Author Archives: islamicschoollibrarian

May30

Beneath My Mother’s Feet By Amjed Qamar

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I was so surprised by this book, subhanAllah.  I picked it up at a used bookstore and didn’t think much of it, tossed it in my bag one day as I headed out with my children’s class on a field trip and seriously didn’t want the bus ride to end I was so caught up in the book.  An easy 200 page read if you are familiar with Pakistani culture, even more so if you have ties to Karachi (specifically Defense), the detail takes you to the streets and gullies you know and you want to stay and look around.  If you don’t have these reference points, the book might be a bit hard to connect with, but I think the Author still gets her story across if you are willing to try (there is a glossory in the back).  Beneath My Mother’s Feet is a 4.9 reading level, and because of the heavy cultural references I don’t think I would do it as a book club book, but I have already suggested it to certain students that I know will find a connection and appreciate their mothers and their opportunities in America all the more.

SYNOPSIS:

Nazia is a typical fourteen-year-old Pakistani girl in the large and bustling city of Karachi, Her working class family suddenly is thrown into chaos when her father gets injured at his construction job.  As we learn more about her father, Nazia and the reader discover how lazy, selfish, and dishonest he is, despite Nazia’s determination to see the best in him.  While the family has had hard times before, this time something more than Nazia’s mom scraping and sewing to get by is needed.  As a result Nazia is pulled out of school to help her mom be a maid, masi, in wealthy families’ homes.  The family eventually loses their home, and Nazia’s older brother steals all the jewelry and clothing intended for Nazia on her wedding.  Her father disappears and the women of the family are left to find the strength and resources to carry on.  While the cover teases the idea that Nazia is a “perfect daughter” and that she is such a “good girl” I found these to be incredibly misleading statements and pulled quotes.  I think the story, shows how determined Nazia is, but not at a rebellious level, more as a girl finding her self and willing to risk it all for what she believes, a trait very much in line with her mother’s example.  

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like that it shows self resilience and self reliance both from Nazia and her mom, Naseem.  Nazia holds on to her friendships, her dreams, and isn’t afraid of hard work.  She explores what it means to be a good daughter, good sister, good friend, and good worker. She also is emotionally sympathetic and generous to a small servant boy, all wonderful concepts to present to a 4th through 6th grade audience.  I like that although Nazia isn’t terribly religious she does rely on Allah (swt) and her faith to help her endure the various hardships she encounters.  Islam isn’t at the forefront, but clearly she Muslim.  The book is heavily steeped in culture, the concept of a dowry, how masi’s are treated are not Islamic in the least, and unfortunately the author doesn’t articulate that it is only a cultural norm.  While the women tend to be highlighted in different colors throughout the book, the men seem to be brushed over in a very negative light.  On the surface it is nice to see strong women of various socio/economic spheres coming together and making decisions, but to push all the men aside as being worthless, isn’t realistic or fair.  I liked the uncertainty at the end, usually I prefer books that wrap up all loose ends, but here i think it opens the door to imagine what would have happened and discuss it.  

FLAGS:

The book is remarkably clean, There is lying, but consequences are clear.  There is some violence in the mistreatment of the masis, but the author shows Nazia bothered by it and it is discussed.  Nazia and her friends remark at some of the cute cricket players, but nothing is done about it and it seems innocent enough.

 

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

A reading guide by the publisher:  http://www.amjedqamar.com/Reviews.html

A bit about the author and where the story idea came from:     https://www.webjunction.org/content/dam/WebJunction/Documents/ohio/Beneath_My_Mothers_Feet_toolkit.pdf

Amjed Qamar’s official website:  http://www.amjedqamar.com/

Interview with Amjed Qamar from A Year of Reading:  

    http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2008/05/sneak-peek-keep-your-eye-on-this-new.html

 

May14

Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale Retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams

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Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams and illustrated by Proiti Roy is a silly story about a shoemaker getting ready for Eid.  He goes to buy gifts for his wife, mother and daughter and gets a new pair of pants for himself.  The pants, however, are four fingers too long, and no one has time to hem them for him: Not the shop keeper, not his wife, not his mother, not his daughter, so he does it himself.  Nabeel then goes out to visit the poor and hand out charity and all the women in his life feel guilty andsneak over to hem his pants for him.  Luckily Nabeel has a sense of humor and there is just enough time to fix some seriously too short pants.

The book is 32 pages and an AR level 2.9.  It reads well out loud, with simple, yet colorful pictures for even the littlest ones to look at and enjoy.  The story is simple, and probably has a lot more relevance to a Muslim audience than a non Muslim one.  Eid is not described in any great detail, other than gifts are given, charity distributed, new clothes are worn, and lots of food is prepared, so it might put off those not familiar with the holiday.  Islam isn’t mentioned by name, but is obviously assumed.  Culturally the characters are Indian sub-continent based on the food’s being prepared.  Some of the women fully cover, some a little and some not at all.  And I particularly like that Nabeel can sew his pants himself.  The kids enjoy seeing themselves and their families in a silly story.  Even the three-year-olds get the punchline and all around it is just a fun book.  Alhumdulillah!

May2

Traveling Man, The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354 By James Rumford

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travelingThis is a fascinating book about 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta. Born in Morrocco, Ibn Battuta, travelled to China, Russia, through Africa, totaling some 75,000 miles in all and returning to document his travels and lessons. A devout Muslim he performed Hajj and saw the beauty of Islam in much of his travels. The book is beautifully done, as the words flow around the pages in both English and Arabic calligraphy. The story is simple enough to be read aloud in a Social Studies class or poured over independently time and again. It has an AR level of 4.0 and I think if it correlates with a lesson about Ibn Battuta, or is read in conjunction with lessons of Marco Polo and even Christopher Columbus, the book will be well received. I can’t forsee anyone younger than second grade truly understanding his journey, and how remarkable it was then, and still is today. This non-fiction book is clean and imaginative in summarizing his travels. Adults as well as children will spend time analiyzing the pictures and maps included in this 34 page book.

Apr28

Jennah’s New Friends By: Suzy Ismail

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ImageThis book is presumably book one of the BFF SISTERS series, however, the author’s website doesn’t list any other books in the series and it was published in 2001, so it is unknown if more books are in the works.  At 64 pages, the intended audience is girls between ages 7 and 12, but I would note that there are no illustrations and while it is broken into chapters (on average about 10 pages long) the text and layout would be daunting to the average 2nd and possibly 3rd grade student. 

SYNOPSIS: 

Jennah lives in a neighborhood with lots of Muslims and lots of friends, but when a new girl moves in, Jennah is afraid that her best friend Yasmeen would rather be best friends with the new girl, Mariam.  Jennah not only is afraid of losing her friend, but there is a lot going on at home too, her mom is about to have a baby, her younger sister is always bothering her, and her dad is constantly away on business.  Alhumdulilah, Jennah is surrounded by supportive adults, forgiving and generous friends, and an Islamic foundation that allows her to sort out her feelings and create a Hadeeth club with All her new friends.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love that it is a clean book for the elementary age group, the girls do not have boyfriends and while hijab is mentioned in passing, the girls are a group of kids that are dealing with the constant struggle of all girls that age: friends.  Each girl in the BFF club is from a different background, Arab, Pakistani, African American, one’s parents are converts, and at the end a non-Muslim joins the group, truly someone for every reader to identify with.  I think most every girl reading this book can relate to the struggles amongst friends, being the new kid, having younger siblings, trying to fit in, and jealousy, all topics touched on, however the book is an awkward read.  I can’t decide if the book is a short story that got too long, or a novel that wasn’t fleshed out.  The beginning drags on as the foundation of who all the characters are is established, and at times Jennah seems very whiney and immature with problems that wrap-up with little explanation or insight.  Everything often seems too “perfect” and Jennah’s problems petty when all the surrounding characters are so over the top forgiving and generous.  The book left me wanting to know more about the backgrounds of the supporting characters, and more about how Jennah felt.  I think readers may get lost with all the characters, but if they can sort it out, I think they will see themselves and their friends in the pages dealing with the same issues they deal with every day.

FLAGS:

Clean

TEACHING THIS BOOK:

I probably wouldn’t teach this book for the intended audience, or share it as a book club, however, one-on-one the book would be a great starting point for a discussion with a girl having problems with friends. 

Apr21

I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced By Nujood Ali with Delphine Minoui

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I don’t often read non-fiction, but like I am Malala, I am Nujood , Age 10 and Divorced seemed too compelling to turn down, plus it isn’t a long book, just 188 pages even with the epilogue, reading group guide, notes and acknowledgements.  Written on a 6.2 reading level, the story of this young girl, is not well developed.  Her plight is powerful, but the telling of her story is awkward, unrelatable and in no way does her justice.  I never felt a connection to Nujood, naturally on the premise I was cheering her on, but I would have cheered anyone in her position on.  I don’t feel like I know her, or know her family, or really any characters in the book.  It seems that Delphine Minoui  tried to write the book as if she were Nujood, a ten year old with minimal education,  instead of finding away to balance Nujood’s voice and story, while adding the detail and back story to give the reader a connection and understanding to what and why this was allowed to occur.

SYNOPSIS:

Nujood is a Yemeni girl from the small mountainous village of Khardji, after scandal rocks the sister just older than Nujood, there are too many kids that the order and ages of them all is a mental workout for her mother, the family leaves everything and moves to the city of Sana’a.  Poor and with little hope, Nujood is given/sold to a man three times her age.  After months of abuse she sneaks away and finds a judge at a court house where she finds courage and her voice to proclaim, “I want a divorce.”  From there she must recount her story to both lawyers, journalists, and anyone that can help her as she works to break a long tradition of girls marrying young and save herself.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like that something that is perhaps a societal norm in Yemen was made public and that we can hopefully now do something to help these young girls.  I don’t think it would work as a book club book or a novel study in a middle school setting as the details of rape and drug use are present.  They are not explicit, but I think that sharing excerpts from the book would be sufficient in explaining why this is such a tragedy and needs to be stopped.  The characters are all Muslim with various levels of belief and practice. While sad and heartbreaking, her story is hopeful at the end.

FLAGS:

Details of her rape, her sister’s affair is mentioned, and some minor drug use is common amongst the men.

Apr17

The Hundredth Name By Shulamith Levey Oppenheim

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The Hundredth Name is a heartwarming story of a boy named Salah, his father, and his camel named Qadiim, Ancient One.  Salah is concerned that his best friend Qadiim is sad, and this in turn makes Salah said.  As Salah’s father gently and patiently teaches Salah about the power of prayer, the mercy of Allah and how we only know 99 names of Allah, the hundredth name is not known to us, Salah finds a way to make Qadiim happy.  Through beautiful pictures and prose like paragraphs, the reader is inspired to trust Allah with all matters, big and small.

The book has 32 pages and is an Accelerated Reader level 3.7.  I think Kindergarten would enjoy this book during story time, but the younger ones, Daycare through Pre-k,  may not truly understand the beauty and the message.

Apr12

My Father’s Shop By Satomi Ichikawa

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What a surprisingly delightful book about a Moroccan boy named Mustafa in his father’s rug shop.  Helping his father, Mustafa finds a beautiful carpet with a hole in it and asks his father if he can have it.  His father agrees if in turn he promises to work on phrases in a variety of languages to help them sell carpets to tourists.  The boy agrees, but doesn’t put much effort in until in a moment of fun, he puts the carpet over his head, peeking through the hole, and runs out into the bazaar.  A rooster begins following him and as the tourists gather around, Mustafa, and the reader learn what a rooster says in five languages.  In Morocco:Kho Kho Hou Houuu!
In France: Co-co-ri-co! In Spain: Qui-qui-ri-qui! In England: Cock-a-doodle-doo! In Japan: Koke-ko-kooo!

The pictures really bring the story to life and connect the story to the reader.  I look forward to reading this book aloud during story time as I think the kids will see themselves in the Muslim characters in the bazaar, and see the different cultures all in one place just as they do in their classes.  At 32 pages the book is simple and memorable with large print and not too many words on the page.  It has an AR level of 2.2 and I think the kids will laugh and contribute to the sounds roosters make.  The story is completely clean, enjoyable, and memorable.

Apr11

I am Malala By Malala Yousafzai and Christina Lamb

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Naturally we all have heard Malala’s story and while some are inspired by it, some seem to have major hostility toward her and her approach.  Chosing to take her at face value and be inspired by her, I was generally looking forward to reading her story before I ever entertained thoughts of using it as a teaching tool in a school.  It is an AR reading level of 7.1 so once I obtained the book I rushed to read it before the end of the school year to see if perhaps our 7th and 8th grade students could read it and leave for the summer realizing the blessing that an education can be from someone who has had to risk it all, just for the chance to learn.  However upon completion I think that the dates, and history of Pakistan would ultimately drag the book on for the majority of Middle-Schoolers and her message and inspiration would be lost.  For adults looking for a book club book however, I would highly recommend it.  As a half Pakistani-American growing up spending my summers in Pakistan, I could relate and recall so much of what she wrote about.  I think most adults of any background would similarly be able to recall major news events, and be able to follow along.  I think anyone younger would find it incredibly difficult and possibly dull to get through.  I think that students would benefit from learning about her story and then only reading excerpts from the book.  There are some very moving sections that I think the average middle schooler would be impacted by, and the included pictures amongst the 327 pages would give them a glimpse into her world.   I on the other hand, couldn’t put it down, the book reads very quickly and bounces around all over the place, which actually didn’t bother me, I enjoyed her descriptions of her town and family and friends.  While Malala wrote it with an author, I think the tone is very much that of a young girl and thus the style works for me.  Political views aside the book made me smile, made me cry, and makes me feel better off having read it.

SYNOPSIS:

Malala is a Pashtun girl in the Swat Valley in Pakistan.  In a culture that keeps females behind doors and cloth, her father is the anomaly and encourages her to be educated, free, and vocal.  As 9/11 occurs, the Taliban sets in, the west wages war on Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden is killed, governments change in Pakistan, floods and earthquakes destroy the land, Malala and her family struggle to survive, improve their community, and advocate for the right of women to be educated.  All this climaxes in the Taliban boarding her school van and shooting her in the face at point-blank range.  She is then rushed to various hospitals before being taken to Birmingham, England. 

WHY I LIKE IT: 

It gives hope and shows that there are people making a differences and despite the risks, do want to change things in the world.  It is a great example that one person can make a difference.  Her family and her are active Muslims, that reflect on the Quran and try to understand where the Taliban is wrong in their interpretation.  Religion is a defining factor in every aspect from personal to culturally to government, and presents just how different each person seems to manipulate religion to their own benefit.   It might seem odd for some that she is writing this memoir of sorts when she has barely lived a long enough life to reflect back upon.  It also is perhaps overly optimistic as the story is ongoing, what she will do now is unanswered because it is not yet been given a chance to unfold.  I think the story is strong enough to cut through the criticism, and can be very powerful from both a child’s point of view, and from her parents.  Most readers if they can get through the intermingling of her story and that of her country will be affected by her plight.

FLAGS:

Violence, but done in a newscast style, not overly sensationalized, but details are given.

 

Mar26

Ibrahim Khan and the Mystery of the Roaring Lion by Farheen Khan

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Perhaps it was timing, or maybe the book just lacks a lot, but having just read Rashid and the Missing Body, did not do this book any favors. This book also features an elementary boy working to solve neighborhood crimes,. who just happens to be Muslim.  The target audience would probably be any 2nd to 4th grade student, girl or boy, as it is a quick, clean 45 pages.  The book is beautiful from the outside, the font and pictures inside are spot on, the story itself isn’t half bad, but the rationale for the crime and the conclusion, just seem  weak and forced.

SYNOPSIS:  

Ibrahim Khan and his cousin Zayn are third graders that solve crimes in their part time.  One day they get a call from Yusuf that there are lions in his backyard, he can hear them, but can’t find them.  The Khan boys are on the case and with support from parents picking and dropping them off at each other’s homes around salat times, and their trusty brown bag, they figure out what is really in Yusuf’s backyard.  

WHY I LIKE IT:

The book is clean, it is perfect for a young or struggling reader in terms of presentation and writing style, and is a decent foray into Islamic fiction for elementary aged students. There is no unnecessary religious, or family, or boy/girl drama, but the reason for the perpetrators scaring Yusuf is very, very unbelievable and weak.  Without giving it all away, it may work to talk to your child at the end about the moral, but I think any student in a school setting would find the ending a bit disappointing.

FLAGS: 

None. Clean and framed well to give the reader a sense that Ibrahim comes from an Islamic family and environment, he is a Muslim, and at the same time he has friends and adventures just like any other character in any other book.

 

Mar22

Rashid and the Missing Body By Hassan Radwan

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I picked this up in my school library and started to read the small and uninviting text (it looks like an essay) and was quickly swallowed up by the kid detective story of not only who-done-it, but how.  At 80 pages, the book is both compelling and charming, in its simplicity and ability to bounce around.  The back of the book suggests the book for ages 11 to 15, but I think it would appeal to anyone seven and up, particularly boys. The book is not AR, but I plan to make a quick 10 question quiz so that students can read the book and get class credit by logging in, taking the test, and hopefully passing.

SYNOPSIS:

Rashid and his new (non-Muslim) friends are playing a simple enough game of cops and robbers when they stumble upon a dead body in a shed at the park.  The rush home to call the police, but by the time they return, the body is gone.  The story is the adventures of the boys trying to figure out what happened and how to make sure the culprit doesn’t get away with his crime.  The backdrop of Rashid’s family, his Muslim and non Muslim friends, a few bullies, is all beautifully woven into a moral and uplifting story where the characters are practicing Muslims, and the supporting characters are respectful to the point that Rashid’s religion is a non-issue, just a strong defining characteristic.

WHY I LIKE IT:

Superficially the book appeals to a hard to inspire boy demographic, that alone prompted me to pick up the book.  I love that the book doesn’t get bogged down in preaching, it truly comes from a Muslim perspective of handling Islamic events in your daily life, and in this case solving the case.  When scared Rashid asks Allah for help, he prays, he fasts in Ramadan, he helps his brother, the author has Rashid’s sister get married and has Rashid’s annoying cousins come over; there is no over the top drama in the home life, the suspense and climax of the book is the dead body, not who Rashid is and what he believes.  I think to see a character so like themselves tracking down suspects and having such a grand adventure will be a big hit with our students.  I don’t think it lends itself well to a book club book, but I can’t wait to recommend the book to individuals.

FLAGS: 

Clean.  As the back of the book says “It brings into play life-enriching Islamic values of standing up for truth, a strong sense of duty and bond of sincere friendship.  The story throws light on Muslim family life, their morals and manners and outlook on life.”