Author Archives: islamicschoollibrarian

Jun29

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

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I probably should not have read this so close to the book Wanting Mor, as it too is about a girl in Afghanistan, and with a cleft lip none the less.  The similarities fortunately pretty much end there.  Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy is a fictional story that sprung from his own military service in Farah, Afghanistan and brief encounter with a girl named Zulaikha, who he and his comrades pulled money together to fund her transport for surgery.  He clearly states in his Author’s Note that he had preconceived notions on Afghanis when he deployed and how those changed as he got to know the people, he also states his disadvantage in writing the book as he is neither an Afghan or a girl.  Such honesty and care with the subject matter shines through the pages and creates a glimpse at everyday life for the characters without being overshadowed by judgement.  The first 50 pages or so of the 264 total are a bit overwhelming, but if the reader plugs through, the rest is smooth sailing and hard to put down.  It has an AR level of 4.6 although there are a few items mentioned in passing that would make me nervous to let someone that young read it.  A main story plot is the marraige of Zulaikha’s sister Zeynab and preparations include her receiving marital advise that makes her blush, and following the wedding night, a cloth with Zeynab’s blood is brought to Zulaikha’s family.  No explanation is given and many readers may just brush over it, however, if asked, it could be awkward to explain to a fourth grader.  Additionally during a conversation between Zulaikha and Zeynab, Zeynab says about some of her marriage difficulties, “Every night. . .He wants me to have a son, but I don’t know, , ,”.  Definitely something to consider when recommending this book to someone younger. 

SYNOPSIS:

Thirteen-year-old Afghani girl, Zulaikha, has a tough life.  Born with a cleft lip and having lost her mother to the Taliban she spends her days with her older sister Zeynab caring for her two younger brothers, prepparing food for her father and older brother, and constantly being berrated by her step-mother.  Set in a post Taliban setting, Zulaikha stumbles across a woman in town that remembers her as a child and used to teach her mother.  Drawn to Meena, Zulaikha begins fullfilling her mother’s dream by meeting secretly with Meena to learn how to read and right and understand the poetry of her homeland.  Things really start to look up as the American army rolls in and hires her father, a welder, on some of their new buildings, and offers to fund reconstructive surgery for her lip.  Arrangements are also made for her sister to marry a prominent man in the community.  However, things don’t go exactly as planned, and Zulaikha and her family must evaluate what they want and how much they mean to each other.

WHY I LIKE IT: 

The story doesn’t assume anything about the characters or society, American and Afghan alike, which to me seems authentic.  It doesn’t feel as if stereotypes are perpetuated or intentionally broken down, there is simply diversity of thought, opportunity and action. The book doesn’t shy away from American arrogance (offering the Muslim character’s pork and shaking hands with those of the opposite gender), nor does it make them seem cold hearted (they are genuinely helping Zulaikha’s family), similarily the Afghan men are loving to their wives and children, but doemstic violence is also shown.  Some of the Afghan women are educated and independent others are illiterate and dependent.  I like that the characters are religious, and hopeful that Allah will provide what is best for them.  As the characters put their trust in Allah, and endure with sabr (patience), the reader too is relieved at the ending which is both cathartic and sweet.

FLAGS:

Reference to married life, domestic violence

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Depending on the audience this book could be a GREAT book club book, it would probably need parental consent for the few items mentioned regarding marital life, but I think middle school girls would gain appreciation for their own lives and opportunities after reading about Zulaikha.

The author’s website: http://www.trentreedy.com/book-witd.html

Interview with the Author and his Publisher http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/downloads/printable/49-FE2-CaseStudyWritingMulticulturalFiction.html

The book includes an introdction by Katherine Paterson (Author of Bridge to Terabithia and numerous other books), a pronunciation guide, a glossary, an author’s note, acknowledgements, information about the poetry used in the book, and recommended reading about Afghanistan.

 

 

Jun2

Wanting Mor By Rukhsana Khan

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SYNOPSIS:

Jameela has a lot of obstacles as the book opens: poverty, her mother, Mor, has just died, a cleft lip, and an angry  father that returns to drugs and alcohol.  As the book progresses however, things don’t get better in fact they get worse.  In war-torn Afghanistan Jameela and her father move from their small village to the bustling city of Kabul, recently freed from Taliban control. With only her faith in Allah and her memory of Mor, Jameela endures being a virtual slave in one home, before being whisked away for her father’s inappropriate actions with the lady of the house.  Desperate for a place to live, Jameela’s father marries a widow for her money and Jameela becomes a slave to her new stepmother.  When her stepbrother Masood, tries to teach her how to read and write her name, her stepmother convinces Jameela’s father to take her to the busy market place and leave her.  Alone, lost, and with no where to go a kind butcher tries to help her, but ultimately she ends up in an orphanage.  Prospects look up for Jameela as she finally is allowed an education, friends, and security, however, issues with her father and stepmother must be resolved and ultimately this serves to be the biggest test for Jameela.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The story in a nutshell, is heartbreaking, yet Khan never seems to diminish the hope felt for Jameela and the belief that she will find a way to have a full life.  Based on a true story, it is hard to put the book down and the 183 pages fly by quickly.  Jameela is very devout in her prayers, her modesty and her imaan, illuminating  a story where so much sadness prevails. Her faith in Allah swt brings her peace and strength and Khan successfully passes that message on to the reader.  Jameela not only has to navigate her family issues, but also the challenge of making friends, dealing with her appearance, taking control of matters regarding her education, and so much more than most student’s coming of age have to endure.  I think Jameela’s strengths and faults will inspire and serve as lessons to the readers, most likely girls who have it much, much easier.  And who after reading the book, inshaAllah, will appreciate how much harder their lives could be.  

This is the second book I’ve read and blogged about by Rukhsana Khan, the first was a children’s fiction book My Big Red Lollipop.  The two books are both well written and I enjoy her voice as an author, this book however, Wanting Mor, while only an AR Level 3.7, I would reserve for a more mature audience.  The reading is easy and fluid, the story is powerful and well told and I think would be fine in a 7th or 8th grade and up environment.  I would be nervous to recommend this book blindly to a young adult reader without context, direction, and some background.  The incident after a party, with alcohol, where Jameela’s father enters a married woman’s room, implies more than I would want a 3rd or 4th grader inquiring about.  Details aren’t given, but it causes a huge turning point in the story and is thus critical.  At one point a character is groped in the street and Jameela laughs, highly inappropriate that it happens and equally inappropriate that Jameela laughs at her friend.

Another point I would want to discuss with anyone reading the book before hand is the concept that, If you can’t be beautiful, you should at least be good.”  Mor tells it to Jameela, presumably because of her birth defect, but I think that a young girl reading the book shouldn’t take it at face value, I would want to explain the culture, the environment, and talk about such a statement on many levels.

FLAGS:

 Implied sexual violence, drug and alcohol use

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Given the right group of older students, this book would make a decent book club selections with plenty to discuss and plenty of emotion.

The author’s website page:  http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/books/wantingmor.html

Teacher’s guide:  http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/teacherguides/Wanting%20Mor%20Teacher’s%20Guide.PDF

Wanting Mor Presentation:  http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/teacherguides/Wanting%20Mor%20Presentation%20Guide.PDF

 

 

 

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.