Ballet Is Not for Muslim Girls

From biryani to borscht, the food was fabulous in Canada's only Polish-Pakistani family. Mariam S. Pal's memoir, Ballet is not for Muslim Girls, is set in this remarkable Victoria B.C. household in the 60s and 70s. Growing up, Mariam struggled to navigate three cultures: her Pakistani father's, her Polish-Canadian mother's and Canada's, where Mariam was born and raised.

A "normal" first name would have been a good start. At school they called her Marilyn, Marian - anything but Mariam. Hers was the only house for miles that didn't hand out Halloween candy or put up Christmas lights. When Grade One Mariam came home bawling because she was the only kid who didn't have a turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving, her parents started a roasting a bird each year.

Ballet is not for Muslim Girls is a humorous and affectionate memoir. It addresses the integration and cultural adaptation, issues  all immigrants, from Adelaide to Quebec to Yonkers, grapple with. Ballet is not for Muslim Girls' poignant,  uplifting story will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers.