About This Book
"Here to Stay" is a powerful young adult novel that tackles themes of identity, prejudice, and finding one's voice through the story of Bijan Majidi. After a triumphant basketball game, Bijan, who is Middle Eastern, becomes the victim of a racist cyberbullying attack. The book explores his internal struggle between wanting to ignore the incident and the necessity of confronting Islamophobia and discrimination. It's an honest and often humorous look at high school life, the complexities of friendship, and the courage it takes to speak out. Ideal for ages 12-18, this book provides a strong platform for discussing social justice, allyship, and the impact of online hate.
When a cyberbully sends the entire high school a picture of basketball hero Bijan Majidi, photo-shopped to look like a terrorist, the school administration promises to find and punish the culprit, but Bijan just wants to pretend the incident never happened and move on.
Concepts
Self-Confidence & IdentityJustice & FairnessResilience & PerseveranceLoneliness & BelongingFear & BraveryEmpathy & KindnessFriendship & LoyaltyAnger & FrustrationHonesty & IntegrityLove & FamilyBeing DifferentBullyingCultural IdentityPeer PressureMaking FriendsGrowing UpFriendship & SocialSchool LifeSports
bullying
discrimination
mental_health_themes
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Bijan's initial reaction to the cyberbullying reflect common responses to difficult situations?
2
What role do Bijan's friends and family play in his journey to speak out?
3
How does the book explore the difference between passive acceptance and active allyship?
4
What are the various forms of prejudice and discrimination depicted in the story, and how do characters respond to them?
5
How can we, as individuals and communities, combat cyberbullying and promote inclusivity in schools?
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