TAMING PAPA

Fifth grader Mélie learns that her father is coming to live with them.

Mélie has never met her father, Sami, who’s been imprisoned in an unnamed country for years. She pores over photos of a young Sami while her mother explains that he was imprisoned for his refusal to be quiet. When Sami arrives, their small apartment feels even tinier. Sami barely speaks, does little but watch television, and is terrified of going outside; on top of that, Sami and Mélie don’t speak the same language. Mélie resents these changes, even as she longs for true connection and wonders what a “real” family is. Later, she runs into her former teacher Mr. Xavier; he and his partner, Luc, have just adopted their daughter, the similarly named Mei-Li, from overseas. As Mélie babysits for them, she observes their evolving and loving family dynamic and becomes determined to build a connection with her father. Through art and poetry, the two grow closer, and the family draw strength from one another as Papa grapples with his trauma. Goupil’s second story featuring Mélie, translated from French and originally published in Canada, stands alone, with simple, accessible prose in short chapters that move the plot forward in increments that are meaningful and reflective. Physical descriptions and references to race and ethnicity are minimal, though the setting appears to be French Canadian.

A poignant story of trauma, healing, and familial love.