Tag Archives: friends

Sep4

If You’re Not the One by Farah Naz Rishi

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If You’re Not the One by Farah Naz Rishi

I suggest one reads my ENTIRE review of this book before deciding if it is right for you, because just the first few lines might signal that I liked this book, and honestly it was just ok, but I really liked parts of it. The protagonist is Muslim, it isn’t something that guides her view of the world or dictates her actions, but she is unapologetic, and it is not something she is grappling with. She prays, makes duas, it mentions a hadith, so I appreciate that it is there and always just below the surface. The “romance” might not be halal, halal, but it definitely isn’t raunchy and stays close to the line even when it crosses it. The male and female character are very close friends, and spend a lot of time alone together even before SPOILER there is hugging and a kiss, it is a rom-com after all. I loved the annotations, especially reading an e-version flipping to the protagonists commentary of her thoughts and then flipping back was easy and fun. I think my favorite line in a long time in the book is her translating rice to chawal (see images). My biggest frustration though, with the book is how close it mirrors the author’s biography, Sorry for the Inconvenience, which I read just over a month ago. Truly, it was like the biography was the book and this was the movie adaptation. Sure the younger brother was switched out for a younger sister, and this wasn’t as gritty or traumatic, but the romantic literary beats were all more or less the same: childhood betrothed, falling for a friend who made a bad first impression, dad being sick, parents and their on again off again divorce, medical diagnosis, it really is two versions of the same story, which meant I was never invested in the fictionalized characters, or on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. When you have seen the behind the scenes inside scoop so to speak, it is hard to get on board with the faded carbon copy. Add in the consistent lack of communication, telling instead of showing, unlikability of the protagonist, and the non existent foundation of any of the relationships, and it made it hard to get lost in the fluff of the moment.



Side note: I had a whole paragraph rant about the cover, but when I went to post my review on Goodreads (still banned from Amazon) I saw that there is a newer cover with Marlow wearing yellow crocs. I have no idea why the illustrator and publisher would have arcs with the male lead in flip flops, but I think by now it is common knowledge there is often a lack of communication between authors and illustrators. sigh.



SYNOPSIS:
Anisa is in college, she has worked hard to get in to the all girl’s school near where her almost fiancé Isaac is already enrolled. When she takes a class on Isaac’s campus she meets Marlow, who makes a poor first impression on the very “perfect” Anisa. When Marlow and Anisa get paired up for a class paper, Marlow also offers his services as a “love coach” to help Anisa reconnect with a drifting away Isaac. The more time Anisa and Marlow spend together, and the more Anisa learns about Isaac , the more she ultimately learns about herself and what she wants out of a partner.



WHY I LIKE IT: (SPOILERS)
I’ve read a few of the author’s books, so I know she can write, which irritated me even more that this book felt so flat. Anisa and Isaac have been “together” for over six years, but know nothing about each other, don’t talk or text, and as much as the book wants to make it seem like it is an all of the sudden thing, it provides no real tangible suggestion that they have ever had any sort of connection. So why did they decide to be potentially engaged???? All the parents are on board, but how did the two of them set this into motion? With the exception of Isaac visiting her one late night before he went to school, there is so little for the reader to be emotionally invested in. Anisa has terrible communication with every character in the book, not just Isaac, even with Marlow and her family, the side characters all keep in touch just fine, and it is never addressed as a quirk, it just is accepted. If your dad was sick, or your parents divorcing, wouldn’t you be texting them periodically, or non stop? And text between characters are shown on the page, so how is Anisa texting Marlow throughout the 352 pages, but then goes MIA the last 20? It didn’t work for me clearly.

Additionally, I was so tired about hearing how perfect Anisa is, when it never seemed to show it, sure the duplicity with her outward appearance and home appearance was well done, but it never really shows up in any other facet of her life. She is unorganized, has few friends, doesn’t seem to be a very present daughter and sister, the repetitive telling and lack of showing, gave the book no foundation. I know romance-y type books often have to fudge common sense at times, but with no foundation at all, it was hard to be invested in any twists or swooning gestures. I think I just didn’t really like Anisa, and I weirdly feel guilty about it, because she so closes mirrors the author, and I liked the author’s self portrayal in her earlier memoir.



FLAGS:
Close male/female friendships, hugging, kissing, lying, “cheating,” talk of titillating role playing video games (otome) not details so much as shaming and teasing about Anisa playing them (the word porn is tossed in a few times).

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I think I’d shelve this book in an Islamic school library for high school students. I don’t think I would promote it, but I think those romance loving high school girls will enjoy and be able to handle this story. It won’t work for a book club, but it does make clear that Anisa “dates” with intent to marry, there is reassurance that she wants to marry a Muslim, that Marlow has been reading about Islam, but that Anisa isn’t going to force him, and that societal expectations and appearances aren’t impossible to push back on- which I think are good considerations for 16 and up readers to see fleshed out.

Aug5

Academy Story by Naim Hammami

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Academy Story by Naim Hammami

I dnfed this elementary aged book a few months ago, and pulled it back out feeling obligated that the publisher sent it to me and, I ought to read it.  So, I did, and it is not well-written, but since I read it, I’m writing a review, and hopefully sparing y’all the same frustration.  The cover is pretty cool, so is the idea, and the Islam is centralized and prioritized, but the story reads like an introduction, yes a 152 page introduction.  It repeats itself so often, it contradicts itself within the repeated ideas, and then moves forward at a snails place before ending.  I think it wanted to end on a cliff hanger, but because so little is accomplished up until that point, it feels like it doesn’t end at a climax, but rather the start of the action, which is irritating.  It feels like the author started telling a story orally about a family in a kingdom that when they finish primary school either continue to secondary school or find themselves in a secret academy, and no one knows how they are chosen, or what the academy is like; someone heard that much and told the author to write a book, and they did.  There is no character development, drawing the reader in, suspense, imaginative language, or refinement, it reads rough and I don’t know if it is because it is translated, or because there was never much to work with, but if you have seen this book, and were excited to see an Islam centered adventure story, sadly I’d say pass, it misses the mark.

SYNOPSIS:

The book starts with centralizing three siblings, Fatima, Suhayl, and Harun.  Fatima is the oldest and is a second mother serving her family, cooking, and apparently enjoys reading, she was not chosen for the Academy and is still bothered by it.  Suhayl is the protagonist who hates school, and Harun is the little brother who is still in primary school.  The first few chapters are the repetitive circling of anticipation and excitement for finding out who gets in to the Academy at home and talking about what little is known about the Academy, and why it is important as today is the day Suhayl will find out.  Why they had no idea about the Academy before breakfast on the day he is going to find out, is beyond me, the world building was an info dump, repeated in the following chapter when Suhayl is now at school.  His friends all discuss that they are going to find out about the Academy, only then to contradict that whole build up and wonder IF they will find out about the Academy today.  We meet the friends, find out some of them have parents that went to the Academy, but do not talk about, as they are not allowed.  The reader is not told what the benefits of having gone to the academy are either, outside of knowing all educators have been trained there.  The book then says how Suhayl doesn’t have friends and proceeds to discuss how close he and his friends are.  When the assembly starts the class learns there is no Academy announcement and no end of the year field trip, instead they will have to come up with a challenge, that is optional, to do over the school holidays.  After rounds of voting and a weird power flex, a business challenge with rules is established and the winner gets to leave school if they want. Suhayl is determined to win, he and his buddy, Yusuf, decide to make fans using the Venturi Effect to sell at their stall and try and make the most profit and win.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like the premise, the artwork, the Muslim characters, I even like the business, life-lessons and science explanation of the fan.  I don’t understand how it makes Suhayl’s fan more effective than a regular fan, but the book has bigger problems. I know for many author’s writing is figuring it out or making it up as you go, so I realize the ridiculousness of saying that this book feels like the book is being made up on the spot. It is writing quality that allows readers to get lost in a story, enjoy the words, and connect to the characters knowing that the author has control of a story and taken care of the required elements of a completed book.  The rules of the challenge and how they were to finalize the idea, seemed so scattered, that combined with the weak writing, and repetitive premise building, made the intrigue of a whispered about Academy seem like a completely separate story.

Additionally, I don’t understand the stressing of the three siblings, The book is only about one, Suhayl, and his friends, yet each have a “character profile sheet,” but they are not all together at the start, or even the end.  One profile sheet is at the end of chapter 2, one at the end of chapter 4, and then the third at the end of chapter 6.  If the point is that as the series progresses you will see the sibling more, and it is meant to garner interest, the choice assumed that readers will stick around for a series, and I don’t think the book at hand, will pull readers in to see how the series pans out.

FLAGS:
Secrets, business deception

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

If the book were donated I would shelve it, but I would not seek it out to shelve.

Jul16

Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan

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Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan

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This 304 page middle grade fantasy book is a quick fun read.  There is no religion in this Muslim authored book, jinn are not portrayed as creatures from Islamic doctrine, and with the exception of Quranic decorations hanging in a room and Zam Zam water being mentioned, once each, in passing, there is nothing hinting or signaling religion.  Even the jinn come across as characters who just happen to be jinn, who have control over fire and live in an alternate world, the book uses their fantasy elements to create an added layer, but the heart of the story is making choices, doing what’s right, being a good friend, and changing injustice when you can. This is a companion book to Nura and the Immortal Palace, and even with the lacking religion, I think I enjoyed this book more.  The plot is clearer, the characters are relatable, the thread of the missing mother is emotional, and the commentary on corporations and labor practices are awesome to see in a middle grade book.  

SYNOPSIS:
Amir is wealthy, really wealthy, and arrogant, and unlikeable, and yet, the over the top framing of him being all these things, makes even the target audience reader realize, that he is also a 12-year-old little boy who is grieving his missing mother, longing for friends, wanting to be seen in his competitive family, and ultimately smarter and more emotionally intelligent than he will ever force himself to admit.  Until, a cat, or rather a jinn princess in the shape of a cat, shakes up his world, by convincing him to come to hers.

Shamsa strikes a deal with Amir, she will help him look for his mother, if he helps her battle against her siblings to be the next heir of the Kagra Kingdom.  Amir knows she is a trickster, it is her nature, but he wants, no needs, to find his mother, so he is willing to pose as her slave and do her bidding.  There are three tasks to test the future heirs physicality, artistry, and diplomacy, and the irony that Amir does not want to be heir to his own fortune, while helping Shamsa claim hers, is not lost on him and will in fact force him to make choices about who he wants to be and what he wants to stand for.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that the book discusses monopolies and business and corporations and systemic gatekeeping.  It stays on level and articulates the points it wants the reader to explore with Amir, but does so without taking away from the story.  Also the ability to see all that Amir has, because he is wealthy, also allows the reader to see what he is also missing, and this is done with a little more subtly, some self-awareness, and some quality writing which results in making Amir a little more relatable.

I do wish there was some Islam, jinn are Islamic based and to not have any signaling seems a bit lacking.  Perhaps it kept it so that accuracy or rep was not a factor, I don’t know, but when Amir says that he thought only the uneducated believe in such creatures, it rubbed me the wrong way, just like when he makes a comment that, “those are the kinds of games God like to play with me.” The lines are minor, but when that is the only religion mentioned and it is done in a negative trivial, dismissive way, they carry more weight than perhaps intended.

I like that the characters and plot are solid.  It doesn’t feel like Amir is free-falling through a crazy chaotic world, there is direction and purpose.  There really isn’t a lot of world building or even Pakistani culture, it really is about the characters and their arc of growth and coming in to their own.

FLAGS:

Fantasy, jinn, lying, sneaking, death, abuse, manipulation, plotting, casinos, fears of water, abandonment, abuse.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
Probably wouldn’t do it as a book club, there are teachable moments and concepts that would be fun to discuss perhaps with economic or business tie-ins, but I don’t know that there is that much to discuss outside of what the book offers.  I do plan to shelve this though, so my own kids have easy access to pick it up and read and hope teachers, librarians, and parents will as well.

 

Jun21

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur

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Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur

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This 323 page middle grade fantasy written by a Muslim author features Muslim characters in a jinn filled adventure, but is not very Islam filled.  Jinn are widely accepted these days in western literature even by non Muslims, so it doesn’t hold the Islamic rep weight it perhaps once did, and while the characters mention prayer once or twice, they are never shown to rely on faith, practice it, or have it be a central part of their identity.  None-the-less, at times I truly could not put the book down, the fast paced adventure coupled with the compelling characters really hooked me and pulled me in, until it didn’t.  I’m not entirely sure of why the rapid unravel of my connection to the book happened, but I’m guessing it is because of A: I struggle with fantasy. B: the plot was really kind of weak. C: the “Alice in Wonderland” style world building is not a style I enjoy. D: So much of the tension in the book is predicated on conversations not happening because the time is not right, but ultimately I’m pretty sure it is E: A little bit of all of the above.  The book is fun, I think kids will like it even though so much wasn’t clarified, resolved, and seemed unnecessary to me, I’m not the target audience, and I recognize that.  It is worth noting that the premise of the book stems quite heavily on the fact that Farrah is a “harami” as it is called, she is a child born out of wedlock. The details of the parents’ relationship prior to her birth are glaringly absent, but that stigma affects her relationships and is central to the story.

SYNOPSIS:

Farrah only sees her father one day a year on her birthday, Yalda, the winter solstice.  While hiking and climbing her father presents her with a gift, a ring, and when she hears a voice and makes a wish, her world will never be the same.  Her father, who she thought was a judge in the UAE, is actually a jinn king, who is now trapped in the ring that Farrah wished upon.  When he is imprisoned, a jinn boy named Idris is freed and together the two of them set out to free her father and get some answers.  They journey to the jinn world where they meet the other jinn kings and learn they are next to be imprisoned by the ring. While there they meet Farrah’s half brother Yaseen, who joins Farrah and Yaseen before returning to Earth, picking up Farrah’s human friend Arzu, and heading to battle Azar in the underworld.  New friends, new worlds, and new perspectives give readers a lot of reasons to cheer for Farrah and her found family as they take on jinns and try to make sense of it all.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like the main characters: Farrah, Yaseen, Idris and Arzu.  I need more answers and more development of Farrah’s mom, dad, their relationship, Yaseen’s mom, Idris’s parents and situation, though a lot was resolved plot wise in the last 19 pages, the unresolved character arcs nagged at me.  I’m guessing there is going to be a second book, so perhaps some insights will come, but for as enjoyable as the main character’s voice is in understanding her own motives, and those of her friends, the lack of development for the remaining characters was quite a contrast.

I felt that the plot was a little weak as well, why did they go to the jinn world, just to return, whey did they seek the protection charms but then abandon them, why was Idris imprisoned in the first place, even if they got the ring back at the mall what were they going to do with it, what was the answer to the first riddle, who was making the rules about the riddles and the trades? I’m not saying some of that wasn’t answered and I just didn’t get it, but it is a sample albeit a small sample of all the unanswered questions I had about what was going on, at all times.

I’m biased against Alice in Wonderland type stories where the reader is just taken from one climax to the next without any world building showing or hinting at why this is now happening.  Like falling down a rabbit hole, it seemed like each event was building the fantasy world for Farrah and the reader in real time and I would have like a little grounding.  It worked for a large part of the book, but I think not understanding enough about the jinn and jinn world, is what made the climax fall a little short for me unfortunately.

I needed people to have conversations, I know when characters are fighting shadow creatures, they can’t explain their family dynamics, but when the same literary device happens again and again, and the characters never have conversations, never get answers, it gets a little frustrating for the adult reader reading a middle grade book, i.e. me.  Maybe kids don’t care, but mom and dad and the grandparents all needed to have a conversation, and that sadly never came.

FLAGS:

Lying, poisoning, entrapment, fighting, mention of being born out of wedlock, sneaking out, near death experiences, stealing.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I don’t think I understand the book well enough to teach it, but I would absolutely have it on a classroom, library, and home shelf.

Jun14

Leena Mo, CEO by Deena Shakir illustrated by Nez Riaz

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Leena Mo, CEO by Deena Shakir illustrated by Nez Riaz

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For ages four to eight this 40 page picture book really introduces great concepts of leadership, business, support systems, and dreaming big.  Before Leena Mo, leads a company though, she thinks up ideas to solve a problem, she turns her ideas into a plan, tests her hypothesis with her prototype, and takes her invention to the next step when demand grows.  Investors, employees, storage, sales, Leena Mo has not only created a product and a company, but she is leading a business, and inspiring others, even back in her Mama’s home in Iraq. With a Mama wearing hijab, a singular mashallah in the text, and the Arabic word for “my dream” Helmy being what she names her snow clearing robot, children everywhere will be inspired and encouraged to think a little bigger than they may have done before.

I love that this business concept is brought down to an early elementary age (and even younger), in a way that they not only will understand, but also be inspired by.  Younger kids might not get the steps, but the fun engaging illustrations, and simple text builds to show that the idea is also growing, and even four and five year olds will grasp that this is exciting.  There are books about science, inventions, even increasingly more about financial literacy, so this is in many ways a next step, that touches on those concepts, but really focuses on the investors, growth and leadership.  The story and concepts weave together, and that culture finds a place as well, is a testament to the quality of this solid, joyful OWN voice read.

The book starts with Leena playing outside in the snow with her friends, when her Mama asks her to shovel before it gets dark.  Leena hates shoveling.  She finds it worse than raking leaves, doing the dishes, and even taking out the garbage.  Instead of complaining though, she starts to dream up an idea of something that would make clearing the snow easier.  She decides on a robot, and gets to work designing and building and testing.

Once it works, a neighbor, Miss Irma, asks to borrow Helmy, and when she returns it, the rest of the neighborhood wants to know where they can purchase one of their own.  When Miss Irma invests in Leena and her team, the next phase begins and as parts turn into products, and equations determine cost, the team of Leena, Olivia, and Lily starts rolling out Helmies.

The sweet ending of inspiring others, will also hopefully inspire readers to think bigger, dream bigger, and recognize the role support,  teamwork, and leadership all play in bringing ideas to life.

The book can be preordered and soon ordered anywhere and everywhere books are sold.

Jun10

Xavier’s Voice by Ashley Franklin illustrated by Tatiana Gardel 

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Xavier’s Voice by Ashley Franklin illustrated by Tatiana Gardel 

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At 48 pages this picture book provides a tender window into a little boy with anxiety, a small voice, and a huge imagination.  I absolutely love that Xavier is the star, the other kids are not mean or overly nice, they are important, but at the story’s core is him finding his confidence, and accepting himself, through his love of superheroes, sketching, and imagining what-ifs.  Xavier is Muslim, there is an “Assalamu Alaika” on one of the pages from another character to him, a superhero by the name of Super Saleem, and Islamic decor in the illustrations in his home.  Religion is not centered or explored in this Muslim authored book, but Muslim readers will see the subtle hints and feel seen immediately.  I love that Xavier discusses coping techniques his therapist has taught him to help with his anxiety and that the tone is empowering and positive.  A good story for kindergarten through second grade, and a great way for kids with anxiety to see themselves represented, and a window for others to grow their empathy and compassion.

The book starts with Xavier at school, which is loud, and wishing that he could make his small voice big.  He notices the big voice kids, have lots of friends, and he can’t seem to find the words when people talk to him.  He gets nervous, and as a result, he is lonely.  One day he discovers Super Saleem and that inspires him to create his own superheroes that are unstoppable.  When raindrops start to fall, a new kid, comes to help, and BJ likes Xavier’s drawings.  Xavier wonders if he has finally made a friend.  The book shows that even when things are going well, there can be a lot of worries, stresses, over thinking, and missteps. But being brave to keep trying, can have super results.

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Jun5

Sam(ira)’s (Worst) Best Summer by Nina Hamza

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Sam(ira)’s (Worst) Best Summer by Nina Hamza

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The first 15% of this 336 page book were rough, the internalized Islamophobia/othering, the excessive discussion of Halloween and being toilet papered, but then I don’t know, something suddenly changed, and I was hooked.  There really is no plot, the reader just spends the summer with Samira, the highs the lows, you see it all through her tween eyes, which worked great for me because I truly loved her voice.  Her dry witty humor, the short choppy chapters, once the forced Islamic rep faded (I know, the irony is not lost on me), the book was hard to put down.  It has Muslamic flags: music is a HUGE part of the book, there is lying, mention of beer, parties with boys, Halloween, dancing, bullying, racism, ageism, Islamophobia, stereotypes, but it also has a lot of heart, finding yourself and voice, amazing sibling support, community, a super grandma, a little brother who is on the spectrum and absolutely a star who holds his own. It is very idyllic even for middle grade, but I think if you are ok with the aforementioned flags and have a middle grader trying to find their place or has had some friend trouble, this book will resonate and be well loved.

SYNOPSIS:
Sam/Sammy/Samira is wrapping up a school year that did not go as planned even though she found she loved being a photographer for the yearbook. She had a huge falling out with her best friend Keira, and she cannot wait for a summer of never leaving her room.  Her parents and older sister are heading to India, leaving her with her little brother Imran, and Umma, their Grandma who came from India to watch them. The end of school culminates with the yearbooks being delayed, her house being toilet papered, the talent show performance that she quit- being completely changed and incredibly racist, Keira spreading lies, and a new girl moving in to the neighborhood.  It is a lot for Samira, and summer is just getting started.  Umma knows the whole neighborhood before the week is out, and starts building a community that rallies around the three of them.  Samira becomes a roadie for a band, Imran gets an old artist to teach him to paint, parties are planned, voices are found, friendships are established, and videos are made celebrating the success and obstacles of it all.  Every time they call the rest of the family in India, even the reader realizes just how much they all have grown.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I just love Samira, she is relatable, funny, and you just cheer for her. I wish her lens though was Islamic.  She doesn’t wear a swimsuit because she misread the dress code, but had no Islamic perspective hesitation of going to a swimming party with boys.  She gets blamed for sneaking beer to a gathering and it says she doesn’t drink, but doesn’t stress, that it would be a huge, huge deal Islamically, not just because she is underage.  Music and dancing aren’t even blips on the radar. Umma prays, Sammy finds it annoying that her prayers seem to take longer when Sammy is waiting for her.  Once it mentions that Sammy was told to pray, but it never shows her praying.  Islam seems very forced, just enough for the character to mention Islamophobia in other instances where the label creates stress for the family.

The character development of Imran and Umma, even though they don’t change at all, has depth and grounds the story. I read a digital copy that doesn’t have any backmatter, but I do hope that the autistic rep is accurate.  Imran’s perspective and heart are so engaging and his and Samira’s relationship is very tender.  There is no pity, or looking down, he legit is fully fleshed out and awesome.  Umma is incredible too, her magic network of getting things done really is a super power.  She connects with people, has a huge heart, and picks her battles.  I wish I could take an internship from Umma.

I can’t figure out if the resolution to the “climax” is intentionally understated because Samira has moved on and grown, and having a big explosion doesn’t fit her character, or if it was just not written strong enough.  That is why I put climax in quotations, because there really isn’t a lead up, or rising action, it is a progression, but it is like the rest of the smaller ups and downs, it is just a stress of the day-to-day living of the protagonist.  The other thread of the “climax” being Alice’s grandma coming home from the hospital, really just seemed weak.  She should have come to the party in her wheelchair, I really didn’t get why it centered the party for being for her, but then let her leave.

I like that Keira wasn’t given redeeming qualities, and her treatment of Samira was never justified.  Often the bullies are shown to have hard lives, which is fine, but sometimes they are just mean.  Samira really takes the high road in handling Keira and what she wants their interactions to look like in the future, which is much better messaging than most books about bullies contain, and I really appreciate that.  

FLAGS:

Bullying, racism, stereotypes, lying, Islamophobia, agism, mocking, teasing, music, dancing, vandalism, mention of Halloween and beer.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION: It wouldn’t be possible to do this as a book club selection in an Islamic school because of the music element, but depending on the school, it might still be ok to shelve in classrooms and the library.

May2

Call Me Al by Wali Shah and Eric Walters

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Call Me Al by Wali Shah and Eric Walters

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I feel like I should have really liked this 264 page book: OWN voice, Muslim, MG, Pakistani, author is poet laureate for the City of Mississauga, Ontario, co authored by a prolific YA writer, but it unfortunately reads inconsistent and unpolished.  The characters at the beginning and their relationships with one another don’t read consistent with who they are in the middle.  Sure the character arcs from the middle to the end are nice, but it feels really disjointed from the first quarter of the book.  There are parts that feel so rushed, and other parts that are heavy handed with the preaching and the moral lessoning that I found myself skimming whole pages.  He says his family isn’t that “religious,” but Islam is centered with quotes from “the Prophet” (no salawat given, only a few times Prophet Muhammad is mentioned to identify which Prophet is being quoted) and “Imam Ali” (who the protagonist is named after), yet Al telling a girl he likes her is no problem at all.  He fasts because he has to, but tells his younger brother it is ok to sneak food, and the grandfather gives a whole speech on how the purpose of fasting is to feel empathy for the poor (face palm, in case you don’t know, it is a commandment of Allah swt).  I really struggled with how “Whites” are seen as opposites to “Muslims,” there is some push back with quotes from Malcom X on his hajj experience, but I didn’t feel like the character really ever accepted that Islam is a religion for all people, and White is a skin color.  Honestly the book reads like an early 2000 memoir.  I know it is fiction, but the cultural be-a-doctor-nothing-else-matters-stereotypes, and Islamophobic talking points that feel performative for a Western gaze, combine with a very unlikable arrogant protagonist, and result in a book that was difficult to connect with and get through.

SYNOPSIS:
Al, short for Ali does everything perfect, he has perfect grades, always listens to his parents, and respects the rules.  The book opens with him sneaking off campus with friends for lunch at the mall where he is caught by his grandfather, who seems incredibly strict, but later is the soft spot in a firm family.  His parents have moved to Canada from Pakistan, his mom used to be a teacher, but now takes care of their apartment building, his father was a physician and now drives a taxi.  It is non negotiable that Al will be a physician when he grows up.  The middle child of all brothers, his older brother Sam, short for Osama, has set the bar very high with his valedictorian status in high school, scholarships to start college, and student of the year award in middle school.  Al is in 8th grade and is expected to follow in his footsteps.  When Al’s crush on Melissa results in him writing a poem about her, he realizes he likes the written word to express himself.  His father thinks poetry is a waste of time. With a teacher that encourages creative writing, Islamophobia and hate crimes hitting close to home, and Al coming of age, the story focuses on Al’s 8th grade year as he discovers his own identity, with some help from his friends and the month of Ramadan.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like that his friends really pushed back on him to own some of his internalized Islamophobia.  Zach is probably the most fleshed out character, and his humor, his teacher crush, his ability to apologize and make things right, is really the heart of the book.  It contrasts so greatly to how I feel about Al.  By the end he was ok, but at the beginning, his arrogance is obnoxious. I get that he is bright and a hard worker, but, yikes, he needs some humbleness.  The supporting characters are rather flat.  Al’s crush Melissa is shallow and only desired for her appearance, Dad is strict and demanding, not in an abusive way, but in a cold undeveloped way, mom is idyllic and supportive, and Ms. McIntosh is the driving motivator for Al. The other characters do little to flesh out the main players which is unfortunate.  I think some depth would have shown Al more rounded. His so called friends don’t know he is Muslim or what he eats, but they are friends, not just classmates, seems off and lacking.  The grandfather gives all the teachable moments, he starts off stern, and then is not, and the transition is jarring.  He speaks in quotes and lessons, and if it were quirky, it might help the flow of the book, but he really is the Islamic conscience of the book so to speak, but we know so little about him and his relationship with Al.

I didn’t like how fasting and Ramadan were presented. Al is embarrassed by fasting and being different.  I like that it says the family goes to the mosque, not sure why masjid wasn’t used, but there are no Muslim friends and no praying, so it has no real impact, which furthers the feeling that it is performative.  Al doesn’t seem to consider faith or culture until others question him about it, which is a missed opportunity to give Muslim kids a mirror to see themselves in the characters.  There are chapters of the book that really are wonderfully written, they just are sadly too far and few between.

FLAGS:

Crushes, Islamophobia, physical and verbal assault, racism, classism, bullying, lying, sneaking out, discussion of partition violence including great grandfather being killed. The book though, aside from the crush thread at the start and end, is quite clean, and the crush is pretty innocent.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I wouldn’t seek out this book for a classroom shelf, but if it was in the library I would leave it.  I don’t think most kids would pick it up and make it past the first 25 pages though, Al is really unlikeable at the start.

Apr23

Awe-Samosas! by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Bhagya Madanasighe

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Awe-Samosas! by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Bhagya Madanasighe

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I was really enjoying this book about a determined young girl and her dad making samosas for friends, missing Dadijan, adapting and problem solving, an encouraging Urdu speaking parrot, a reference to Ramadan, and incredible illustrations… and then I froze.  On page 32 of the 40 page book it says the word “pepperoni” clearly affirming that the Muslim girl who’s dupatta wearing Dadijan wakes up at fajr to call her, has made pepperoni pizza samosas for her friends.  Perhaps I’m over reacting, it is one word, but I truly cannot get past it.  The first time I recall asserting myself as Muslim was in preschool making pizzas and me telling my teacher at three and half years old that I cannot eat pepperoni.  Sure as a middle aged adult, I know you can get beef or turkey or faux pepperoni, but the standard is pork, and this book does not clarify that it is not pork.  The word is intentional, the story would be exactly the same if it were just a cheesy pizza samosa, yet it articulates it as a peperoni pizza samosa. And I truly cannot fathom why.  Classrooms and libraries will shelve this book, teachers and librarians will read this book, little Muslim kids that look like Noor, are going to shrink when they get to that line: either they will question if we can have pepperoni (why else was it in Noor’s home), or have to now convince adults and classmates that the book is wrong in addition to explaining that Muslims do not eat pork, a big task for the intended audience of preschool to third grade.  If you omit that one word, the book is wonderful, layered, joyful, and a lot of fun.

Noor’s friends are coming over, two girls and a boy, for the first time and Noor wants to make samosas to eat with them.  It is too early to call Dadijaan in Pakistan, and Noor thinks she remembers how to make them.  Abbu offers to order pizza, but Noor is determined, even when she discovers they don’t have the necessary ingredients.  She puts on Dadijaan’s kitchen dupatta, and with her parrot, Mithoo, encouraging her every time she gets stuck with “Sab theek hai. Sab theek Hoga! Everything’s great, everything’s going to be okay!” Noor heads to plan B, Awe-Samosas, samosas with unique fillings.

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Noor gets Abbu onboard and helping and when her friends arrive, the turmeric colored pastries are ready for eating.  Some are apple-cinnamon filled, and remind Kaitlin of her grandma’s Fourth of July apple-pie, some are stuffed with honey and pistachio like baklava according to Layla, and Jonathan finds the cheesy peperoni samosa genius.  When Dadijaan sees the pictures Abbu has sent at fajr, she calls and praises Noor with the friends hoping to have another samosa party when she is visiting next.

The book concludes with Dadijaan’s Special Samosa Recipe, and a Glossary.  The book is widely available, including here on Amazon.

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Apr12

Shiny Misfits by Maysoon Zayid and Shadia Amin

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Shiny Misfits by Maysoon Zayid and Shadia Amin

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I admittedly wanted to read this book because the author is of Palestinian descent. I have seen clips of her standup and I’m not a huge fan, although I do appreciate that she doesn’t deny her culture and Islam, doesn’t let her cerebral palsy keep her from working toward her dreams, and that she is successful.  All good messages for a 256 page middle grade graphic novel that is not autobiographical, but draws on her life none-the-less.  I was surprised, though, that there are no Palestinian references in the book, very few Arab cultural touchstones either, and yet swearing on the Quran and not eating pork are presented fairly often, almost as “bits” to be laughed at.  I truly understand that the character is presented as culturally Muslim more than centering Islam in her identity, but perhaps because the protagonist, Bay Ann, is rather unlikeable, it just rubbed me the wrong way.  I love that the people in Bay Ann’s life do not caudle her, and that she is fierce and dramatic and driven, but she is an awful friend, her obsession with Alyee Maq (yes full names are used throughout) gets annoying, and I worry that some of the humor will be missed for the younger target audience and be taken as Muslim or Arab norms.  The presentation of a disability in a well illustrated graphic novel is empowering, an amazing Arab dad is nice to see, a divorced family co-parenting is important, but the foundation for much of the story is Bay Ann’s crush on Alyee Maq, he does kiss her on the cheek for social media likes, the book starts with Halloween Idol, features dancing throughout, and concludes with a Nondenominational Holiday Spectacular.  Bay Ann’s mom is not very kind or involved, and Alyee Maq’s mom, the only hijabi in the book, also is rather rough.  This is a book where I acknowledge my own overthinking, as both an adult reader and reviewer.  If you are ok with the (random) Islamic rep, kids will benefit from seeing Bay Ann as a fully capable person who happens to have a disability.  I’d suggest seeing if your local library has the book and looking through it first to see if you are comfortable passing it on to your kids.

SYNOPSIS:

Bay Ann is a tap dancer and with Halloween Idol coming up, she plans to win.  Her best friend Michelle is going to do her make-up as a zombie bride, and be her zombie bridesmaid with Davey Matt, the third in their trio, being the dead ring-bearer dog.  They can’t be her backup dancers because she is a one woman show, but she needs them to cheer her on.  When she wins, she has the spotlight stolen from her by Alyee Maq kissing her claiming he is making “a sick girls dream come true.” The clip goes viral, as Alyee Maq is a bit of a celebrity and the competition is on.  Whether it is science fair, social media posts, or the class debate, Bay Ann is determined to knock Alyee Maq down, claim the online spotlight, and  prove her talent is more than her disability.  With each attempt failing, her resolve grows stronger and her tunnel vision pushes those closest to her away, as she joins Alyee Maq with the hopes that if she can’t beat him, she will join him and achieve the fame she seeks.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I know the book is rather intentionally ridiculous, but I wanted to cheer for Bay Ann, and I never really liked her.  I don’t like how she treats Davey Matt, or even Michelle.  If she was better to them at the beginning, I think it would have shown how disconnected her mom Malak is as well as the school administrators, and made it more funny, but it truly just makes her seem like she is awful to everyone, and thus you don’t really find yourself invested in her stardom, her friendships, or her defining her own narrative.

I wish their was some Arab rep, not just a few Arabic words tossed in here and there.  I also wish there was more Islamic centering, or honestly even less. The swearing on the Quran really bothered me, Friday prayer is mentioned in passing, but there is no impact on the characters or the story, so it seemed misplaced.

The pacing of the story is rushed, and at times a bit chaotic.  I think it is intentional, but it makes it hard to connect to the characters or to grasp their motivations.  I don’t know that I truly ever understood why Bay Ann wants the spotlight, or why Alyee Maq is famous, or why Davey Matt hangs around Michelle and Bay Ann when they belittle him. It doesn’t need to be thoroughly explained, but when you finish the book, and feel exhausted, but can’t even articulate what the book was really about other than a girl that wants to be famous for her talent not her shaking, and won’t let anything or anyone get in her way, it seems like some opportunities were missed.

FLAGS:

Close male and female friendships with touching, an unwanted kiss, lying, manipulation.  Swearing on a Quran, disrespect. Using people.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I don’t know that I would seek this book out to own, but in an Islamic school library if it found its way in, I would probably not object to it being shelved.