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“Fifth grader Mélie learns that her father is coming to live with them. Mélie has never met her father, Sami, who’s been imprisoned in an unnamed country for years. …Mélie resents these changes, even as she longs for true connection and wonders what a “real” family is. …Through art and poetry, the two grow closer, and the family draw strength from one another as Papa grapples with his trauma. …A poignant story of trauma, healing, and familial love.”

– Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Taming Papa

Written by Mylène Goupil and Shelley Tanaka (Translator)
Published by Groundwood Books

Mélie doesn’t know how to relate to her father, a political prisoner in another country whom she has never met, when he is released and immigrates to join her family in Montreal.

“Where I come from, you have to say the same things as everyone else or keep quiet,” Mélie’s mother tells her. “And your father is not someone who knows how to keep quiet. Or say the same thing as everyone else. So that got him in trouble.”

However, ever since he came into Mélie’s life, keeping quiet is the only thing her father has done. Partly because Sami doesn’t speak the same language as his daughter, and partly because he doesn’t know how to live as a free man anymore. Mélie has to tame him, like the kitten that she just found, and like Mr. Xavier and his partner seem to be doing with Mei-Li, the little girl they recently adopted. Things that are worthwhile aren’t always easy.

Primary ISBN: 9781773067230
Publication Date: March 2024
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Age 09 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Canada (Montreal)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Immigrant, 1st Generation

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