Being a Risk-Taker is more than just thrill-seeking or stepping into the unknown—it’s about standing up for what’s right, challenging injustice, and daring to carve out your own path despite the risks. In Slow Noodles by Chantha Nguon and This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed, we see two incredible women who embody this IB Learner Profile trait in different but equally powerful ways. Through survival, resistance, and the fight for identity, these books remind us that taking risks isn’t just about courage—it’s about resilience, conviction, and the determination to make a difference.

Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes by Chantha Nguon 

“They can never know their grandparents, but I want them to know the tastes of old Cambodia.”

I slow read this book—taking a full month to savor each word of its 300 pages—and it was worth every moment. I laughed, I cried, and then I cried some more. Slow Noodles is more than a memoir; it’s a testament to resilience, identity, and the quiet yet extraordinary bravery of being a Risk-Taker.

Chantha Nguon’s two-decade refugee journey through war, displacement, and rebuilding her life is nothing short of remarkable. She steps into the unknown, embraces uncertainty, and finds strength in adversity, showing us that risk-taking isn’t just about bold leaps—it’s about the courage to survive, to speak our truths, and to start over even when the odds are stacked against us.

“If a father dies, the children eat rice with fish. If a mother dies, the children sleep on a leaf.” It means that when you lose your mother, you lose everything. She is the roof over your head and the rice in your bowl. She is your strength.

However, Slow Noodles isn’t just a story of survival; it’s a love letter to cultural identity, woven together with the flavors and traditions of Cambodian cuisine. Nguon’s storytelling is rich and immersive. Her writing is even more vibrant by her multilingual background—Khmer, Vietnamese, French, and English—all of which subtly shape the book’s tone and style.

This is the kind of book that demands time, reflection, and, like a slow-cooked dish, appreciation for every layer of meaning. Powerful, beautifully written, and deeply moving, Slow Noodles lingers in the heart long after the final page.

“…the past never goes away. The fear and pain are still there, buried in our brains like mines. It is better to defuse them than to leave them entombed, quietly waiting for a single misstep. That is why I am telling my story.”

Slow Noodles: A Cambodian Memoir of Love, Loss, and Family Recipes

Written by Chantha Nguon

2024, Algonquin Books

ISBN: 978-1643753492

This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed

Like many books that challenge censorship and racism, Samira Ahmed’s This Book Won’t Burn is another powerful and thought-provoking novel that champions the courage to challenge the status quo, making it a perfect embodiment of the IB Learner Profile’s Risk-Taker attribute. Through the journey of Noor Khan, a young Desi Muslim teen girl, navigating a world of censorship and repression, the story ignites a call for action, encouraging readers to face challenges head-on and embrace the transformative power of storytelling.

Noor’s bravery in confronting societal norms and oppressive forces highlights the essence of being a risk-taker. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and freedom of expression showcases the courage required to explore new ideas, even in the face of uncertainty. Ahmed skillfully portrays how stepping outside one’s comfort zone fosters personal growth, a critical aspect of the IB philosophy.

The novel also delves deeply into controversial themes such as censorship, identity, and the power dynamics of storytelling. By addressing these topics, Ahmed encourages readers to question established norms and engage in meaningful discussions that promote growth and understanding. Noor’s resilience in standing up for her beliefs serves as an inspiring model for young readers, showing that risk-taking often leads to significant personal and societal change.

Beyond its rich themes, This Book Won’t Burn is a celebration of the enduring power of books and ideas, reinforcing the importance of challenging oppressive forces that threaten intellectual freedom. The narrative resonates deeply with IB principles, particularly the emphasis on critical thinking, open-mindedness, and resilience.

In summary, This Book Won’t Burn is a satisfying story that inspires readers to take thoughtful risks, question authority, and value the transformative potential of knowledge and self-expression. Ahmed’s writing not only tells a story of resistance and growth but also encourages young minds to embrace their roles as active, courageous participants in shaping a better world.

The Book Won’t Burn 

Written by Samira Ahmed

2024, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780316547840

From the flavors of Cambodia to the battlegrounds of censorship, Slow Noodles and This Book Won’t Burn tell stories of women who refuse to be silenced. Whether through food or the written word, both books remind us that being a Risk-Taker means holding onto who we are, even when the world pushes back. So, as you turn the pages, ask yourself—what risks are worth taking in your own story?

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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.