Call me Athena : girl from Detroit : a novel in verse

This enchanting novel in verse captures one woman’s struggle for equality, independence, and identity as a Greek immigrant in troubled 1930s America. Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit is a beautifully written novel in verse loosely based on author Colby Cedar Smith’s maternal grandmother. The story follows Mary as she and her family emigrate from Greece to Detroit in the 1930s, creating a historically accurate portrayal of life as an immigrant during the Great Depression, hunger strikes, and violent riots. Mary lives in a tiny apartment with her immigrant parents, her brothers, and her twin sister, and she questions why her parents ever came to America. She yearns for true love, to own her own business, and to be an independent, modern American woman—much to the chagrin of her parents who want her to be a “good Greek girl.” Mary’s story is peppered with flashbacks to her parents’ childhoods in Greece and Northern France, whose stories connect with Mary as they address issues of arranged marriage, learning about independence, and yearning to grow beyond one’s own culture. Though Call Me Athena is written from the perspective of three profoundly different narrators, it has a wide-reaching message: It takes courage to fight for tradition and heritage as well as freedom, love, and equality. This book won the 2023 Michigan Notable Books Award! This enchanting novel in verse captures oneyoungwomans struggle forindependence, equality, and identityas the daughter of Greek and French immigrants intumultuous1930s Detroit. Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit is a beautifully written novel in verse loosely based on author Colby Cedar Smiths paternal grandmother. The story follows Mary as the American-born daughter of Greek and French immigrants living in Detroit in the 1930s, creating a historically accurate portrayal of life as an immigrant during the Great Depression, hunger strikes, and violent riots. Mary lives in a tiny apartment with her immigrant parents, her brothers, and her twin sister, and she questions why her parents ever came to America. She yearns for true love, to own her own business, and to be an independent, modern American womanmuch to the chagrin of her parents, who want her to be a good Greek girl. Marys story is peppered with flashbacks to her parents childhoods in Greece and northern France; their stories connect with Mary as they address issues of arranged marriage, learning about independence, and yearning to grow beyond ones own culture. Though Call Me Athena is written from the perspective of three profoundly different narrators, it has a wide-reaching message: It takes courage to fight for tradition and heritage, as well as freedom, love, and equality. This Enchanting Novel In Verse Captures One Young Woman’s Struggle For Independence, Equality, And Identity As The Daughter Of Greek And French Immigrants In Tumultuous 1930s Detroit. Call Me Athena: Girl From Detroit Is A Beautifully Written Novel In Verse Loosely Based On Author Colby Cedar Smith’s Paternal Grandmother. The Story Follows Mary As The American-born Daughter Of Greek And French Immigrants Living In Detroit In The 1930s, Creating A Historically Accurate Portrayal Of Life As An Immigrant During The Great Depression, Hunger Strikes, And Violent Riots. Mary Lives In A Tiny Apartment With Her Immigrant Parents, Her Brothers, And Her Twin Sister, And She Questions Why Her Parents Ever Came To America. She Yearns For True Love, To Own Her Own Business, And To Be An Independent, Modern American Woman—much To The Chagrin Of Her Parents, Who Want Her To Be A “good Greek Girl.” Mary’s Story Is Peppered With Flashbacks To Her Parents’ Childhoods In Greece And Northern France; Their Stories Connect With Mary As They Address Issues Of Arranged Marriage, Learning About Independence, And Yearning To Grow Beyond One’s Own Culture. Though Call Me Athena Is Written From The Perspective Of Three Profoundly Different Narrators, It Has A Wide-reaching Message: It Takes Courage To Fight For Tradition And Heritage, As Well As Freedom, Love, And Equality. An enchanting novel in verse, Call Me Athena captures one young woman's struggle for independence, equality, and identity as the daughter of Greek and French immigrants in tumultuous 1930s Detroit. Mary lives in a tiny apartment in Detroit in the 1930s with her Greek and French immigrant parents, her brothers, and her twin sister, and she questions why her parents ever came to America. She yearns for true love, to own her own business, and to be an independent, modern American woman—much to the chagrin of her parents, who want her to be a "good Greek girl." Mary's story is peppered with flashbacks to her parents' childhoods in Greece and northern France; their stories connect with Mary as they address issues of arranged marriage, learning about independence, and yearning to grow beyond one's own culture. Though Call Me Athena is written from the perspective of three profoundly different narrators, it has a wide-reaching message: It takes courage to fight for tradition and heritage, as well as freedom, love, and equality. Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit is a beautifully written novel in verse loosely based on author Colby Cedar Smith's paternal grandmother, creating a historically accurate portrayal of life as an immigrant during the Great Depression, hunger strikes, and violent riots. Detroit, 1930s. Mary, the American-born daughter of Greek and French immigrants, lives in a tiny apartment with her parents, her brothers, and her twin sister. She questions why her parents ever came to America, while yearning for true love, to own her own business, and to be an independent, modern American woman. Flashbacks to her parents' childhoods connect their stories with Mary's: issues of arranged marriage, learning about independence, and yearning to grow beyond one's own culture. -- adapted from back cover Written from the perspective of three very different narrators, this novel in verse follows Mary, the American-born daughter of Greek and French immigrants living in Detroit in the 1930s, as she struggles for independence, equality, and identity