The Secret Diary of Mona Hasan

This could have been an enjoyable read but instead I spent two-thirds of the book wondering when the story I had been promised was going to start as the back of the book presents it as: in 1991, a girl from Dubai moves to Dartmouth with her family. The first third of the book takes place in Dubai, the second in Pakistan where they go to visit family, and the last third, the family finally (at long last!) arrive in Canada. I guess this is mostly autobiographical and a reflection of the author's own life but from a narrative perspective it just drags. That being said, Mona is an entertaining character; the book is basically The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole meets Are You There God? Its Me Margaret and its fairly amusing.

Thank you to Tundra Books who kindly sent me a free copy for review.