Bashir Lazhar

 Bashir Lazhar by Evelyne de la Chenelière, translated by Morwyn Brebner

“The blackboard, where everything is possible, because you can erase and start over.”

Bashir Lazhar escaped conflict to immigrate to Canada and took a job as a substitute teacher. But the grade six class he takes over is dealing with trauma of their own. Through his teaching, Bashir finds an escape from his colleagues’ intolerance and his government’s indifference. He imparts his love of learning to his students who in turn give him the gift of their courage and resilience, but his unorthodox approaches draw him into unpredictable territory. Timely and deeply moving, Bashir Lazhar explores the practical and emotional nuances of living in a multicultural society, the pain of loss and the power of imagination.

"Strangely, people were always talking to me about courage. How I might need it one day. How I should keep my courage close by, just in case.”