Tag Archives: middle grade

Apr14

Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!: A Graphic Novel by Haleh Massey illustrated by Ghazal Qadri

Posted on by
Standard
Say Something, Poupeh Babaee!: A Graphic Novel by Haleh Massey illustrated by Ghazal Qadri

I had planned to just flip through this 176 page middle grade graphic novel to see primarily if there was any Islam mentioned, and if so, to see how it was framed. The blurb makes it clear it is culturally Iranian immigrant in focus, and set during the Muslim ban.  The heightened intrigue is that it isn’t just metaphorically about finding your voice, the character is labeled as having selective mutism and the author who is a clinical psychologist truly has her protagonist voiceless in nearly every setting for the majority of the book. The bright illustrations, and easy read though, had me reading the book front to back and finding that Islam is by-and large-not present. The flashbacks to her life in Iran show her wearing a scarf, and praying, and the memories are warm and inviting, with no internalized Islamophobia or political commentary, or Islamic practices at all following Poupeh to America. In fact when sought after news is finally heard the family exclaims, “it’s a Christmas miracle.”  It is hinted that the female cousin has a girlfriend, and the book features a lot of stereotypes about aggressive men, name mispronunciation, bullying for ethnic foods, and anti immigrant ideologies.  On the plus size it normalizes therapists, shows character arcs for the main and minor characters, and shows that inability to speak, doesn’t mean someone doesn’t understand.  While the book was better than I thought it would be in many ways, it ultimately didn’t have a climax, all the build up for two questions, really fell flat for me.  I also felt like while the Muslim ban was a fairly unique premise (shout out to Kareem Between!) all the other tropes are overly done, and render the book forgettable even though the format of a graphic novel should make it a standout.

SYNOPSIS:

Poupeh Babaee has come to America from Iran alone, her parents were held up settling their affairs, and they didn’t want her to miss more school, so she is sent ahead to stay with her aunt, uncle, and cousin. She understands English, but when she messes up the national anthem on her first day of school and is teased, she simply stops talking, not even to correct when everyone starts calling her “poopy baby.”  When the Muslim ban blocks travel for her parents to come, the fate of her family rests on being able to plead their case in an immigration interview. Yes, she is 10 and will be asked two questions to determine if her parents are terrorists or not.  There is teasing, tension with the cousin she has to share a room with, and a sympathetic therapist that flesh out the story of trying to get Poupeh to say something.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like many of the pieces, and I like the format, but I really felt that the build up to the interview, the pressure she was under, was not warranted by the interview itself.  Had some commentary existed about the brevity of the interview or the chaos of America’s immigration policies perhaps it would have been worth the anticipation.  As written though, it felt rushed.  Same for the portrayal of the men in the story: from Poupeh’s own father, her uncle, to Trevor’s dad, all are aggressive, and I’m glad her own father apologizes, but again, it felt rushed and anti-climatic.  I don’t expect literary masterpieces from most mg graphic novels, but some of the “meanness” seemed abrupt for shock value, and made the cousin, the dad, the uncle read very inconsistent.  I had hoped a therapist author would have brought not just a storyline of mental health, in this case, selective mutism, but some nuance to the immigrant experience, moving beyond food, clothes, and names.  Speaking of names, I googled what Poupeh’s name means in English, and it really should have been in the book, or at least the backmatter.

FLAGS:

Stereotypes, racism, hate speech, hints and relationships, mental health, anger, homesick, bullying,

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

The level and format would not make it a good choice for a book club read.  I probably would not unshelve this book, but I wouldn’t seek it out either.

Mar18

Rainbow Fair by Diana Ma

Posted on by
Standard
Rainbow Fair by Diana Ma

 

If you see this 224 page middle grade book, the title might hint that the content is LGBTQ+ as the rainbow often symbolizes such, but if you look closely at the cover you don’t see a rainbow flag, just a Chinese scene on one side and on the other you will see crescent moon lights being hung up above a masjid silhouette, merging together with a little girl holding a rehal, a book and some art supplies. If you then turn the book over, or search the internet, and read the blurb, you will learn that the book is about Sophie, a Chinese Muslim girl learning and sharing her heritage at the school’s Rainbow Fair. As a result, I requested an arc to read and review. No where does it reveal that the book centers queer characters, LGBTQ+ support and allyship, consistently parallels Islamic faith with sexual and gender identities, and prioritizes intersectional identities and agenda over plot and insight. Had I known this, I wouldn’t have read the book, I share this review simply as a heads up to its contents, so families can decide for themselves if it is for them. The book is MG and honestly, it feels misleading and intentional that it is not articulated in a book meant for nine to 12 year olds.  With identity exploration of being Chinese, a child of immigrants, a main character being bisexual, the protagonist repeatedly claims to want to learn about her Muslim identity, but very little information or interaction with the knowledge is sadly ever shown.  The plot seems to just become a forced juxtaposition of two marginalized communities: Muslim and LGBTQ+, to make the point that we are all more than one label. I understand that my view and practice of Islam, is not every Muslims, but trying to have a faith identity and sexual/gender identity parallel one another by having the protagonist “coming out as Muslim,” and being “outted” as Muslim by her bisexual friend before she is ready, is an awkward read. It continues in this approach comparing a trans character being misgendered in a locker room to a Muslim character not having a space to pray, and likens the diversity of a mosque BBQ to the pride parade. I support finding common ground, but when questions about Muslims stoning gays are left hanging, the reader never getting a convincing answer to why her parents hide their Islam, and there is no real rising action, climax, or character arcs- I feel like the labels and the author’s agenda, even if OWN voice, are the point of the book, and it doesn’t make for a compelling read.

SYNOPSIS:

Sophie and Katie did their school’s Chinese booth together last year at the Rainbow Fair, they are best friends and do everything together, but since Katie has come out as bi, she has new friends and is petitioning to add an LGBTQ+ booth, and the rules say she can only be at one booth.  When a sleep over breakfast calls attention to Sophie not eating bacon, it comes out that she is Muslim, not something she meant to keep secret all these years, but something not even Katie knew about.  When discussions about being Muslim spill over into class when booths are being assigned, Sophie decides to do the Muslim booth. She is afraid her parents will be disappointed, and even though she knows nothing about Islam, she is ready to learn.  A new kid at school, Anna, is Muslim and joins Sophie at the booth, and as the two become friends, Anna tells Sophie there “is more than one way to be Muslim” and of course she is a “real Muslim.”  Empowered by not having to pick one identity, Sophia and Katie and all the other kids change Rainbow Fair and show how everyone is more than just one label.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The premise on the back of the book is promising, I just feel like the book missed meeting its own stated intention. The characters are not developed, there are no moments of growth or self reflection, they have no arc or relatability outside of a label.  Sophie paints her parents to be strict, but the precious little that is shown, never backs that up. As a result the reader has no idea why Sophie doesn’t just tell her parents she is doing the Muslim booth and ask them about Islam. After they see the booth at the fair, they say they don’t talk about Islam because of Islamophobia in America and feeling othered in China, but that is it.  Exploration of that would be a far more interesting story: Why did they leave China for Taiwan? When did they migrate to America, was it recent, or did they slowly start to hide their Islam? Dad learned to read Arabic in Taiwan, what was the Chinese community like? Why don’t they celebrate Eid, but have a Christmas tree, did something happen? Why do they not eat pork but drink alcohol? Sadly the two dimensional parents are not fleshed out and Sophie faults them, while constantly trying not to let Chinese stereotypes define them, but the repetitive contradiction, just leans into the labels and fails to make them feel real and relatable.

The book is all talk and no show, and with no real plot, the talking gets repetitive. Breaking the fourth wall we are taken in circles of the same talking points that more than once had me checking if I had bumped the screen and gone back to pages already read. Threads are introduced and then abandoned: what is the point of the whole roller derby thread aside from showing Sophie makes powerpoints, and her parents give in? The girls never go roller skating, it is not something that bonds them. We only know they are close because we are told they are. The beginning and end show Sophie can smell food and decipher its contents, so why isn’t that part of the story as she is trying to figure out Eid foods, cooking, the lunch offerings at the mosque? It hints that the Black culture booth is being suppressed, but it never develops it, nor articulates any real push back, it just skirts the issue. Why the judge-y competitive aunt and uncle? Is their inclusion meant to make Sophie’s parents more or less likeable? Does it reinforce or dispel Asian stereotypes?

From the very start the book feels forced.  Sophie has never gone to a sleep over, her best friend plans a sleepover birthday, but is willing to change it if Sophie can’t come.  What kind of stilted set up is this, why wouldn’t these bffs plan the birthday together, and get Sophie’s parents on board first? It makes no sense that if she can’t come it will be changed and not be a problem because they are so close and she has to be there. It also immediately contradicts the looming conflict of the book, that the parents are strict.  They gave in to roller derby, they give in to this sleep over, and have no problem that two of the girls are dating that sleep over, and “Shane is non binary and doesn’t identify as a girl or a boy.” Clearly the parents are very supportive.

Consistently Sophie drops words, or cultural practices, but doesn’t explain them or engage with them, both the Chinese historical and cultural rep, and Islamic, quick example, she has a Quran but never reads it, we don’t learn about the immortals her dad wants her to feature at the Chinese booth.  It makes it seem superficial and further distances the reader from connecting with Sophie, with culture, with faith, with the book.  Speaking of books, it really bothered me that two books mentioned as being intersectional, Black Muslim Author, Autumn Allen’s All You Have to Do, and Queer Muslim Author Adiba Jaigirdar’s Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating are YA books, isn’t that off to mention repeatedly books that your target audience won’t know, or be in the demographic yet to read?

I could go on and on, but I will stop, I think it is clear I didn’t enjoy the book. 

FLAGS:

Islamophobia, alcohol, LGBTQ+, microagressions, racism, labels, stereotypes

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
There is no way I could shelve this in an Islamic School.

Feb14

Huda F Wants to Know? by Huda Fahmy

Posted on by
Standard
Huda F Wants to Know? by Huda Fahmy

Huda Fahmy books always make me laugh, but this is the first one that made me cry. Centering mental health and her parents divorce, we see Huda grappling with change, loss, anger, and resolve in a raw vulnerable way. While ever hopeful, and at times comical, the book is also incredibly moving and insightful.  Whether as part of the Huda F series or her two graphic novels prior, her autobiographic books always tackle heavy topics in a joyful, hilarious, honest way that appeal to girls and boys from middle school and up.  I know at 263 pages, this book is a YA read, but in my house my kids (daughter and sons) have loved reading her perspective about hijab, arranged marriages, identity, and sibling relationships. The unapologetic Muslim authenticity is unparalleled, and that non Muslims champion her books as well, truly shows the value of good story telling, and gives me hope in an often bleak world. Huda’s books are staples: new books are anxiously awaited, previous books are regularly reread, and Huda F Wants to Know? continues in that tradition.  This book isn’t just fun, it is important- it normalizes mental health, empowers families shaken up by change, and makes us all feel seen and less alone. SubhanAllah.

The book starts with Huda’s plan for her junior year in high school, her friend Nabz and her are determined to buckle down and get scholarships.  When Huda’s parents call a family meeting, she thinks she just might be getting a car, but instead she and her sisters learn, their parents are getting a divorce. The book then rewinds to show a little lead up before Huda’s world shatters, and junior year’s blue print is tossed aside.  We see her going to the masjid for weekly halaqas where Sr Amal discusses topics like societal pressures, family expectations, gender bias in education, and other relevant topics.  At one such gathering, Dr Haifa came to talk about mental health.  We also see her crushing on a boy at school, fighting with her mom and sisters, and the girls going on a road trip to a Muslim convention.

Every storyline, every twist, every page really, has Islam woven in.  It is the way the characters see themselves, see their world, handle stresses, find peace.  Mental health is not separate from the hadith and sunnah, it is blended and approached in a holistic manner.  Divorce is understood Islamically, and the clarity in which it is articulated will, I imagine, be so reassuring for Muslims who have gone through it, and seen others go through it.  Just as my boys years ago read That Can Be Arranged, and became incredibly curious about marriage in Islam, I have no doubt that this book, will also be a powerful conversation starter for so many.  I don’t know if that is part of why Huda write, but it definitely is a result of her books.  I wish I could ask her, I’d also want to know how she decides what to share of her own life, where the line of reality and fiction for her is and how she sets and maintains those boundaries? I also desperately would like to ask her if she plans to write forever, because the world benefits from her books, needs her books, I know I do.  No pressure or anything.

 There are resources for mental health at the back of the book, some even specifically for Muslims. Please preorder this book and/or request it at your local public library as a show of support, it releases in April.

Dec21

How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil

Posted on by
Standard
How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil

This 276 page book drew me in from the first page and held my attention until the last. I can’t recall ever reading a fantasy book in a single sitting.  The Islam, heart, Malay culture, and family dynamics have me hoping that maybe there will be a sequel, and that hopefully this debut novel is a first of many from the author. Of course I have minor critiques, the book definitely in the middle had some repetition and pacing hiccups, the rising action and climax could have been stronger, and there are a few noticeable loose threads, but Insyirah is a loveable protagonist that you really hope can sort through her family secrets, save the day, and be at peace with her decisions.  There is a lot of Islam, and it is well woven into the characters’ identities, the plot, and the lens of the book.  If you are Muslim reading it, you will see the fasting on Monday and Thursday, and staying in wudu a little different than non Muslim readers, but no matter who you are, you will enjoy the plot, the adventure and fun ride that will undoubtedly become a beloved favorite.

SYNOPSIS:

Twelve year old Insyirah and her mom are moving back to Malaysia to care for her elderly grandma.  Insyirah is anxious and not thrilled to be leaving Australia.  She hardly has time to miss her old life though as family secrets, discovering she can see and interact with jinn, and learning that an old jinn with a big grudge is after her.  Navigating the seen and unseen words, the rules of her mother opposed to those of her grandmother, and figuring out what she wants will take time to ponder, learn, and reflect upon.  Unfortunately, Syirah doesn’t have that kind of time, as she keeps falling into the unseen world, realizing that a jinn bound to her blood line will soon be under her control, and that pesky jinn haunting her school is trying to get her to leave Malaysia.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I am intrigued by the the way the book holds space for Islam, culture, and fiction, and interweaves the three.  Islam is adhered to, along with the worship, and uncompromising faith in Allah swt, and while the jinn are kept as being real, as understood by Muslims,  their day to day antics cultural and fictional positioning, is richly developed and not put in conflict with deen, seemingly trying to keep everything halal.  I am not a scholar, I would not venture to proclaim that this does or does not cross lines, but the author is very aware of the threads at play, and has a solid awareness of writing craft, so the result is a great story, that feels authentic, without being “shirk-y.”

There are some pop cultural references that might age the book a bit, but I love the shootouts to Hanna Alkaf books.  For me, a Western reader, that really is my only other Malay juvenile literature reference, and the vibes are similar, so it was nice to see the connection.  

FLAGS:

Jinn, loss, death, fear, murder, threats, lies, enslavement, haunting, scaring, secrets, fighting.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

This book is solid middle grade, but I think older kids will enjoy the story and find plenty to relate to, learn about, and be captivated by.  I think this book will be a great addition to home, school, and library shelves, and while my copy is from Australia, I believe a US version will be available in 2025, inshaAllah.

Sep20

All Mixed Up by Raj Tawney

Posted on by
Standard
All Mixed Up by Raj Tawney

all mixed up

The premise of this slightly biographical middle grade book is that of a very multicultural boy, Kamal, finding his voice, with the help of a Pakistani Muslim friend, Jaz, a year after the 9/11 attacks.  It brings in themes of Islamophobia, terrorism, bullying, friendship, alcoholism, immigration, refugees, “legal” and “illegal” citizens, Pakistan and India’s partition, and growing up and feeling alone over 208 pages.  The writing style seems deliberately loose in touching on very complex themes, but not preaching on them, and instead letting the reader draw on their own thoughts and experiences to form their own opinions. It is debatable if enough information is even provider for the reader to ruminate on the themes, or care to, or feel enough of a connection to the characters to want to know how all the dots connect, but none-none-the less it seems to have been done with intent, and with the middle grade POV for some it might get away with key information and the resolution going unexplored.  For me though, honesty I just couldn’t get past one line, one line tossed out with no explanation, no arc, no real purpose, never revisited even, at 16% it says “Allah is stupid.”  Yes, I debated tying the phrase out.  I don’t know why it has this line, it has no real impact on the story and could have easily been replaced for another reason Jaz received a purple nurple from a bully in Pakistan.  Later in the book there is a scene where Jaz has brought a prayer rug to school, he states he doesn’t always pray, but clearly he does practice Islam, not just maintain the label in name only.  I am not saying that the scene is not based on the author’s real life, or that people don’t say stuff of this nature, but it is hard to read in black in white in a book with no discussion.  I don’t know what the author’s intent was in including it, but I think it is a disservice to so many of the themes in the book and does not serve the target audience as a mirror, or a respectable takeaway either. For this one line, I truly don’t feel like I could have this book on my shelf, which is unfortunate.

SYNOPSIS:

Kamal Rao is half Indian, a quarter Puerto Rican, and a quarter Italian living in New York, he is relentlessly bullied at school, has no friends anywhere, and is dealing with a father that drinks a little too much most nights since he lost his job.  When a new boy, Jaz shows up at school, that can pronounce his name, a friend just might be what Kamal needs to find his voice, confidence, and place in the world.  Except Jaz has his own issues, and remains pretty mysterious about his past, his home life, even his name.  When a Halloween terrorist attack occurs, Jaz makes a run for it and Kamal has to decide what his friendship means.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I really can’t decide if I like the writing style or not. I recognize that to stay on a middle grade point of view the banter between Kamala and Jaz is often done when it is just the two of them in a scene, making sense of a world they might not know much about. Unfortunately, that also means a lot of erroneous statements, perspectives, and facts get unchecked, and possibly perpetuated.  It also means that at times the boys seem really worldly and competent: riding across town on their bikes, living pretty independently, but also being really naive about being a brown Muslim kid waving around a gun in public, even if it is pretend.  The inconsistencies often are in relation to Islam, so they particularly stood out to me, for example Kamal knows what a hijab is, but not that Muslim’s pray five times a day.  I think when a book is OWN voice and based on lived experiences, but so much of the plot pivots around someone who is so different from you, some of the details just seem inauthentic.  Admittedly, I was turned off early by that one statement, and I am not the target audience, but it was hard to relate to Jaz because it seemed so forcefully trying to present him in an almost performative way. A place of love no doubt, but overly polished to make the reader accept him and feel a kinship to him as Kamal did.

FLAGS:

Halloween, lying, terrorism, bullying, abuse, alcohol, sneaking

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I cannot encourage this to be on an Islamic school library or classroom shelf. That line even with discussion can’t really be explained, there is no point to it.  I’d like to assume that as a child he was frustrated with life and was lashing out in fear or grief or desperation even, but there is nothing in the text that would support or suggest that, it is just there.  I read an electronic ARC, and I hope that the line has been removed in the final copy.

 

Jul28

Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from around the World by Charlene Smith illustrated by Natalya Tariq

Posted on by
Standard
Game Changers: Stories of Hijabi Athletes from around the World by Charlene Smith illustrated by Natalya Tariq

This 80 page compilation of hijabi athletes from around the world focuses on 13 women that the author interviewed first hand.  Featuring athletes, sports and even countries that might be relatively unfamiliar to the targeted middle grade audience, the book will appeal to both boys and girls, Muslims and non Muslims.  Many included were the first to play with hijab, or the first female to play in their country, but each journey and experience is unique.  Each hijabi athelete and their sport is introduced to the reader over four pages with beautiful artwork, and pulled quotes.  A common issue I have with these types of books is wondering how those featured were chosen, and while this book doesn’t articulate it clearly, at least it sets some parameters in the forward and introduction, that for me at least, allowed me to appreciate the book that much more.  The book ends with four pages of “More Hijabi Athletes” that could have been included, as well as information on perseverance, hijab, modest sportswear, a glossary, resources, index, and acknowledgements.  There are real photographs included at he beginning and end of the book of various featured athlete in action. 

  

I can’t really review this non fiction book in my normal style, so I will simply say that the writing is clear and easy, at times details seemed overly vague, but to keep the continuity of the tone, and the reader engaged, I understand why specifics perhaps were not included.  In the first feature, I wish the infamous photograph would have been shared so the reader could see for themselves what the text was discussing.  Overall, this resource to inspire our Muslim girls is much needed and beautifully done.  I absolutely love the artwork. LOVE IT. The women are beautiful, strong, and the artwork conveys that for each of the 13 athletes.

The athletes featured:

Egyptian beach volleyball player Doaa Elghobashy
UAE hockey player Fatima Al Ali
Basketball player Fitriya Muhamed
Afghani soccer player Hajar Abulfazl
Syrian-American runner Rahaf Khatib
Basketball Player Kiandra Browne
Pakistani weightlifter Kulsoom Abdullah
Parkour Sara Mudallal
Downhill Mountain Bike Racer Sumayyah Green 
Iranian Triathlete Shirin Gerami
Kenyan Archer Shehzana Anwar
Wrestler Latifah McBryde
Skateboarder Nadeen Alhamad


 

Jul16

Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan

Posted on by
Standard
Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan

amir

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.

 

Jul12

Kicked Out by A.M. Dassu

Posted on by
Standard
Kicked Out by A.M. Dassu

81h06Amch6L._AC_UF1000,1000_QL80_

The first few chapters of this 336 page middle grade book were rough. It is a stand-alone companion novel, and I have read the previous works, so I don’t know if my expectation of myself to know the characters being introduced, was additionally muddled because the memories were faint, or as I actually suspect, the writing at the beginning is just weak. Like really weak, but I’m stubborn, and I kept reading, and I was rewarded, alhumdulillah. The book found its voice, its pacing, its heart, its relatability, its layers and I am so glad that I didn’t dnf it. The characters, their community, their tenacity, the exploration of family really stays on level with providing the reader insight and messaging to make them reflect on their own lives, without feeling preached to. The focus of football (soccer) keeps the book light and hopeful, while the difficult themes of deportation, Islamophobia, refugees, theft, absent parents, self doubt, forgiveness and second chances with adults, thread in and out. Many of the characters are Muslim, halal food is normalized as is saying salam, it isn’t focused on Islam but the kids make duas before they start a sting operation and when life changes are presented, also they consider Qadr of Allah when things occur. It feels authentic, and Muslim kids will enjoy that the focus isn’t a religious or cultural identity crisis, but just part of who they are as they take on this next chapter of their lives, non Muslims will feel the same.

SYNOPSIS:
Ali, Mark, and Sami are living it up since Mark’s mom won the lottery and they move in to a mansion with a pool. Sami’s brother Aadam starts doing the lawns to help pay for his lawyer fees to appeal his deportation, and things are looking up, expect for Mark’s mom’s new boyfriend though, he seems to be a bit of a racist. It all comes pouring down when Aadam is accused of stealing money, the boys are no longer allowed at the house, and Mark is prevented from hang out with his friends. Ali and Sami are not about to take this treatment without a fight, they have an idea to raise some money for Aadam with a charity football match, and Mark knows his mom is being influenced by her boyfriend and doesn’t abandon his friends. Ali though, is preoccupied, his absent father shows back up, and his step-brother has just been enrolled in their school. It is a lot but together Ali, Sami, and Mark support each other, stand up for what they believe in, and find ways to make sure they and Aadam are not “kicked out.”

WHY I LIKE IT:
I love the commentary on refugees, that it isn’t a political issue, but a human one. The exploration of found family and born family, and giving family second chances impressed me in a middle grade book. I also liked the kids hyping up the community and getting creative to solve a problem, rather than wait for the adults to step in. Whether it was to raise money for legal fees, or solve a mystery and clear someone’s name, these kids really have each other’s backs while dealing with a lot of heavy stresses. They mess up and make mistakes, but the book spending time to show them come back from them is a level of emotional intelligence and maturity that I think readers will benefit from.

I was thrown at a passage that mentioned that Ali can’t go to the mosque because he doesn’t have his dad around. Which made no sense to me as the kid goes to restaurants, parks, stores, on buses, on his bike alone throughout the book. Alhumdulillah, I have wiser folks I can ask concerns to, and my Lit Sister Zainab explained that in fact in the UK some masjids don’t allow women all the time and kids are not encouraged to come unsupervised, so if that stands out to you as well for being completely off, recognize it doesn’t mean it is wrong, like I did.

Truly the book is terrible at the beginning. The barrage of character names, the unlikability of Ali because of how he treats his brother, and the stress of how winning the lottery has made Mark’s life better, is all over the place. I must have read the first three chapters at least four times, before I just decided to plow through and see if the pieces fell in to place, which alhumdulillah, they did.

FLAGS:
Lying, stereotypes, racism, Islamophobia, accusations, theft, lottery, Mark has a crush on Grace, but it is subtle, anger, jealousy.

SPOILER: Ali’s dad was in love with a lady before he married Ali’s mom. His parent’s had him marry Ali’s mom to tame their “wild son” and at some point in the marriage, the dad had a nikkah with the first lady and eventually left Ali, his mom, and two siblings for his other family. The focus is how Ali feels about having his dad leave their family, being jealous of his step brother, and dealing with his return. It doesn’t make it a religious issue or judge if this was permissible, it really stays focused on the parent children relationship and the emotions involved in the leaving, not staying in touch, and the returning. I think middle grade can handle it.


Jun21

Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur

Posted on by
Standard
Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate by Deeba Zargarpur

img_5607-1

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.

May30

The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices: Hena Khan (Editor), Sayantani DasGupta, Reem Faruqi, Veera Hiranandani, Simran Jeet Singh, Supriya Kelkar, Rajani LaRocca, Maulik Pancholy, Mitali Perkins, Aisha Saeed, N.H. Senzai

Posted on by
Standard
The Door Is Open: Stories of Celebration and Community by 11 Desi Voices: Hena Khan (Editor), Sayantani DasGupta, Reem Faruqi, Veera Hiranandani, Simran Jeet Singh, Supriya Kelkar, Rajani LaRocca, Maulik Pancholy, Mitali Perkins, Aisha Saeed, N.H. Senzai

img_5078-1

I cannot in good conscience at the current time support this book as a whole, as many of the contributing authors have not used their platform to speak up, spread awareness, and draw attention to the genocide occurring in Palestine. As recent South Asian history involves colonization, I find this silence deplorable, disappointing and shameful, we need to do better. That being said, I am reviewing the book none-the-less because a few of the authors have spoken out, some quite a lot, and I hope those that have remained silent, will speak out. Our voices have power, and while it feels like it might be too late to take a stand, it is not. Lives might yet be saved.

img_5079-1

The 328 page middle grade book is a collection of 11 Desi voices, four of which are Muslim (Hena Khan, Reem Faruqi, Aisha Saeed, and N.H. Senzai). All 11 are threaded together by a fictional community center that houses badminton games, ameens, cooking classes, dancing for Navratri, chess tournaments, spelling bees, celebrating an aqiqah, and everything in between. The majority of the stories are joyful with threads of overcoming stereotypes being a frequent mention in a book filled with different cultures, religions, and perspectives. Potential flags and triggers: there is mention in one story of domestic violence, there are a few hetero crushes and one same sex identifying boy who isn’t ready to discuss his attractions, there is ostracizing of a single woman choosing to adopt, and a few mentions of divorce. As with all anthologies some are better written than others, but as a whole the book is pretty consistent in spotlighting something specific to religion or Desi culture, and having a hobby or family conflict push the character to problem solve, find their voice, and then be supported in a happy ending.

My favorite story is N.H. Senzai’s piece, I might be bias seeing as I check her Instagram numerous times a day for Palestine updates, but her story, with the domestic violence mom and daughter surviving and flourishing, is powerful, on level, and memorable. Framed around a mom’s prayers, duaas, she named her daughter Duaa. Duaa is a gamer that tries to make her mom happy by helping with her catering business. When she helps set up for a domestic abuse banquet at the community center she faces what her and her mom overcame by leaving in the middle of the night, and starting over.

I’m not going to review each story, but I will highlight the remaining Muslim authored ones. Aisha Saeed’s story doesn’t have any Islam specific mentions, her story is set during a mehndi at the community center. Her khala is getting married to Brian and moving to Kenya, and she is not happy, throw in cousins who are still mad at her for ruining their furniture with chocolate last year, and Maha just wants to hide in the back and pout.

Reem Faruqi brings her characters together through old fashioned letter writing. Orchestrated by Rahma’s nani, second cousins who will be meeting for the first time at an aqiqah at the community center, start corresponding to get to know one another, and gripe about siblings. When they finally do meet, in matching outfits no less, the girls decide their siblings, like their favorite candy, can be both sweet and sour.

Hena Khan’s story brings everyone together for an ameen six years in the making. Halima has finally finished the Quran and the family is throwing a party. Halima wanted a carnival type party, mom wants a formal affair, but when the community center is on the brink of being closed down, the family decides to invite everyone to show what the center offers the community.