Poet Wali Shah teams up with veteran YA author Eric Walters to tell the coming-of-age tale of Ali Khan, a Pakistani Canadian who struggles to fit in with his friends at school while trying to meet his parents’ strict academic and behavioural expectations. The novel also charts the Khan family’s positive and negative experiences as immigrants to Canada. The authors give Ali strong role models for countering the racism and Islamophobia he faces from both strangers and friends.

Readers of all backgrounds will identify with Ali as he navigates the pressures of eighth grade, and his confessional poetry would pair nicely with a unit on creative writing or representation and authentic voice. Call Me Al would make an engaging full-class novel study or lit circle, as its exploration of race, Islamic traditions, and allyship would stir rich conversations about immigrant experiences in Canada, diversity versus conformity, and how words and compassion can combat ignorance and hatred.

Cautions / Content Warnings: Racist slurs and violence against Pakistani immigrants
Other End Matter: Teacher’s guide
Images: None
Bibliography: No
Index: No

Evaluator: Peter T., High School Teacher, BC Books for Schools

Growing up, Wali Shah faced pressure from his Pakistani-immigrant parents to choose a profession that would justify their many sacrifices. He surprised them by becoming a poet and public speaker, inspiring youth at hundreds of schools with his powerful, provocative verse. He is a fresh and current voice of the times at a diverse range of corporate events, has delivered TED talks, and once closed out a keynote speech made by President Barack Obama. Recently he served as poet laureate for the City of Mississauga, Ontario.

Wali Shah's profile page

Eric Walters is the author of many acclaimed and bestselling novels for children and young adults. His novels have won numerous awards, including the Silver Birch, Blue Heron, Red Maple, Snow Willow, Ruth Schwartz, and Tiny Torgi, and have received honours from the Canadian Library Association Book Awards and UNESCO's international award for Literature in Service of Tolerance.

Eric lives in Mississauga with his wife, Anita, and three children, Christina, Nicholas, and Julia. When not writing or touring across the country speaking to school groups, Eric spends time playing or watching soccer and basketball, or playing the saxophone.

To find out more about Eric and his novels, or to arrange for him to speak at your school, visit his website at www.ericwalters.net.

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Eric Walters' profile page

“A comprehensive story about modern Canadian issues. Wali Shah and Eric Walters thoroughly discuss situations faced by immigrant families in Canada, such as racism, non-recognition of foreign credentials, and religious and cultural stereotypes.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“A timely and highly relevant story, Call Me Al seems both ripped from today’s headlines and sharply reflective of contemporary diverse pre-teens’ experiences and thinking… original, engrossing, and inspiring. Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“This coming-of-age story examines issues that are relatable to many Muslim readers, including self-censoring of one’s identity, deflecting racist banter, and facing hate crimes…Ali’s teacher’s persistent efforts to reach him, his grandfather’s support, and his friends’ solidarity offer road maps for building community. A wholesome story with room and grace for all the characters to learn and grow.”

Kirkus Reviews