Farah Alibay, who you may know because she already piloted a robot on the planet Mars, has just launched her first children’s book: Najma in the stars. Who is Najma? A young girl who sometimes feels alien… like Farah in another era! She answered my questions!
How did you get the idea for this children’s novel?
I’ve been thinking about this for years! With my chumI go climbing and hiking. We sometimes have to drive several hours and it was during these trips that Najma was born. I wrote the story and my chum did the illustrations.
Who is Najma?
Najmait means “star” in Arabic. She’s a 12-13 year old girl. She doesn’t feel good on Earth. She has no friends. She always wanted to be a pilot, like her parents, but she failed her pilot’s test. After an argument, she decides to leave Earth. She steals the family space shuttle and sets out to explore the cosmos. She will meet a creature who will become her friend: Broccoli. It is inspired by our dog Barkley! Together, they will visit different planets and learn physics. And also lessons about life.
What kind of lessons?
Najma, in her adventure, also discovers herself. She learns to accept herself, to dare to break out of the mold, to follow her passions. I would like to pass this on to readers. Dare to be different. Be… stubborn! Yes, stubborn: having dreams, then finding the motivation to do what you love and find your place.
Does Najma look like you?
Yes. When I was young, I didn’t have many friends. I was not cool. I was the girl who loved math, science. I dreamed of working at NASA and everyone thought I was a little crazy. Now, I have found my place, but I remember that feeling of solitude, of difference, of not being understood.
You like challenges! What is your next challenge?
I’m working on a space telescope that will launch in early 2025. Then I don’t know. I’m always looking to do something new. When we went skiing when I was young, I would say, “If I didn’t fall today, that means I didn’t try hard enough.” »
This is what I still apply in my life: if I don’t make mistakes, if I don’t have failures, that means I’m not trying hard enough. It’s hard to go through these moments when you feel less comfortable. But it’s so worth it when you end up learning or achieving something!
By Caroline Bouffard
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