43 pages • 1 hour read
Extra Credit
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Rock
Sadeed’s mountain rock represents his region of Afghanistan, and the cultural and geographical differences between himself and his new friend, Abby. Bahar-Lan’s mountains are beautiful, but also dangerous and unforgiving. Having lived among them his whole life, Sadeed sees the mountains as a “nuisance” because of their difficult terrain, dangerous weather events, and reputation as a hideout for criminals. Abby, meanwhile, considers mountains beautiful and a fun and interesting athletic challenge. By sending her a small piece of mountain rock, Sadeed is extending his hospitality and friendship to Abby by giving her something emblematic of his part of the world, even though he does not share her feelings about it. This gift shows that, in spite of their differences, Sadeed can appreciate and respect Abby’s perspective.
Soil
The soil represents Abby’s home region of Linsdale, Illinois, and her cultural and geographical differences with Sadeed. Abby’s rich, fertile farm soil contrasts sharply with Sadeed’s tough, jagged rock, suggesting that their homes and cultures are very different from each other. Abby’s family has an easier life than Sadeed’s, with more material abundance, thanks in part to the soil on her family’s farm. By giving Sadeed some soil from her farm, Abby invites him to imagine himself in Illinois, and she encourages him to admire the view even though she herself finds it “boring.” Abby’s exchange of soil for rock reminds the reader that she and Sadeed have developed a friendly relationship by respecting each other’s differences. It is part of the book’s message of equality despite difference.
Flags
In Extra Credit the Afghan and American flags represent Sadeed and Abby’s different nationalities and cultures. The national identities are a matter of pride to both children but are also a nexus of wider social and geopolitical tension, especially in the context of the Afghan-American war. Abby includes American stamps on her letters to Sadeed and Amira, which unfortunately make them a target for harassment in their town of Bahar-Lan. Meanwhile in the US, Abby displays the Afghan flag as a part of her pen pal presentation. This, too, causes her to be in conflict with a classmate, who complains about having to look at the Islamic verses and mosque on the flag. By showing how some people react with hostility to the Afghan and American flags, Clements shows that it is easy to be prejudiced against a different group of people and generalize about them. In order to establish a friendship, Abby and Sadeed have to respect each other’s nationalities while also looking beyond their “flags,” or nations, to see each other as individuals.
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By Andrew Clements
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