Road to Chlifa 

• Genre: Fiction; young adult realistic
• Originally Published: 1992; English translation 1995 
• Reading Level/Interest: Grades 7-12 
• Structure/Length: 3 sections; approximately 142 pages; approximately 4 hours on audio  
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story follows Karim, a teenager from Beirut, Lebanon, navigating the challenges of loss and migration amid the Lebanese Civil War. After facing tragedy in Beirut, Karim embarks on a perilous journey to Chlifa with his acquaintance Maha and Maha’s baby brother. The central conflict revolves around Karim’s struggle with his past, the hardships of the journey, and his quest for a new beginning in Canada. 
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: War and violence; death and loss, including the deaths of teens and children; physical assault; migration and cultural displacement; sexual harassment and violence; rape 

Michèle Marineau, Author 

• Bio: Born in 1955; Canadian author and translator known for her work in children’s literature and young adult fiction; often explores themes of adolescence, cultural identity, and the complexities of family and social relationships, reflecting her deep interest in psychology and human behavior 
• Other Works: Cassiopée: L’été Polonais (1988); La Route de Chlifa (original French version of Road to Chlifa; 1992)
• Awards: Governor General’s Literary Award for French-language children’s literature (1993)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide: