Half My Luck

Written by Samera Kamaleddine

Narrated by Sophie Loughran

From the winner of the inaugural Matilda Prize comes a heartwarming coming-of-age story about growing up in Australia when you're caught between two cultures

Layla Karimi has been cursed by the evil eye.

Well, that's what Layla's superstitious grandmother tells her. And Layla reckons it makes sense as she's sort of Australian and sort of Lebanese: a 'halfie' who doesn't really fit into either world.

And when all hell breaks loose at the first beach party of the summer, Layla finds herself caught between her friends and the Lebanese kids who call themselves 'the Cedar Army' (of which her cousin Sufia is the Queen Bee). One group has been wrongfully accused and Layla knows the truth that would clear their name.

But will she speak up?


PRAISE

'a warm-hearted and authentic coming-of-age story about the impact of race and place on our sense of self and belonging ... perfect for fans of other recent Own Voices releases like Sunburnt Veils by Sara Haghdoosti and Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim' - Mischa Parkee, Books + Publishing

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Jul 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781460788721

Samera Kamaleddine

Samera Kamaleddine is a Sydney-based children's and youth librarian. For many years before that she was a journalist, writing for magazines about everything from friendship dramas and school bullies to body confidence. Her debut young adult novel Half My Luck was published after it won the Matilda Prize in 2020. The Sideways Orbit of Evie Hart (May 2023) is her first book for middle-grade readers.

Reviews for Half My Luck

[heatherlinc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Unfortunately, I never connected with this novel. While I understood how Layla struggles with trying to fit into two cultures (Australian and Lebanese), I would have liked to have learnt more about Lebanese daily life.Layla is a likeable protagonist with an authentic voice but the story itself was ho hum.