creativity. This hands-on experience teaches them to think critically and work collaboratively, fostering a growth mindset as they overcome challenges in the kitchen.

Building Knowledge Beyond the Kitchen

The novel also dives into complex social issues. Sara’s experience with racism and cultural misunderstandings in her school is a powerful thread, showing how knowledge can empower individuals to stand up against injustice. Elizabeth, too, grows as she gains insight into Sara’s struggles while managing her own family challenges, including her mother’s depression.

As the girls share their stories, they develop empathy and resilience, transforming their personal experiences into opportunities for learning. The book also highlights the role of community in shaping identity, as Sara and Elizabeth’s friendship sparks connections among families and classmates, proving that knowledge grows when shared.

Why This Book Matters

A Place at the Table invites readers to reflect on their own identities while encouraging them to embrace the richness of diversity around them. Reading this book is truly an enriching and eye-opening experience. I learned that “Desi” refers to South Asians living abroad, a term that added depth to my understanding of Sara’s cultural identity and the broader themes of the book. What’s more, I also found myself learning not only about the richness of Pakistani and South Asian cuisine and Jewish traditions but also about the power of shared knowledge to break down barriers. 

The vivid contrast between the girls’ rich knowledge and deep understanding of their own cultures and the ignorance they encounter from others serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness:

“The first thing I’ll be teaching you to cook is rice with potatoes. In my language, we call it tahari. It’s very simple and quick.”

“Tahari? I thought he was a fashion designer.”

Through cultural awareness, problem-solving in the kitchen, and meaningful dialogue about social justice, Sara and Elizabeth exemplify what it means to be truly knowledgeable. Whether you’re an advanturous chef or simply someone who loves a good story about friendship and growth, this book serves up a delicious reminder that learning is all around us—especially when we’re willing to share a place at the table.

A Place at the Table 

Written by Saadia Faruqi & Laura Shovan, Illustrated by Laura Shovan

2022, Clarion Books

ISBN: 9780358665984

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Eleanor Duggan is a passionate children’s book reader, a storytelling enchantress, an aspiring globetrotter, a part-time book crafter, and an impassioned foodie who is a cooking disaster. She is more known as an international school teacher-librarian, Founding Chair of the Toucan Award, and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. She is a Taiwanese with a Belgian soul and is currently enjoying her life as a citizen of the world with her daughter and their 2 one-of-a-kind cats. You may find her via The Third Culture Librarian

GLLI Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in posts on this site are the individual author’s and are not indicative of the views of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative.