This hard-hitting novel won, in its original French edition: The Governor General's Award, The Alvine Belisle Award, and The Brive / Montreal Award. Nominee, Governor General's Literary Award for Translation (from French to English) Karim has journeyed a long way from his home in war-torn Beirut to his new high school in Quebec. Now he must travel the difficult road to a life without war. There is contempt and racism here, too. But there is also My-Lan, a new companion in a new and challenging country. It is an adventure behind the headlines and a lesson in life you couldn't learn in the classroom.