Tag Archives: friends

Feb5

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan

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Drawing Deena by Hena Khan

This 232 page middle grade read with a beautiful cover, has a beautiful heart as well.  A Muslim girl in a Muslim family is struggling with anxiety and family financial stresses, remarkably the book avoids tropes of blaming immigrant parents, culture, or religion.  It also doesn’t have any relationship crushes, or catty friends, bullies, or annoying sibling squabbles.  It was refreshing to see a strong character that seemed to not lack a voice, really find her voice,  advocate for herself and those she loves, apologies when in the wrong, and be surrounded by friends and family members that truly love one another.  I also appreciate that a licensed school psychologist was consulted and named in the backmatter.  As with nearly all Hena Khan chapter books, there is Islam and culture, but as an Islamic school librarian, I long for more.  There are a few inshaAllahs, mashaAllahs, salams, and references to praying, there is one solid paragraph that mentions dua, dhikr, and the Quran, but that is about it in a book that focuses a lot on fashion, make-up, social media, drawing portraits and hanging them in the home.  The protagonist is in middle school, but this is a solid middle grade read that teachers and librarians can feel confident having on the shelves and sharing with students.

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SYNOPSIS:

Deena loves art and to draw, she’s also really good at it.  She longs to take extra classes outside of school, but she knows it isn’t a priority with her bite guard already causing a lot of stress on the already financially strapped family.  Overhearing her parents fights about money adds to her anxiety and makes her nauseous every morning before school.  Determined to help her mom grow her basement clothing boutique, and increase the family income, she dabbles in social media, designs a logo, and sets up a website.  One of the new customers is a real life artist, who encourages Deena to look at art differently, and offers to take her under her wing to teach her about the power of art and decolonizing her mind. Things are starting to look up for Deena, but a disagreements with her cousin Parisa, feeling like she let a close friend down, and being overwhelmed at an immersive Van Gogh exhibit culminate with her having a panic attack at school.  The school counselor wants her to attend some therapy sessions at the school, but first Deena will have to convince her parents that this is something she needs and wants.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I mentioned a lot of my likes and loves above, but really it is a solid middle grade read where the character just happens to be Pakistani American and Muslim.  I like that Deena is just a sweet girl.  I think a lot of kids that have the emotional intelligence to know how fortunate and privileged they are, often push down their emotions and troubles, because they know others have it worse, don’t want to worry their parents, and/or seem ungrateful, and that this book can normalize getting help, advocating for yourself, and communicating with your parents, is really quite impressive.  Deena has a diverse group of friends, religion doesn’t come up much or seem to shape her perspective which is unfortunate, but it doesn’t make things harder for her either.  She isn’t bullied, there is no Islamophobia, or self-othering or stereotypes.  Deena is who she is, with a good head on her shoulders, and throughout the book you find yourself cheering for her and her success.

FLAGS:

She does draw faces, and they talk of hanging up the images in the living room.  There isn’t lying, but it kind of skirts the line at times. Anxiety.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

For even a young middle school book club, I think this book would be a quick read, but open the door for some quality discussion about anxiety that would benefit middle graders and up.  The book on the shelf will tempt readers, and handing it to kids will yield results.

The book goes on sale February 6, 2024 and you can preorder/order it here.

Jan26

Gates and Tales by Sally Zaki illustrated by Arwa Ali

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Gates and Tales by Sally Zaki illustrated by Arwa Ali

This 34 page picture book is adorably illustrated as it focuses on the gates leading to Masjid Al-Aqsa and sprinkles in culture, sights, and history about Palestine along the way.  I love the concept, it is unique, and I love that there are maps throughout of the masjid compound.  I truly learned a lot even though it is for early readers, naturally I wish there was a scannable QR code to learn more, but as an adult, with my kids, or in a classroom it would not be hard to search up Bab Al-Amud, Qubbat Al-Sakhra, Bab Al-Sahira, Salah Al-Din, Masjid Al-Qibli, Bab Al-Khalil, Al-Quds Citadel, Qaitbay’s Fountain, Bab Al-Asbat, or Qubbat Al-Silsilah.  Islam is also woven in, not just in the architecture or history, but also in mentioning the sunnah of fasting on Thursdays, quoting an ayat from the Quran in the text, and the kids meeting up to pray.  The writing isn’t super great,  it breaks down the fourth wall regularly, calling the readers “friends” and asking them to find things in the illustrations, their missing friends, and about foods and the flags of their country.  I’m not sure why the book hopes the readers are “from countries surrounding Palestine,” I found that a little off putting, and I’m not sure why we are supposed to memories the “gates by heart,” or how at the end we are now “victorious heroes.”  Even the defined words at the end, are a bit haphazard: za’atar, falafel and sido, being the only words highlighted, in a book with many Arabic words present. Presumably the reader found all the friends so they did reunite, it seemed to kind of falter, I thought they would show something they all love, or share some snacks, but the book, just kind of ended.  I like that the book is joyful and upbeat, I do appreciate that the last lines do mention that “Palestine is occupied today.  One day, insha’Allah, it’ll be free,” inshaAllah, inshaAllah, inshaAllah.

The book starts with Nidal introducing himself to the reader and letting you know he is going to take you on a special journey through four different gates.  He then asks the reader if they know where we are, before showing us Palestine on the globe.  He is going to “meet his pals at Masjid Al-Aqsa nestled east of the Old City of Al-Quds and includes the entire area inside the wall surrounding the Masjid.”  I love that it explains the area within the walls and the map on the opposite page is helpful.  

His mom has prepared him some snacks to share with his pals, and he puts on his Palestinian flag backpack before heading off.  He goes through Victory Gate.  Then his friend Aisha takes over and tells what gate she is entering through, shares details about the flower carved at Bab Al-Shira, and that her Sido would tell her about Salah Al-Din when they walked down Salah Al-Din street together to get to Masjid Al-Qibli, with its gray dome. Khaled and Jihad follow the same format and the book ends with the kids sitting in front of the Dome of the Rock asking what gate the reader will come through.  

I purchased my copy from Crescent Moon Bookstore here and if you use code ISL at checkout you will save 10%.

Jan24

A Little Piece of Ground By Elizabeth Laird with Sonia Nimr

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A Little Piece of Ground By Elizabeth Laird with Sonia Nimr

img_2165-1There are so few Palestinian middle grade books, so on that premise alone this 216 page book has a lot of value.  Because I am not Palestinian, I do not live, nor have I ever lived under occupation, I can argue some of the concerns from a point of privilege, and I acknowledge that is not my right.  I have been asked numerous times about this book and how it frames the suicide bombing mentioned in the text and blurbed about on the back of the book. It honestly is not a large part of the story, that being said, in my outside privileged view, I do not know that a 10 year old in the west will have context to understand the act of this level of desperation from the oppression and humiliation mentioned in the book. This is why I have held off my review.  The truth does not need to be defended or explained, and I fear my reservations will be taken as such, which is not my intention.  Would I let me 8 year old read this, yes, but we will read it together and discuss.  My children are aware of what is going on in Palestine, but Karim, the 12-year-old protagonist supports the bomber, and that notion is not clearly pushed back on. With discussion, absolutely, I think readers, will truly get Karim’s perspective that something has to be done to change the status quo.  The fear when Karim is alone and the target of soldiers, the settlers forcibly seizing the family land, the humiliation of strip searching men at checkpoints, the curfews, and constant fear of attack and imprisonment are all presented through the main character’s eyes, and would also do better with some discussion, so that empathy and duas and action can result.  But, the commentary as to the suicide bombing are minimal, there is even a prank package bombing that is presented as rebellion by a side character, and I would worry how a young child, without guidance, would internalize it.   Additionally, this is yet another difficult book for me to review, primarily because it was first published in 2003, and because I don’t know how much comes from a western gaze and how much the Palestinian voice played into it. Islam is clear on the prohibition of suicide.  In the early 2000 the news out of Israel was often about such attacks, but as an outsider, I honestly do not know if it was simply Israeli propaganda and stereotypes amplifying the idea as part of their public relations strategy or reality, seeing as now that Palestinians have direct outlets to share their daily life under an oppressive occupation, there is rarely talk of suicide bombing attacks. The author states on her website:

“I first visited Israel in 1968, and enjoyed a warm welcome from many Israeli friends. Later, I lived in Beirut with my husband and son during the civil war there, and became aware for the first time of the tragedy of the Palestinian refugees. I visited both Gaza and Ramallah, in the occupied territories, in 2002, while leading workshops for Palestinian writers. I was appalled by the circumstances in which people were living, and became aware that we in the West know very little of what life is like for Palestinians living under military occupation.

I have written A Little Piece of Ground in collaboration with Sonia Nimr, a Palestinian archaeologist, storyteller, writer and translator, who lives in Ramallah. We have tried to make our story as true to life as we can.”

The book is a hard read at times, but the joy is there.  Just as we as adults scroll through the devastation, the humanity persists.  The world may try and forget that they are attempting to erase a rich culture, but even in this book, their is laughter, and crushes, and sibling squabbles, and soccer games and friendship, and food, and joy.  There is a little Islam, not much, the main character is Muslim, a best friend is Christian.  It isn’t present in their everyday thoughts and actions, more just in identifying their faith.

SYNOPSIS:

Karim and his friends are not so much different than 12-year-olds everywhere, he loves video games, playing sports, isn’t so sure what he wants to be in the future, wonders what he will look like as he grows up, and is often annoyed with his family who he loves dearly.  Karim’s life in Ramallah is also unique, he lives under curfew, he doesn’t have freedom of movement, opportunity, or equal rights, and a simple family outing can be life altering.

The book follows Karim and his group of friend as they discover a patch of land they decide to turn into a soccer field, to claim as their own.  They work on it on days they can sneak away after school, in windows of time between curfews, and before long start to take pride in what the land can be. Adopting cats, learning about new friends from the refugee camp next store, teasing siblings about their crushes is all in contrast to Karim watching his father be stripped searched at a check point, being chased off their family land when they are harvesting olives by settlers shooting at them, and pranking soldiers in desperation of fighting back against oppression.

When soldiers roll in and occupy the land the boys have claimed, symbolic of their whole country, Karim gets stuck barricaded in an old abandoned car for days, with soldiers aiming their sights on him, and wondering if he will survive.

FLAGS:

Suicide, systemic abuse, oppression, humiliation, dehumanization, killing, beating, apartheid, genocide, violence, stripping, lying, crushes, occupation, shootings, injuries.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This book does not need tools to be discussed.  It itself is a tool, to help middle grade kids be aware that this cruelty has been occurring for 75 years, this book took place 20 years ago, and today we just have social media sharing these stories more widely.  InshaAllah soon, Palestine will be free.

You can purchase this book here at Crescent Moon Store where code ISL at checkout saves you 10%

Sep15

Majdi Mansoor and the Book of Miracles by Anisa Bezak

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Majdi Mansoor and the Book of Miracles by Anisa Bezak

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I don’t think I have ever seen or even heard of any dystopian Islamic fiction reads, we have a handful of Islamic historical fiction, and dystopian with Muslim characters, but the genre made me curious, and with that motivation I began the 458 page book.  The beginning didn’t immediately grip me, but I told myself to read a hundred pages before deciding to DNF it or keep reading, and long before that arbitrary mark, I was intrigued by the story, invested in the characters, and impressed by the consistent writing, pacing, and role of Islam.  The book is preachy and idyllic, but that is to be expected, the way Islamic ideas and concepts and concerns were included as plot points though, is surprisingly well done.  For much of the story, I kept wondering who the target audience would be.  The vocabulary is a bit advanced, and the pages full of small text.  The book starts story wise-solid middle grade, but I think by the end I would recommend this book for advanced middle grade or early middle school Muslim readers.  I’ve heard from some adults that they read a chapter to their kids each night, and I think that aloud younger kids might also enjoy the story and be swept away to a future land run by a corporation where religion is banned, books are a thing of the past, a boy speaks only in Quranic ayats and hadith, and bullies of all sizes will have to be faced.

SYNOPSIS:

Twelve year old Jacob is an orphan in Tanas World and is unwillingly part of a gang.  One day in a boarded up old building he finds a book, a physical book, the Quran.  Religion is not allowed, Islam most of all, but he reads the book, and even though he doesn’t believe, he keeps rereading the pages.  When an attempt to steal some tech takes him outside the boundaries of the walled off city, he meets a small boy, Majdi Mansoor, who talks in a peculiar way. When threatened by the gang, Jacob decides to take Majdi’s side and that one act sets the two boys on a course that will change them forever.

I don’t want to give away too much, but Jacob is taken in by the Mansoor family who live in isolation and in hiding outside Tanas Corps patrols.  The parents are kidnapped, the children seek to save them and along the way meet smugglers, a Muslim community corrupted by bidah and djinn, Muslim Defense Unit rebels seeking revenge, and the executives who want the MEECA device to imprison the planet.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I was honestly impressed with the quality of writing, but I honestly don’t know if it was because my expectations were so low, or in fact was sufficiently edited and refined.  The characters have heart, the world building is believable, and the Islam is handled with an even hand.  At times members of the Mansoor family are too “good,” but Jacob has a sense of humor, is fallible, and curious which allows the story to stay moving and on task. There are some major plot points that are not resolved, and I’m assuming the political details will play out in the second book.  I’m hoping at least. The book doesn’t talk down to the reader, but older readers might find it too preachy.

I’m hoping my early teens who love Islamic fiction chapter books such as The Broken Kingdom series, The Adventure of Nur Al-Din books, and The Moon of Masarrah quartet will similarly enjoy this.

FLAGS:

Death, bullying, manipulation, assault, revenge, danger, whispers of shatan, bidah

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I would love to do this as a Middle School book club, I think it would be a bit too cheesy, but I think there would be some great discussions to be had about seeking, temptation, bidah, forgiveness, and the way that Majdi talks and Islam is woven in to the text.

Aug28

The Big Yard Sale: David Learns How to Treat Customers by Tariq Touré illustrated by Anika Sabree

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The Big Yard Sale: David Learns How to Treat Customers by Tariq Touré illustrated by Anika Sabree

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David Kareem is back and learning how to treat customers at his neighborhood yard sale.  The 26 page rhyming poem, turned children’s book (note there is little punctuation) is brightly illustrated as it follows David on his selling journey.   With Mommy’s baking and guidance on how to treat customers, his Saturday morning offers lots of lessons, mistakes, learning, and entrepreneurship for David and the reader alike.  There is a hint about a smile being charity, an Imam stops by, and David puts on a kufi.  It has good lessons and the same community vibe as the first book David’s Dollar, with visible Muslims in the illustrations and with Muslim names in the text throughout. But there was a page with two typos which disappointed me, a changing number of cinnamon rolls, and when the copy arrived it was pretty damaged and bent (probably/possibly not the fault of the author, but it cost $25 through the preorder Launchgood, so disappointing none-the-less, alhumdulillah you can now purchase it here from Amazon for $12).

David wakes up and hears commotion outside, he thinks he left a toy on, but soon realizes the neighbors have their stuff on tables and are selling things.  David wants in on the action, but can’t figure out what to sell.  He seems to gather up some toys and household items in the early illustrations, but ultimately it is about him selling his mother’s cinnamon rolls.  She is a baker, and is testing them out, but he says he only needs five and is off to peddle his wares.

The first costumer comes, and leaves, he asks his mom what he did wrong, and she advises him to adjust his attitude by smiling.  They look at Brother Naeem as an example. The next costumer comes, but asks if he can warm up the now six cinnamon rolls in the illustrations.  David says no, and once again he turns to his mom to find out why.  She tells him that “the customer is always right” heads off to get a heat lamp, and uses Sister Khadijah selling beads for reference.  When Imam Musa comes, David completes the sale, but Mommy says he needs to learn gratitude.

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One page has “He’s” when it should be “He,” and “sleep” when it should be “asleep.”  I get the lack of punctuation is stylistic, but I don’t feel like these two on the same page are intentional, they just seem erroneous, and being that they are on the same page, makes it seem like the page was just missed perhaps in editing.

Overall I enjoyed the presentation, representation and content of this book and am glad I preordered it months ago. I wish it had a smidgen more Islam in it, but I think this book would be great in an early elementary story time with recently traditionally published books about business for a similar demographic, including the author’s earlier book, David’s Dollar. Teaching kids about entrepreneurship, ethics, gratitude and doing it with Muslim characters is incredible to see and important to share.

Jul14

Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy

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Huda F Cares? by Huda Fahmy

There is nothing quite like reading a YA graphic novel where you feel so completely seen, where you laugh out loud and snort at the shared idiosyncrasies, and where you don’t have to worry that the next page will normalize something haram.  This book, and the entire series, are such a gift to us all that I’m posting this review now, knowing full well that the book does not release until October, with the hopes that you will all preorder it.  This OWN voice authentic rep needs all the support we can offer it to signal to publishers that we want to see books like this published for our kids, ourselves, to share with our Muslim and non Muslim friends and that we want to see similar unapologetic voices in the future.  Huda loves Islam, she is Muslim, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel uneasy at the idea of praying in public, or making wudu at a rest stop.  Her sisters sing Native Deen’s M-U-S-L-I-M to call her out, she fan girls about We Hunt the Flame, and the entire book reads like time spent with friends who can keep you laughing, comfort you when needed, and who are willing to share their very real relatable world with you as they take on Disney World.

SYNOPSIS:

It is summer and Huda and her family are heading on a road trip to Disney World. One sister hangs back for a Quran intensive, the one sister she likes.  Determined to make the best of it she piles in the back seat of the family car with her three other sisters and they hit the road.  The 24 hour one way trip is filled with sibling bickering, rest stop stresses, and parental gems.  Once they get to the park though, their parents have some surprises for them, and Huda finds herself bonding with her sisters despite herself.

FLAGS:

Fart jokes, bullying, punching, self defensive, hitting a boy in the privates for attempting to pull off a hijab, forced physical touch, lying, nothing YA can’t manage.  The title might seem crude to some, I, personally, love the ownership of one’s name, but the book is not offensive.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This book won’t work as a book club selection, but I hope it finds its way to every home, middle school and up class and library.  Boys and girls will enjoy the content and I have no doubt, like the other books in the series preteens and teens will be regularly thumbing through the pages giggling and sharing their favorite parts.  You can preorder your copy here https://amzn.to/44Be87O

Please preorder if you can, and if you cannot please request your public library to shelve it, check it out, read, suggest, and enjoy!

Definitely one of my favorite books of the year, decade…..ever?

Jul7

The Unlovable Alina Butt by Ambreen Butt-Hussain

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The Unlovable Alina Butt by Ambreen Butt-Hussain

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This middle grade book in many ways reads like a memoir, it isn’t, it is OWN voice fiction, but the chapters often come across like short stories with their own climax or punchline.  The lacking continuity of smaller threads being resolved means if you put the book down, you aren’t necessarily itching to pick it back up to see what happens next.  There isn’t a larger pressing conflict driving much of the book, yes the girl is bullied, but by one kid, and she has a great group of friends and a supportive family, so the intensity is just not present.  I do like the growth of the character toward self-acceptance, but I don’t know that the target audience will get the 90s references of Spice Girls,  CDs, lava lamps, and gel pens.  The book hits most of the stereotypical immigrant tropes of feeling othered by one’s name, clothes, food, and while she works through them to deal with the bully and find her own confidence, she unfortunately never deals with her internalized Islamophobia, which is disappointing.  She puts Islam on her parents as something they practice, and only begrudgingly seems to acknowledge she too is Muslim when she doesn’t eat pizza with non halal meat.  She is embarrassed when her friends see Islamic calligraphy at her house, hear the athan, she doesn’t reply to her parents salaams, she calls her mother “the most devout in our family” as the reason she has to wear tights under her skirt: she only seems to ok with being Muslim when outsiders give their approval.  The book for me is mediocre, nothing to rush out and buy, nor anything to pull from shelves.  I’ll send my copy to the Islamic school library shelves as the book is fairly clean: a few giggles about naked statues at the museum and very lightly hinted at boy/girl crushes. The older sister deals with a boy who wants to date her and harasses her to the point of affecting her personality, but I think if a 10 or 11 year old picked up the book and read it, they would be ok to see the characters finding their voice, good friends, and sibling support.

SYNOPSIS:

Eleven year old Alina Butt is in her fourth school in three years since arriving in England from Pakistan.  She never fits in, and never has friends, but she is determined that if she can keep her last name a secret, she might have a chance.  One the third day of 6th grade though, her last name becomes known and Adam Atkins has his eyes set on giving her a hard time.  With encouragement from her older sister and love from her baby brother, Alina puts herself out there to make friends and when the teacher assigns her a new group, she finds herself among three girls happy to welcome her in.  The new group also puts her sitting across from Adam, but at least now she doesn’t have to face him alone.

At home, she navigates life as an immigrant trying to blend her worlds.  Her loving family lives above the grocery store they own and face Islamophobia and settling in together as they each have to find their strength and voice and resilience to drive, stand up to harassment, and for Alina, to love herself.  Alina gets the courage to try out for the school play, but when she lands the part of Gus in Cinderella, she has to dig deep to be happy for her friend, forgive a bully, and step in to the spotlight.

WHY I LIKE IT:

Alina is likeable enough, and I love that she grows to love herself too, I’m not sure she was ever unlovable though as the title suggests.  I don’t like that potentially really big plot points are mentioned and then abandoned.  She cuts her bangs way too short, her mom says something and no one else ever mentions it, and she never brings it up again.  Her dad is so sick he leaves the truck on the side of the road and sleeps and the mom takes care of everything, and what was wrong with the dad is never revisited.  These are just two examples of rising action that present that they are going to be important that are seemingly undermined by the lack of follow through.

I love that she finds a way to stand up to the bully and she even helps her sister deal with the boy antagonizing her.  It is strong and resonates with the reader, but it should also be noted that as soon as she has friends, they are gossiping and being rude to Adam too.  I’m not saying it isn’t warranted, and he definitely is worse, but if she is modeling behavior she should perhaps at least feel bad teasing him even before she knows that he has a bit of a rocky home life.  Plus he is one kid with two stereotypical sidekicks, yeah he is annoying and mean, but she has friends and family and teachers that are completely on her side too.  And Adam bullies her about her name, but no one else even acknowledges it or asks her about it.

I didn’t quite get the schooling, but it is probably because I am American.  She is in middle school, but she has one teacher all day and they play on the soccer fields at break and her kg aged brother does field day with her?   The 90s references were fine for me, but I don’t know that the target audience will get some of them, and it might be a little annoying to get through for younger readers.

Ultimately, the way Islam was presented was really disappointing.  It feels like we should be past the internalized othering of our faith.  The culture was worked through and appreciated internally for Alina, but for some reason, religion was only ok when the outside influences deemed it acceptable, and I’m not sure that in 2023 this angle of narrative is doing anyone any favors.  She loves her mom, and part of the character arc is seeing and appreciating her mother’s strength, but very early on mom is labeled as “devout” even though they are all Muslim.  And this self othering to be the reason her mom is keeping her from dressing like everyone else left a bitter taste in my mouth.  Never once does it feel that Alina has a connection to Allah swt, no matter what she is going through there is no bismillah, or prayer, or dua to ask for help, and strength, or show appreciation.  I absolutely get that not every story will have that, but the way Islam is presented as something foreign and never circled back on or portrayed as something that she embodies, makes all the mentions of faith seem deliberately othering, and as a Muslim book reviewer, I feel it is an important point to mention about this book. I wonder if it was intentional or an oversight sensitivity reading would have helped resolve.

FLAGS:

Birthdays, music, bullying, harassment, teasing, othering, mention of naked statues, some sneaking and dishonesty.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I wouldn’t use this as a book club selection, and as stated above I wouldn’t rush out to buy the book to shelve at home, in a class or school library, but if it found its way to the shelves I would not remove it.  The book has heart, I just feel like along the way the messaging of finding your voice and putting yourself out there to make friends, the book also hints that the Quran on your walls, modesty, the athaan, eating halal, are all things that are weird, unless your friends think it is cool, then it is ok- and that is not messaging I would really want to spread.

Jun5

The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

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The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale by Aya Khalil illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan

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This follow-up picture book to The Arabic Quilt, takes readers back to Kanzi’s school, but also works as a standalone for ages 7-10.  Addressing the hot topic of book banning, the fictional story brings the discussion down to an elementary level and shows kids speaking up and pushing back against something they don’t agree with.  The main character finds a connecting thread to events in Egypt, and with her class and family behind her, she finds her voice and takes the lead.  The story bounces around a bit and feels a little rough and underdeveloped at times, but the subject matter is important and can be used to help guide discussions, encourage peaceful protesting, and taking action.  There is nothing Islamic specific in the text, the main character’s mom and teita wear hijab and are in the illustrations (#muslimsintheillustrations), in a memory of Egypt there is a man holding a cross.  The author is Muslim and mentions it in the Author’s Note at the end.

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The book starts with Kanzi leading the class to the library, she passes the Arabic quilt she helped bring to life and walks a little taller.  She has promised her Teita she will bring home a book with Arabic words from the library, but when she walks in to the library, the “bookcase where the new diverse books were displayed has been emptied.”  The librarian explains that the books have been banned.  That the school district, like many others around the country, have decided certain books are not allowed. Kanzi is upset, but her classmates “gather near (her) in solidarity. They want her to know that they care, too.”

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Back in class the teacher opens up the discussion, and Kanzi can’t find her words.  Kareem says it is unfair and when the teacher explains that people are responding by protesting, writing letters, and buying more copies of banned books.  Kanzi finds her voice and suggests a bake sale.  Kareem suggests they raise money to buy books that are banned and call it “The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale and Protest.” Molly adds that they can put the books in Little Free Libraries. The class agrees that Friday will be the day, that baked foods inspired by books that are banned will be sold to raise funds to buy more banned books, and the local news station will be invited to broadcast the protest.

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Kanzi helps Teita make baklawa from a book they once read, while her grandma tells her stories of protesting in Tahrir Square.  Teita held a banner and demanded rights for the people of Egypt. Friday comes, and the kids are determined to be heard, as the crowd grows, Kanzi’s nerves also grow, but her strength comes from those that support her and who have also spoken up to be heard.

I enjoyed the illustrations and the backmatter.  The inclusion of a baklawa recipe and insight to how this story came about with the banning of The Arabic Quilt, definitely adds to the book’s appeal.  I felt a little disconnect though from the emotions of the book, and oddly enough, little connection to the characters.

I wish it would have shown her joy when she first saw the diverse book display.  How it made her feel seen and valued and included to see books that reflected her and her classmates.  Then we, the readers,  would feel the pain too, now that they are gone.

I also was a little unsure of the scene when all the kids gather around Kanzi in solidarity, why is she the only one upset? Is it that they care about her or that they care that the books are no longer available? Sure it can be both, but again, as it is written, it isn’t particularly strong.

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I’m not sure why the three characters named in the book Kanzi, Kareem, and Molly, do not have their names shown on the Arabic quilt pictured in the illustrations, and I also don’t know why it bothered me that the book banned that had baklawa/baklava was not named.  I don’t care that it isn’t a real book, but I wanted a title to make the case of how ridiculous this ban is more articulate.  Additionally, I love Little Free Libraries, but it seemed tossed in without much fleshing out. The book doesn’t explain what Little Free Libraries are, so I’m not sure that kids will even understand the plan.

The book is a decent read, I don’t know that the climax or characters will be memorable on their own, which is unfortunate because connection with the success or failure of this fictionalized book ban really could have radiated out of the book and deeply inspired kids.  The reversal of the boards decision doesn’t directly link to the kids’ actions.  I had to provide that link to my own kid when I read the book to him (he is almost 8).  It is implied, but a line or two about how the kids protest encouraged other people to also speak up, or write letters, or that the school board attended the bake sale, would have shown that when voices amplify it is hard to ignore them.

The book has value on the shelf and can be preordered here https://amzn.to/3C5Baaj

Jun2

When a Brown Girl Flees By Aamna Qureshi

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When a Brown Girl Flees By Aamna Qureshi

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I was both nervous and excited to read this contemporary book having loved the author’s fantasy, but unsure how a Brown Muslim Pakistani American girl running away from home would be presented.  Alhumdulillah, the author approached the story from a place of love.  There is no internalized Islamophobia, self othering, or in broad strokes even an identity crisis. The protagonist has made decisions, drastic ones, and is trying to piece her life back together on her own terms, but the love of culture, family and faith, is always upheld.  It reads like Islamic fiction, with very didactic passages and moral positioning, I’m still quite surprised that it is traditionally published.  The version I read had grammar errors, so I’m hoping that they will be corrected when the book releases in a few weeks.  The story is engaging, but the writing a bit monotone.  Much of the story is telling, not showing, and because of the surface level spoon feeding of so much of the plot, when the catalyst or rationale is not provided, the book seems underdeveloped, or lacking, unfortunately.  I would not recommend this book for the target audience of YA readers (12/13 and up) it contains sex, slut shaming, self harm, depression, suicidal thoughts, physical and emotional abuse, profanity, and mentions drug use.  I do think though, early college age readers will enjoy and benefit from reading the book.  At a time in the reader’s life when they are defining themselves on their own terms, owning up to their own mistakes and laying out a future path, this book will provide relatability amplified by religious and cultural touchstones.  The heart of the story is the connection of a girl with Allah swt after she has sinned, the guilt and regret she feels, and how she finds herself, and returns to try and fix things with her family.  The characters are flawed and the overall messaging beautiful, hopeful and uplifting.  Unfortunately, it just reads like an early draft and I wish it had a bit more refinement.  Keeping that in mind though, it does have a place, and I’m glad to see our “new adults”  can find reflections of  themselves in a piece of literature that amplifies their Islamic identity instead of criticizing or questioning it.

SYNOPSIS:

The book starts with Zahra deciding to run away from home.  She parks her car, leaves her phone and catches a flight to New York from California.  The reader doesn’t exactly know why she is running, only that a few days after high school graduation she is escaping a toxic home life, an impending wedding, and misery.  As the story peels back layers we start to see some of the nuance of what she is running from as characters from her past find her and physical space allows her some perspective to see her own role in her “old” life.  When she arrives in New York, it isn’t the city life that she seeks, but rather the nature and pace of Long Island that offers her a fresh start.  She heads to the masjid, makes a friend, and starts to put her life together without parental obligation, outside interference, and self loathing.  She cannot run forever though and she cannot escape herself.  She must confront her past, own her mistakes, be honest with her new friends, and find peace with her family, not because she has to as a Brown daughter of immigrants, but because she trusts Allah, loves her family, and wants to “fix” things.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I’m a sucker for books that show redemption through the love and mercy of Allah (swt).  Yeah her new friends were idyllic in their family life, relationships and worship, but we all want friends that make us better Muslims, so I let it slide. Islam is centered, she wears hijab, she reconnects with salat, it is her identity even when she is just going through the motions. The author at times conflated culture and faith, but it never issues blanket statements or falls into universal stereotypes for Desi culture or Muslims.  She does a good job of keeping the negatives to the people and the critiques to the failure to push back on dangerous expectations. My issues weren’t the character flaws either, I’m onboard with the messiness of being human and the ability to seek and receive forgiveness from our creator.  I just wanted to feel things more.  So much was just told when it should have been shown.  I wanted to see the stress and anguish of her family life, not simply told it was depressing.  I wanted to see her cutting life long friends out and being isolated, not told she had lost her friends.  The book focuses on her running, and why she ran, but a big plot point for why she ran, having sex, needed more fleshing out.  Why was she driven to such an act? I know that she was depressed, I’m not belittling that, but what pushed her to such a strong stance, when she was already allowed on the school trip, she hadn’t yet been given the ultimatum and over and over the book says “I miss my family,”” I miss my home,” “I miss my mom.”  I didn’t feel the connection or understand what she was feeling, thinking, and it seemed like a huge hole in the book.  For all the themes of mental illness, faith, generational trauma, misogyny, abuse, expectation, depression, lying, culture, life choices, higher education, family dynamics, self harm. the book never quite felt rich with emotion or deeper than the surface level story.  At the beginning the author says she first wrote the book when she was a senior in high school, and while that may have made the main character’s perspective and voice ring true, as a successful author now, I wish she would have added the nuance, the insight, the subtlety that would have drawn the reader in and allowed them to get inside Zahra’s head and heart to see her and perhaps even themselves.

FLAGS:

The author and book identify triggers in the book “please be mindful of TWs: depression, anxiety, emotional abuse, physical abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, slut-shaming, PTS.”

There is also music, boys and girls alone in cars together, lying, cursing, generational trauma, misogyny, abuse, expectation, depression, anxiety, guilt, life choices, higher education, family dynamics, cutting, a brother who is often high or smells like weed/pot, it mentions partying, a sexual event, deceit, physically assaulted by a parent.  Nothing haram is glorified, but it is there and it is detailed, and not everything is resolved.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I would not be able to shelve or teach this book in an Islamic school library, but in a college MSA book club or a youth group of a similar age this book would be incredible to read and discuss.

May22

Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow illustrated by Hatem Aly

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Salat in Secret by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow illustrated by Hatem Aly

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It is quite remarkable in the course of 40 pages that so many themes, layers, emotions, windows, mirrors, and relevance can radiate with ease and entertainment for children four and up.  The authenticity of the text and illustrations create tangible feels in this book, that months after reading it for the first time, I am still moved to tears, both inspired by joy and as a cathartic release of being seen.  The true mastery is that even if you are not Muslim and cannot relate to the nervousness of praying publicly, you understand Muhammad’s hesitancy and feel for him as he battles not just finding a place, but watching onlookers reactions to his father, police proximity, and being brave enough to push yourself even when you are scared.  Usually when asked what my favorite book is, I stumble to narrow it down to just one, but truly this book has raised the bar of not just traditional publishing representation, but Islamic/Muslim literature across the board.  It is a gift to read, to share, to enjoy, and a blessing that such an unapologetic book is available so widely for our children to connect with, and our non Muslim friends to see us through.  Please spend time with this book and make it available to your children, your students, your community, it really is that good, alhumdulillah.

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It is Muhammad’s birthday and he is seven, “Old enough to pray five times a day,” his father gifts him a prayer rug, and  Muhammad is ecstatic.  He makes wudu that night and offers salat with full attention.  He says the Sunday school words and shares his most wished for wishes to Allah swt, not even letting little sister, Maryama distract him.

After Fajr the next morning, he is determined to find a secret place at school to pray Dhuhr. Daddy doesn’t need secret places, if prayer time comes he pulls his ice cream truck over and prays on the sidewalk, “never delay salat.”  At school, Muhammad heads to Mrs. Baker to ask for a place to pray, but his confidence waivers and he returns to his seat.

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Anxiety about where to pray has him looking for spots throughout the morning, but when recess comes he finds he can’t take the prayer rug out from under his jacket.  He lingers when everyone returns to class and rushes through the words and motions in the coat closet.

That evening he is with his daddy in the ice cream truck and the sunshine and smiles pour out of the two.  When the sun sets it is Maghrib time and Daddy heads to the sidewalk to pray, reassuring Muhammad that he can pray at home.  Muhammad watches his dad and various events spur him to make his decision.

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I love love love the way salat is approached with love and excitement and that the dad embodies safety and joy and does not pressure or force Muhammad.  The relationship is beautiful and allows for worship to be seen as both personal, as well as obligatory and merciful.  The duo also show a great parent child dynamic that warms the heart.

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I like that there really isn’t any “hate” given to anyone praying, it is hinted at, people do not understood, but the focus is not on the outside bystanders- it is what Muhammad thinks and feels.  I’m fairly certain every Muslim who has prayed in public has encountered a wide variety of responses, and this book keeps the gray to reflect and spark conversation.  It is often met with ignorance, with hate, with aggression, but it is also met with respect, apathy, and curiosity which the text and illustrations allow for.

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There is so much love and joy in the book as well as identity, that I don’t mind one bit that my littles ask me to read it over and over.  It is perfect for groups, one-on-one, and I cannot wait to share it in a story time, there is also an incredibly informative and heartfelt Author’s Note at the end.  If you haven’t preordered it yet, the book releases on June 6, 2023, please pre order it and signal the support for this book and future books that center authentic Muslim joy, Black Muslim representation, and OWN voice author and illustrator accuracy.  Request it at your library, put it on hold at your library, check it out, read it.  If you cannot preorder it, still purchase it when you can, inshaAllah it will be a beloved book in your home as well.