52 pages • 1 hour read
A Place at the Table
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Background
Cultural Context: Contemporary US Immigration
US immigration frequently generates various discussions. Two relevant issues to A Place at the Table are why people choose to immigrate to the US and the challenges they face during the process and once they settle into the US. Part of what Saadia Faruqi accomplishes in the novel is exploring the triumphs and struggles of those coming to the US seeking new opportunities. She aims to make the content accessible to a younger audience by using young main characters and contextualizing immigration issues through a lens that a younger, middle-grade reader can easily follow.
Although the US promotes itself as a land of opportunity, immigrants seeking better lives for themselves and their families often struggle to integrate into everyday life in the US. They face language barriers, cultural dysphoria, and discrimination. Though individuals traveling to the US find employment opportunities, they can face increased discrimination from their coworkers and employers, such as uncouth comments and using company policy to justify paying certain groups less than those born in the US. A 2023 report cites how immigrated individuals who find jobs struggle to afford necessities such as housing and food (“Understanding the U.S. Immigrant Experience: The 2023 KFF/LA Times Survey of Immigrants - Findings - 10217.” KFF, 17 Sept. 2023).
Despite the challenges they face, there are several reasons why people come to the US. Among the most cited reasons is financial stability. Though they risk being paid less than their peers, immigrants still find employment, education, and safety by immigrating to the US. In the contemporary US, many travelers can find and join communities with others from similar racial and ethnic backgrounds. These communities generate spaces for people who seek familiarity and camaraderie. In a foreign land, this sense of community and belonging is a beacon of hope for many immigrants.
Authorial Context: Saadia Faruqi
Faruqi, a Pakistani American author, has dedicated her career to writing middle-grade and children’s literature that addresses the challenges faced by multi-racial families and children in the US. Her novel Yusef Azeem Is Not a Hero (2021) is a prime example of her work. The book tells the story of the protagonist, Yusef, and explores the profound impacts of September 11, 2001, on the Muslim American community. Throughout her career, Faruqi has been a voice for immigrant families, shedding light on their unique challenges in the 21st century. Her stories often revolve around families that include parents or grandparents who moved to the US and children or grandchildren who are first-generation citizens. Her work aims to foster respect and understanding among diverse communities.
Before she became a novelist, Faruqi worked as a grant writer. She then wrote for a small Texas newspaper to combat harmful stereotypes perpetuated by society. Faruqi knew she wanted to write longer works that accomplished the same goal. She credits her creative process to her cultural background. She grew up with family members and teachers who frequently told influential stories about her ancestors and significant religious figures; she internalized those stories and chose to continue the tradition by writing novels that fought biased beliefs about Pakistani Americans and Islam.
In A Place at the Table, Faruqi continues her tradition of portraying positive interactions between children of different cultures and faiths to emphasize how similar people can be. To highlight these similarities, she places her two main characters—one Pakistani American and the other Jewish—in a cooking class, where they bond over their love of food. Though the two 11-year-olds have different backgrounds and experiences, Faruqi highlights what makes them similar and brings them together rather than emphasizing what makes them different. By doing so, Faruqi encourages her young audience to learn about others and limit assumed knowledge based on stereotypes and biases.
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