No et Moi (french only)

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No's problems do not dissolve even after she finds herself a social worker and temporary shelter. Forced to make a living, she dedicates herself to tireless working hours that eventually drive her over the edge and send her down the path of drink and smoke. When faced with an upcoming presentation for her social and economic sciences class, our young yet fiercely intelligent protagonist Lou decides to interview No, a homeless girl - or, as the French call it: une femme sans domicile fixé (SDF) - to discover what life on the streets entails. I wanted to thank every single one of you who bought my resources on No et moi and who left me amazing comments which motivate me to continue what I am doing. So, to thank you, I put another FREE resource that I created on the historical context as a thank you for your support. Enjoy and I hope it is useful to you and your class.

Vocabulary sheets for chapters 1 to 20 with a link to the Quizlet course (I will soon add the other chapters too) Later, Lou finds No and tells her about the project, getting No’s blessing to share what they discuss. Over time, Lou learns about the reality of life for women who live on the streets: No explains that these women were often abused or lost their jobs. Speaking about this injustice, No tells Lou that she wants her presentation to spread this truth and create compassion for homeless women. No briefly delves into her own story, mentioning that she went into foster care at age twelve. It becomes immediately clear to Lou that the older girl does not have a good relationship with her family, but she does not learn much more, as No refuses to dwell on her life story. Lou and No arrange to meet again after the presentation is finished, so Lou can tell No about how it went.

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The maxim that encapsulates most of the situations in No et Moi and the one that Lou struggles to defeat, is this: les choses sont ce qu’elles sont. Things are what they are. It radiates pessimism and the very fixedness that divides No and Lou and keeps Parisien streets dotted with SDFs. As Lou aptly and poetically puts it, Il suffisait de regarder autour de soi. Il suffisait de voir le regard des gens, de computer ceux qui parlent tout seuls ou qui déraillent, il suffisait de prendre le métro.

Zabou Breitman, Bernard Campan, Nina Rodriguez, Julie-Marie Parmentier, Antonin Chalon, Gregoire Bonnet, Guilaine Londez, Eric ValeroAlthough the time during which Lou and No live together suggests the possibility of their friendship persisting, and indeed even seems to liven up Lou's family atmosphere, the heartbreaking reality of their relationship emerges without fail at the end of the novel. As it turns out, No, is at first flattered and confused by Lou, a girl so different from her, a good source for getting a drink, or a meal when she is down and out. Lou pleads with her parents to let her friend move with them. The parents are reluctant, at first, but decide to go along. Lou secretly watches Lucas, a classmate, who is popular with girls. He is a the product of divorced parents living alone in a huge apartment. With the arrival of No, Lucas takes an interest in Lou. Things go bad after No shows she is heavily involved with drugs and the kind of life her friend Lou gets to know through her, but realizes she does not fit in that sordid world. Different worksheets with main quotes from the chapters to analyse or questions that lead your students to analyse Bound on leaving and finding the life she deserves, No makes grand plans to leave for Ireland where her lover Loïc supposedly waits, and invites Lou to come along. Finally, however, we find out that Loïc was never there. Eventually, it is only No who quietly slips away, leaving No behind, restoring both of them to their 'proper' places and usual lives. It is a heartbreaking ending that throws into light the grand themes of the novel. Meanwhile, Lou learns that No’s mother, Suzanne, became pregnant after being sexually assaulted, which explains her cold attitude toward her daughter. Suzanne moved in with a man who was kind to No, but she continued to neglect her daughter. Eventually, No’s school noticed that she was covered in bumps and bruises; Suzanne had not sought medical care for No after a bad fall, which led the young girl to be placed in foster care. Despite Suzanne’s disinterest, No wishes to see her mother and asks Lou to accompany her. When they arrive at the home, they realize that someone is home but refuses to answer. No bangs on the door and shouts until Lou assures her they are “together.” Calmed by Lou’s words, No relents, and they return to Lou’s house.