Mahtab's Story by Libby Gleeson

I read this story in the January school holidays. I was planning a unit of work on Refugees and Migration for Year 5/6. I had considered using Morris Gleitzman's Boy Overboard but was aware that many of the children in my class had read the book. I decided to read them Libby Gleeson's Mahtab's story and among many English activities was for them to compare the two literary works.

My class were swept up into the world of the story really quickly just like I was. Libby Gleeson has a wonderful way with words. We examined an extract of her text and the children created the most amazing imaginative texts extending the story at the point of reading.

Everyday the children were asking me when are we going to find out what was happening to Mahtab, and we would read on. The children watched a youtube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6Ykw6ehfPI of Libby Gleeson explaining the motivation for writing the book. The children already thought the story was much more authentic than a previous similiar themed book.

It was an amazing read and I felt so priviledged sharing this story with my class. I am sure they will remember this story for years to come.