The Truth About Peacock Blue
on Goodreads (159)
What’s inside...
A powerful story about one girl's fight for justice in Pakistan. Everything changes for Aster the night her brother dies. Suddenly she's the only hope of the family, and instead of an early marriage to a boy from her small village in Pakistan, her parents decide to send her to the government high school in her brother's place. Aster is excited about this unexpected opportunity for a career, but, as a Christian, she is unprepared for the difficulties of attending a Muslim school: her fellow students are far from welcoming and one of her teachers takes an instant dislike to her. One day, she is accused of intentionally making a spelling mistake to insult the holy prophet. Her teacher is incensed and accuses her of blasphemy. A violent crowd forms outside the school and Aster is taken to jail to be tried at a later date. A young social justice lawyer takes up her case, and Aster's Australian cousin, Maryam, starts an online campaign to free Aster. But will it be enough to save her?
Age
13-16
Length
253 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Aster feels when she faces challenges at her new school, and how would you feel in her situation?
Why is it important to respect and celebrate cultural differences, as seen in the story?
What are some ways Aster tries to remain true to herself and her beliefs, and how can this inspire you?
How do the actions of supportive characters influence Aster's experience, and what does this teach us about friendship and empathy?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in Aster's shoes, fostering empathy and understanding of her experiences and emotions.
Highlight the significance of cultural diversity and acceptance, discussing how this enhances personal and community growth.
Discuss the values of staying true to oneself, using examples from the book to illustrate the positive outcomes of such integrity.
Identify and appreciate the roles of supportive characters, prompting conversations about the importance of support systems in overcoming challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The protagonist, Aster, faces challenging circumstances that foster a deep sense of empathy in readers as they experience her struggles and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and share the feelings of their peers, helping to build compassionate relationships.
Example Lesson: The importance of education
Explanation: Despite facing adversity, Aster's journey underscores the value of education and its role in empowering individuals.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate their educational opportunities and to use learning as a tool for personal growth.
Example Lesson: Standing up for justice
Explanation: Aster's story brings attention to issues of fairness and the importance of fighting for what is right, even when it is difficult.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize situations where justice is needed and feel inspired to act in defense of fairness in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Aster shows remarkable resilience, which helps her navigate through various hardships.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand that they, too, can find strength within themselves to overcome obstacles and challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Cultural awareness and respect
Explanation: The story introduces readers to different cultural aspects through Aster's experiences, promoting respect and appreciation for diversity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to embrace and respect cultural differences, leading to more inclusive environments both at school and in broader social contexts.