Tag Archives: Muslim Character

Apr17

Doppaland: The World Where They Found Themselves by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri

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Doppaland: The World Where They Found Themselves by Guzelya Marisova illustrated by Agia Putri

This 42 page book follows a tried and true method of kids being swept away by some magical object to a distant land to have an adventure and share with the reader what they learn. In this case it is twins Eldar and Elnur being taken from their apartment in Paris to their parents’ Ugghur homeland when they put on their doppas, Ugghur hats, that in this book have magically come to life in the night. The doppas transport the children to the Silk Road to show them and tell them about the people and traditions in Hotan, the Taklamakan Desert, Kashgar, Ghulja, the Ili River, Turpan, and the Altai Mountains. The characters are Muslim and Islam is present throughout the pages. The literary elements are fairly basic, but as far as I know this is the first and only OWN voice Ugghur picture book, and Alhumdulillah it exists. The book provides an easy way to introduce some of the culture, geography, language, and traditions to early elementary aged children. The illustrations are engaging and equally informative, and I appreciate the glossary in the back. I just wish there was a map and some information about the persecution of the community to further highlight why familiarity and support of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Northwest China is so important.

When culture day approaches the twins ask their parent’s for something from their weten to share, and mom gifts them doppas. The kids make duas that they can one day go to their parents’ homeland and see what it looks like. Awoken by a soft noise in the night, the twins, and their cat, find the doppas glowing, and talking, and ready to take them to Doppaland.

The trio, Mushuk goes too, say Bismillah and are off. They fly over Paris, and discuss how they have been mistaken for Japanese as their Turkic ethnicity is diverse and rich.  In Hotan, an oasis near the desert, they see weavers wearing little doppas called telpik.

When they reach the Taklamakan Desert they hear music from the rawap, dap, and chang.  They see hunters living the sunnahs of horse back riding and staying strong to “defend their land if needed.”

In “Kashgar, the centre of knowledge,” they spend time at the library and marvel at all the languages the Ugghurs speak.

Their adventures continue as they learn how in Ghulja they greet with salaam by placing their hand on their heart, and enjoy the fruit in Turpan and the families picking grapes together.

After seeing a snow leopard in the Altai Mountains, they return home wondering if it was all a dream, but eager to share their knowledge with their classmates on Culture Day.

Apr15

Landing in Place by Sherine Hamdy illustrated by Myra El Mir

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Landing in Place by Sherine Hamdy illustrated by Myra El Mir

I think first and foremost I want to stress that this is a mature YA read. The majority of the book takes place after the protagonist has graduated high school, it involves a toxic mother who smokes, politics, romantic relationships, generational trauma, death, commentary on Islamic practices, relationships with opposite genders including when they are LGBTQ+, lying, and some profanity.  YA is classified as 12 and up, which given the graphic novel format, and the plot of her coming of age, I entered the book viewing it from an Islamic school librarian lens of handing or shelving the book for middle school and up, and thus it is not appropriate in my opinion. If you read it from a more adult lens, please share your impressions, as the book has a TON of Islam, and I would love to discuss.  It has Quranic ayats, it has Hadith, it has a girl fighting her family to wear hijab, it has incredible points, unfortunately  I just couldn’t quite support how the points were connected. If the book were a memoir, or I met someone and this was their lived experience, I wouldn’t find it concerning, it would be one person’s journey and them simply doing the best they can, Allahualam.  BUT, somehow the tone seems to extend beyond just Anisa living her life and growing as a result, and reads more of the author opining that this is how Islam is or this is how Muslims should or should do things, or view things, or not feel constrained by things, and by its end I just couldn’t support the character’s choices and the justifying framing, perhaps because it is fiction.

SYNOPSIS:

Because I want to spend more time on the Islam and why I struggled with how it was connected, I’m simply going to copy and paste the publisher provided summary of the book:

A poignant coming-of-age graphic novel about an Egyptian American girl grappling with college, her family, and the political realities of her wider world.

Anisa is following in her sister Reem’s footsteps: She’s a freshman at her sister’s alma mater, she’s on the same premed track, and she’s inherited Reem’s old hotpot, mini-fridge, and textbooks. Even though Anisa would prefer to study art, her parents discount that as a valid career choice. The path laid out before her starts to crumble as Anisa feels she doesn’t belong—either in her organic chemistry class or among the other Muslim students on campus.

When Anisa fails her first semester, she begs her parents to let her take time off to visit Cairo and stay with her beloved grandfather. Finally free to have her own experiences, Anisa begins a journey of self-discovery and, as she bumps up against familial, societal, and religious expectations, she starts to develop her own artistic voice. When Anisa returns to the United States, many of these expectations shift, but she learns to draw on the love of friends and family—including those she’s often at odds with—in order to stay true to herself.

 

WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that the book feels very real, that the character arc and growth, challenges and setbacks, struggles and character’s voice, radiate authenticity and seeks to shed light on what not only shapes us and our view of the world, but understanding the politics, culture, religious, and lived experiences of what our parents also have been shaped by in a manner that is neither overly naive or harsh.

I appreciated the political commentary, the internal reflections of faith and her closeness with her grandfather in Egypt which often centers Islam. And as a work of fiction I understand in the broad sense that the book does not want to get didactic in its sharing of the deen, but it seems to want to have it both ways.  It shares the Quranic Arabic in the pages with meaning of the translation in the backmatter, quotes uncited hadith and references Islamic customs, yet I feel by staying gray in how the character interpreted Islamic teachings and failing to commit to her showing her own rationale for the choices and understanding driving those choices, the book leaves holes in the plot and a lot of questions.  For example, why is kissing her Sikh boyfriend considered a “mistake,” only because she wears hijab? She commits to him by getting her mom and Muslim friends on board with their relationship with the book sharing that different opinions are good according to Prophet Muhammad (saw).  She starts to wear hijab and says she is doing it for the right reasons, but those reasons are never shared.  She develops a relationship with Allah swt which is beautiful, but what is the messaging for the reader, with her justifying her actions in light of that relationship?

Yes, I realize that that makes me the very hypocrite the characters push back against in the book: not being able to be human and error, and struggle, and inshaAllah come back to Allah, swt, I know that, but I also know that our  youth are impressionable and we want to inspire them, not give them a “pass” through a fictional story to do haram because Allah swt is forgiving.  I also know that a 13 year old reading this and a 19 year old reading this will view it very differently  (see opening paragraph why my mindset going in was a disservice that I struggled to overcome, and why I mentioned that this is a mature read).  I also know that life, real life, is never linear and clear, and yeah people fall in love with people that are not Muslim, I’m the daughter of a convert, and my parents met in college, I get the hypocrisy, I own it, I really do.

I can’t reiterate enough how many of the points I loved about her finding herself, understanding and connecting to her deen and extended family, laughing in the relatability the book has in its commentary on Islamophobia, expectations, politics, but none-the-less, I ultimately cannot support the normalized conclusions and justifications of many of the threads.

FLAGS:
See opening paragraph

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
Not appropriate for Islamic school book clubs, I can see perhaps college or University MSAs reading it for fun and then offering up their thoughts as being an incredible pulse on how our “New Adult” Muslims view the themes and topics the book tackles, but I take handing a book to a person as an amanah, and I don’t think I could hand this to a middle or high school student.

Feb15

Too Soon for the Moon by Ayshah Ismail illustrated by Rizkia Gita

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Yep, another story about the moon, at least this one attempts humor and doesn’t completely neglect religion. So as I write this, I’m reminding myself that most folks don’t read as many Ramadan and Eid books as I do, and thus won’t be comparing or rolling their eyes at the familiar plot points. The book is for the younger crowd, as its premise is that it is too soon in the day to see if the moon is shining to indicate that Ramadan is over and Eid is here.  The little boy also doesn’t know what the crescent moon looks like, so Mama tells him it is like a smile and draws a curved line in the flour as she bakes.  With that, Khalid is off looking for the moon, and being told that it is too soon to see it whenever he mistakes something else for the moon, clearly not knowing what they mean by “too soon.”  I do like that Khalid and his Baba go to the mosque to pray, but I’m again wondering why everyone at the mosque praying maghrib does not look for the moon as a community.  There was a similar book I reviewed with the same exact premise and this same exact oversight, it also really stretched out the time window available to see the moon, which has me wondering if it is not the same for us all? I do like that the book comes full circle and he does find the moon in a funny place, spoiler, reflecting on the ground in a puddle.  I also like that there is a scannable QR Code for a free audiobook version and that it gets creative with not depicting faces.

The book starts with Khalid helping Mama bake baklava in the kitchen asking about the Eid moon.  Concluding that the sooner it is found, the sooner they can enjoy the treats and gifts, he is determined to find it.  The holiday lights outside obscure his view with Baba, so he heads up to his sister’s room for a better vantage point, but the cat’s collar reflecting is all he sees out the window, the glint of his aunt’s bowl back down in the kitchen also doesn’t help him find the moon, and they all keep telling him that it is “too soon.”

Baba and Khalid head to the mosque to pray, it is still too soon to see the moon, and when they are done, it is raining.  A sad Khalid sits dejected, but when the clouds part and the moon’s reflection hits the puddle, the joy of seeing the Eid moon finds the protagonist, and all is well.

The large 10 x 10 size makes the book suitable for bedtime or story time, and while it might have been better as a board book with a premise of a child not knowing what the moon looks like and where to find it. I found it more troubling that the rest of the family and masjid community didn’t take looking for the moon more serious.

Jan30

Ramadan for Everyone: A Muslim Community Story by Aya Khalil illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

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Ramadan for Everyone: A Muslim Community Story by Aya Khalil illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh

This adorable 40 page book will be a great read to classrooms to see Ramadan in action from a little girl trying her best to fast and pray without internalized Islamophobia or info dumps cluttering a flimsy plot. The bright illustrations bring the story to life and will captivate preschool to early elementary readers and listeners.  The story shows the religion and leans into the concept of Taqwa as a reason for fasting, something to strive for, and prompting the little girl to give to her community.  There is a robust backmatter with sources, a glossary, two crafts, and information about Ramadan, taqwa, moon and stars, and being mindful.  It should be my favorite Ramadan book ever, with when we start fasting correct, adding a twist to the trope of a first fast, and centering Islam- unfortunately, the story tries to do a lot, too much in fact, resulting in the book missing the emotional element that makes Ramadan stories memorable and beloved.  I think the author’s style is also something subjective that I just don’t vibe with, so while I will provide rationale for my opinions as I continue my review, I am aware that fans of her previous books, will absolutely fight me on my thoughts, which I welcome. Even with my critiques, I’m glad I preordered the book and have spent time reading and sharing it.

The book starts with Habeeba’s kitchen busing with activity in the dark morning.  The first day of Ramadan has Baba and his two daughters eating and planning a month of fasting every day and praying taraweeh every night. Big sister Sumaya encourages Habeeba to come to the library at lunch time.  Once at school the teacher reads a Ramadan story, in the library, the librarian encourages Habeeba with stickers, and the two sisters look at books together.

Once back home though, chef Baba’s kunafa tempts Habeeba. Baba reminds her that fasting is to gain taqwa, “because we want to get closer to Allah.”  Habeeba starts to wonder what else she can do to gain taqwa, but the thought seems lost as she makes a special prayer, and breaks her fast early.

Later at the masjid, the little boy in front of Habeeba makes focusing on duaa hard, and when she is in sujood, she finds herself drifting off to sleep. Day after day she struggles with the temptations of delicious treats, and slipping off to sleep in the comforts of the masjid at night.

The last week of Ramadan, Habeeba breaks down to Sumaya who tells her she is doing great, and that remembering Allah “also means being mindful of their community.” Together they plan to participate in a service project to help the community and give back.  Before the end of the month, Habeeba fasts a whole day and with her family’s encouragement, hopeful that in time she will fast everyday and stay awake in prayer.

The first page did not set the tone as a polished read, I am terrible at grammar, but “like watermelon, pomegranates, and homemade muffins.” What foods are like watermelon and pomegranates, those are the foods on the table, so maybe “such as” or drop the comparison word all together and just say what is on the table and what we are seeing in the illustration. Throughout it felt like sentences were choppy, and when read aloud commas were missing. The diction also seemed off to me in describing taqwa, not wrong, just stilted and not relatable to the demographic as it is stated, but not really shown. Do six year olds understand mindfulness? It goes from fasting is to gain taqwa, because we want to get closer to Allah, to it being hard to concentrate and practice mindfulness, to “Remembering Allah during Ramadan also means being mindful to their community.”  The backmatter says “Taqwa is achieved by being mindful of Allah and remembering to do one’s best every day- especially during Ramadan.”  I feel like words and phrases are being used interchangeably and not in a way that connects dots of understanding for the reader.  A bit more on level articulation is needed.  And I know I don’t like exposition, but it needs smoothing out and clarity. A few signposts to tie back to the theme, with word choice that kids will understand.  They don’t need to be hit over the head that fasting and praying and charity is worship, but they should grasp that little Habeeba is pushing herself to keep trying day after day to gain taqwa.  Perhaps if Baba at the end would have been proud of her efforts to keep trying instead of saying, “I am most proud of you for sharing Ramadan with everyone.” The point of Ramadan and taqwa would have come through.  I realize it needed that line to make the title make sense, but honestly that is not what the book is about.  Only four pages address the community.  I have no idea why the first day Habeeba wonders about other ways to get closer to Allah swt, sidenote there is no attribution in the story or backmatter, and it is abandoned until the end of the book and the last week of the month.  It very easily could have been threaded in and would have fleshed out the title and the different aspects of Ramadan, growing closer to Allah, and finding ways to help the community.

I did love the school community, from the teacher to the librarian, it is delightful to see support from the larger community in our lives, and models how simple and easy it can be to create a safe and encouraging environment.  The relatability of the characters being so excited and ambitious the first day, going back to sleep after fajr, finding distraction annoying, and getting so tired during salat was also relatable.  To be seen in such familiar acts will bring smiles to readers and reassurance that we are all so very similar in so many ways.

I felt the star and moon motifs were overdone for no effect, what even are “moon and star charms?’ It seemed tropey and superficial, same with the goody bag and the beginning being a sign of babies and then lovingly embraced at the end.  If meant to show the sisters relationship coming full circle it missed the mark for me, as truthfully I didn’t find the sisters relationship to be a proper characterization of the story at all. Habeeba compares herself to Sumaya, wanting to be as good as her, but Sumaya is rather kind and just used as a foil. She spends time at the library with her, encourages her and helps her. It is not a sibling relationship focused story, and adding a crumb here and there, just seemed like the book didn’t know where it wanted to go.

Had the book not been checked by a named Shaykh who consulted on the story, I’d be a little more worried  about the messaging that we fast for taqwa and not that we fast because Allah swt commands it, and that when we do fast we foster that closeness to Allah.  I also found it odd that the backmatter says Ramadan is “set during the ninth month.” Ramadan is the ninth month.

The first reading or two will be joyful and fun, I have no doubt, few will read it as often as I did. I also doubt anyone will take the time to be this critical. But I do hope at the very least, if you have a little one trying to fast, you will not have tempting treats and desserts out every afternoon after school.  And that you did notice the one day she wasn’t home, Habeeba was able to complete her first fast.

Jan17

Together on Eid by Sana Rafi illustrated by Mariam Quraishi

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Together on Eid by Sana Rafi illustrated by Mariam Quraishi

I know it has become increasingly commonplace to have Eid and Ramadan books completely devoid of religion, but I will continually point it out, as it breaks my heart to see books about our beloved religious holidays lacking any spirituality, religious framing, or Islamic references. This book would work for either Eid al Fitr or Eid al Adha as it focuses, as the title suggests, being together on Eid and all the food, clothes, and feels that being together entails. The book is organized with headings: “Eid is a gathering,” and “Eid is a party we dress up for,” and “Eid is a home.”  There are six in all, that are then fleshed out with supporting details and examples that reinforce the topic sentence so to speak.  Food is detailed, clothes are highlighted, togetherness is celebrated and, memories are shared, and made on this day, that is ultimately “a gift.” The setting is a Pakistani home with cultural identifies sprinkled in, but still very vague in any specific traditions outside of a few instances of vocabulary.  The illustrations define the clothes and foods mentioned and while I don’t love the flowing illustrations, there is nothing wrong them, they just are not my style.  The book could work for a non Muslim gathering, but I would hope that if you are sharing a story and introducing a group to Eid, that one would pick a story that will at least articulate that Eid is an Islamic holiday.

The book shows a family: mom and dad, a little girl and little boy and paternal grandma. It starts with warm hugs, and getting dressed up for the holiday, then when the feast portion starts, extended family joins the pages. Dadi Amma is then joined by all of her grown sons, who she recalls being little just a short wile ago.  The focus of the book becomes a little preachy at this point, as it turns to the grandma reminding the little boy never to forget the day as she hands him his Eidi.  Throughout the dad is taking pictures of the family, and the book ends with the little boy asleep cradling a picture.

I don’t hate the premise of the book.  It is nice to see that it isn’t all presents and big Eid extravagances that mark the day as memorable, but rather it is the family and being together.  Even the feast is not over bearing on the day, as they don’t spend the whole day in the kitchen. The roti comes from a store, not hand-made and the Eidi is enveloped in love, not accompanied with a wish list of what the money will be spent on.  I just wish there was some Islam.  Something to give little Muslim kids a traditionally published book that didn’t erase the very point of the holiday.  And yes I know some people will like that it is completely secular, but I am reviewing as an Islamic School Librarian, and find it either a missed opportunity by the author, or token rep by the publisher.

Perhaps also worth mentioning is, the book info online states the book is 32 pages, but it is only 20 pages of story, which isn’t me being picky, I point it out because it reads and feels short.  The backmatter is only the author’s and illustrator’s notes, which begs the question, why not add informational pages about Eid, the vocabulary, the faith, or even more of what makes the holiday so memorable and picture worthy?  I don’t know that this book really makes the case that Eid is a memorable holiday, seems like most any weekend in a big family home, which is unfortunate.

Jan14

A Golden Eid by Hiba Noor Khan illustrated by Singgih Jadmiko

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A Golden Eid by Hiba Noor Khan illustrated by Singgih Jadmiko

This 32 page picture book about Eid al Fitr, starts as many do with the last night of Ramadan carrying into the day of celebration itself.  The book is plot based with a soft moral message to be generous with others. It refrains from info dumping, but does show reading Quran, making duas, and going to the mosque.  I think if you are looking for a new book to read to a non Muslim class or group, the book is sufficient in opening a window and showing a relatable family celebrating Eid with hints of culture, religion, and community, but unfortunately there are predictable tropes and since I read a lot of Eid books, it ultimately doesn’t make the book stand out for me.  The focus is on food, and how the family comes together to make the beloved halwa, and then when food is taken to the neighbors, the protagonist, Hafsa, shares her beloved treat by choice, yet is sad none-the-less that there in no longer any for her.  That is until everyone shows up to return the favor and make Eid better than she could have imagined. The book features a two page spread of a recipe for halwa at the end, as well as directions to make your own Eid bunting. The illustrations are sweet and will engage readers with the book’s 11 x 10 inch size in read alouds or at bedtime.

The book starts with Hafsa peering through her telescope looking for the Eid moon.  Once spotted, cousins are called, Quran is finished, duas are made, and the feast preparations begin.  It is a lot of work,  and when they are done, Abu starts packing everything up.

Shocked, Hafsa is reassured that some halwa will be kept to be enjoyed on Eid, and then Abu and her are off to share with friends and neighbors. When they get to Mrs. Adams’ house, Hafsa notices the cupcakes have run out, and runs home to get the halwa to give to their neighbor.

Later the family heads to the park, and a sad Hafsa is reminded that, “During Ramadan, God teaches us to be bighearted and to think of those in need.” Even the next morning though, as se puts on her fancy clothes and heads to the mosque she is feeling sad about her dessert.

Back at home as friends and family start pouring in, they come with full arms and big hearts, and Hafsa ends up with six different types of halwa to delight in.

I like that mom and dad are both involved in the food preparation and that religion is not completely sidelined.  I feel like their is a bit of a disconnect with what Mrs. Adams’ need is and was surprised little Hafsa could run back home and then come again independently.  I did appreciate that at the start when looking through the telescope the sky was not dark as the Eid moon shows for a short time, but was surprised later when hours after dark they are playing in the park under the crescent moon. That spread at the park, to me honestly didn’t seem needed, I know it was to share the moral messaging, but I felt it just indulged the food aspect of a very religious and sacred holiday, and made Hafsa seem uncharacteristically whiney about not getting a dessert, when up until that point she had shown some independence and maturity. It is one thing to be sad, but belaboring it, shifted the focus of what could have been a standout book.

Nov4

Balti Kings by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan

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Balti Kings by Sudha Bhuchar and Shaheen Khan

I don’t recall ever reviewing the script of a proper adult play before, and probably last read a play in college, needless to say it has been a while, and this 112 page script of a play performed 25 years ago, has me itching to dive back in to regularly attending live theater. Literary wise I love seeing the characters and plot develop with dialogue alone, and the power that every word on the page has. The play takes place in one day, in a Pakistani restaurant in Birmingham, England, and the stresses of an event happening that night is the catalyst that brings together the characters own lives, the chaos of the kitchen, the stresses of the times, and an inside view on immigrant life.

Set on Jummah, everyone seems to be religious when bosses come looking for their employees, but duas, and boundaries, and justifications also stem from Islamic practices. The owners of Balti Kings are trying to compete with Karachi Karahi in the neighborhood, their father has had a heart attack and the brothers are trying to relaunch the business with a Bollywood star studded Curryoke night and the start of their cheaper buffet. The attitudes and social hierarchy of immigrants is highlighted with the contrasting kitchen crew downstairs. A mix of ages and genders and skills, legal and soon to be illegal desi workers along with a Bosnian brother sister team, show racism and stereotypes in action.

Their personal lives spill in to the kitchen as the young Mariam finds herself expecting and coworker Nadeem denying it is his, while she is left warding off advances from her boss. The head cook is again threatening to leave for Karachi Karahi, the biriyani is burned, the stars are imposters, and the brothers have to accept the outcome of their choices.

I found myself smiling, getting irritated at characters, and appreciating the found family that the restaurant provides. I love the Foreword and Authors’ note that set the place in a time not that long ago, and show how perhaps very little has changed. The end features pictures of the play performances, as well as a glossary.

Oct31

A Tariq Twins Mystery: Murder for Two by Niyla Farook

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A Tariq Twins Mystery: Murder for Two by Niyla Farook

I don’t know what I was expecting, but woah once the actual crimes started piling up and the sleuthing began, I was invested in Riri and Ani working out their differences, solving the case, and freeing their accused dad.  At 336 pages, a full on murder, attempted murder, arson, thieving, and arrests all taking place, the book is definitely for older middle grade readers. The premise and dual points of view of 11 year old twins being reunited after 3 years apart by their divorced parents, getting to know how their OCD, ADHD, and autism factor in to their personalities, learning about TUSC, the town of Castlewick, and the side characters that will turn suspects, result in it taking the story a while to get going.  But if you can get through it, and can suspend belief, the book is a fun mystery that takes on heavy topics, and crime, but somehow keeps it light and consumable by the intended audience. The twins are Muslim, one wears hijab, and there are Islamic references, but once the identity is established, it really doesn’t play a role, or shape the characters’ view of the world or approach to dealing with their grief, anxiety, and obstacles they face.  There is mention of halal marshmallows and hijab, but they never say a quick dua or pray, and by the end is not really even shown to be a big part of their daily lives.  I have no idea if the neurodivergent rep is accurate, but the tone and approach is very positive and normalizing.  Parents may want to know that the book starts on the last day of school and the teacher is non binary, referred to as Mx Henderson with they/them/theirs pronouns. The character is mentioned a lot in the first nine pages, and then never again.  Pronouns for other characters are listed on their profile cards.  There is teasing of a girl having a crush on a boy, a few couples dating, a character being born out of wedlock, and a male character being in a relationship with someone named Toby that is mentioned a few times, but only on the final mention in the last few pages of the book, does it clarify that it is a boyfriend.  The book seems to be intentionally diverse in ethnicities, religions, identity, and orientation, but the story is a murder mystery, and a family reconnecting, and the mentions in passing are not detailed, or overly explored.  I mention all this for adults to determine what is best for their children.

SYNOPSIS:

Supersleuth Imani Tariq aka Ani lives in Castlewick with her father, Abderrazzak and spends time at Cafe Vivlio with Mrs. Kostas.  The small town is Ani’s stomping grounds for sleuthing and carrying out the cases her TUSC (Tariq Ultrasecret Supersleuth Centre) organization takes on.  She knows everyone, and everyone knows her, and she is not looking forward to spending the summer with her “evil twin” visiting from California.  Riri short for Noori, lives with her mom and is heading to the UK so her mom can set up a new office for her company, and the twins can reconnect after being apart for three years.  There is a lot of animosity in the former family of four, but the girls slowly start to rely on each other when they find Mrs. Kostas’ dead body in the secret garden, alibis not checking out, relationships coming to light and their dad being arrested for the murder.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I naively thought it would be a murder of a distant side character that the girls tried to solve, or maybe a trick and it looked like a murder, but ended up not being one, so I was really kind of shocked that in fact a murder occurred, that the girls found the body, and that the story of lies, deceit, art theft, secret identities, relationships, and webs of coincidences and manipulation was just getting started. The girls’ voices are distinct, but as they pop around doing what they do, the reader is often just expected to go along with it an not over analyze. I kind of liked that the ending spelled it all out, like a good villain in cartoons the culprit gets their moment to detail and confess what they did, how they did it and why.  In full disclosure though, with about 30 pages left in the book, I was genuinely still curious who the guilty person would be.

The book balances very real mirroring threads with absolutely bonkers ones.  The girls get counseling for grief, talk about their OCD and ADHD.  They also run circles around the police, unravel the plot through research, interviews, crime scene analysis and get the murderer to confess to only them.

The Islamic rep at the start really got me excited, but it stopped rather abruptly and there was no longer even any Assalamualaikums or walakumsalams after about the first 40 pages or so. The characters are of Pakistani decent, but I have never heard “hudafiz” as a farewell before, Allah hafiz and KhudaHafiz, yes, but never with an H.  It appears a few times in the book, and even the internet, for whatever it is worth, says it is probably a mistake.

FLAGS: (Things parents might want to know the book contains):

Murder, attempted murder, assault, framing, deceit, lying, arson, teasing, close boy/girl friendships (Muslim characters), hetero and lgbtq+ relationships, romantic interests, child out of wedlock, jealousy, revenge, name calling, parents are divorced, therapy/counseling, ADHD, anxiety, grief, abandonment, loss, OCD, autism, unemployment.

Sep18

Odd Girl Out by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid

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Odd Girl Out by Tasneem Abdur-Rashid

At 368 pages this identity centered mature YA book really hooked me and had me invested, which is impressive because Islamophobia stereotypes and being the new kid in a new place tropes are pretty frequently done, and often after a while, feel repetitive.  For me the charm of this book is actually not Maaryah and her peers/friends/bullies storylines, but the protagonist’s relationship with her parents and what caused her mom and dad to divorce.  Obviously as a mom of teens, I’m not in the target audience, but I feel like I benefited from the Muslim authored, Islam centered book, and think older teens, perhaps 17 and up, will also find the book enjoyable and reflective of views they have, challenges they face, and boundaries they have to establish.  I don’t want to spoil it, but SPOILER, had my dear friends that have read the book clued me in that the book will toe and slightly cross the haram lines, but ultimately show Maaryah deciding to re-establish her boundaries after being tempted not to, i.e. making a poor choice to attend a party with boys and alcohol present, and dressed in a way not typical to her hijabi style, I wouldn’t have read the last hundred and twenty pages or so with my jaw clenched in fear. The book shows a lot of Islam in practice, salat, duas, discussions about hijab, but not everyone will agree with decisions Maaryah makes or the rationale behind them as they vacillate between culture, religion, and family expectations.  I love that Maaryah is fallible and never abandons her faith, and that who we are is more than a singular mistake or instance of poor judgement. The book is not preachy, most will just take it as a girl finding her place in her new family dynamic in a new country, who happens to Muslim.  I think, an assumption really, based on what the author has said about her previous adult books, something along the lines that they are not meant to be Islamic fiction, but are stories with Muslim characters, and I think this book should probably be viewed the same.  There is swearing, hand holding, a side hug, normalized boy girl friendships, lying, running away, deceit, cheating, alcohol, mention of hookups, dating, vaping, music, flirting, hijab questioning, bullying, physical assault.  My biggest concern about the book is that it brings up Palestine, but doesn’t discuss Palestine. A side character is a non practicing Jew that visits Tel Aviv and Maaryah wants to discuss the occupation with her, but hesitates and the moment passes.  It is never revisited which I really wish it would have.  It could have modeled a bit how to have those conversations, I know it isn’t that type of book, but Maaryah mentions repurposing kaffiyehs in her designs and so it hints that it matters to her, but never pulls on that thread.  At one point it also mentions another character posted something pro Isr@*l during the genocide, which I can only assume the author thought that by the time of publication would have ended.  SubhanAllah ya Raab.

SYNOPSIS:
The tag line on the cover “From Dubai Girl to London Nobody…” very succinctly summarizes the plot.  Maaryah had an idyllic life in Dubai with her parents and close friends, spending her holidays with her mom’s family in London, and securing an internship with a famous designer.  All is going well until her parents get divorced, her mom moves her to the UK, not near her extended family, and the lack of Muslims, let alone hijabis, at her high school has her bullied with no friends to have her back.  With her mom in survival mode, their once close relationship is non-existent, and the 15 year old is left to sort through it all on her own.

WHY I LIKE IT:

There is a little pulling of punches so to speak of asserting that the boundaries are Islamic, but for the most part I think Muslim readers will see that Maaryah does view a lot of what she experiences through an Islamic lens which I appreciate. I also like that the protagonist’s connection to salat and faith is hers, it isn’t forced on her and I think for this demographic that is good micro messaging and framing.

I was very grateful that the book answered the questions about Maaryah’s family dynamic, so often parental problems are pushed to the void and let to be resolved or understood off the page. And while in the first half it was teased a little as we aren’t having that conversation right now, I did ultimately by the end feel like it was sufficiently resolved.  I also felt the mom was blaringly absent at weird times and I get that it was a plot device to get her out of the way, but if you are dragging at the 100 page mark, I do encourage you to keep reading, it does pick up.

This book isn’t meant to be didactic, and I recognize I’m putting that on it a bit, but I do think the Gaza framing missed an opportunity to show readers how to navigate that very real scenario through the power of fictional characters.

FLAGS:

Copied from above: There is swearing, hand holding, a side hug, normalized boy girl friendships, lying, running away, deceit, cheating, alcohol, mention of hookups, dating, vaping, music, flirting, hijab questioning, bullying, physical assault.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I would shelve this in an upper high school classroom, I think that decision to be at the party is clearly shown to be a mistake, to put herself in that situation is something she regrets, and I think showing that she comes out from it offers a lot to be discussed.

Sep2

My Perfect Family by Khadijah VanBrakle

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My Perfect Family by Khadijah VanBrakle

Oh Dear. The very premise alone of this book requires the author to expertly thread the needle of numerous pitfalls, which in my opinion did not occur.  A girl, Leena, learns about family members at age 16, who are Muslim, and the practice of Islam being the “reason” her mother ran away from her family when she herself was 16, means that for Muslim readers the representation needs to be clear that the family’s interpretation is to blame and not the religion itself.  It also means that as Leena learns the reader learns, and non Muslims (or honestly even Muslims) are not going to want a heavy handed preachy 256 page YA book. The Islam “taught” to Leena has to align with the readers interpretation or show why the characters believe as they do, and the conclusion regarding religion and identity needs to make sense for the character aside from what reader wants to have happen.  Unfortunately the copy I read contained numerous errors, repetitive paragraphs, a weak resolution, dropped plot threads, and had me cringing at how harsh Islam was being presented through the great aunt character, that honestly if Islam was just presented as no dating and dressing modestly, or else you will get married off, I can see why one would run away.  The book contains a lot of cursing, and features dating, having a child out of wedlock, death, and gambling by non Muslim characters.

SYNOPSIS:
Leena has always wanted a big family, but her and her single mom, Asiyah tackle life together.  Leena and her best friend Deidre are employed by Asiyah’s in home daycare and are as close as sisters, but she wants more.  When Asiyah finds out her father has had a heart attack, Leena learns she has a grandfather and great aunt that live an hour away, in Santa Fe.  From the moment Leena sets foot in the hospital, under the gaze of her Aunt Samira, the judgmental overtones begin regarding clothing, education, food choices, and dating.  As a result Asiyah is reassured that she made the right decision all those years ago to leave Islam and her family.  Leena however, has had her entire world changed, and is willing to endure the abrasive Samira to get to know her grandfather Tariq.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that family drama and secrets were teased, even if I didn’t think that they were presented and resolved well. I wish they took more of the focus and that Islam being a reason for the animosity was downplayed.  I think religion could and should have been one of many factors, having it be the ONLY factor put a lot of pressure on the presentation, which fell short.  It also means that the resolution needed to resolve the Islam hanging in the air, SPOILER,  it didn’t.  The conclusion has Asiyah realizing her father never stopped loving her, but how did that resolve the relationship with her and Samira? And suddenly Samira just backed off her singular Islamic identity? A bit of whiplash with it all happening off the page, left me unsatisfied.  Speaking of pages, the book spends a lot of page space having characters drive the one hour one way to have conversations that are less than 15 minutes and could have been done over the phone or even texted.  Nothing exciting or revealing comes from these drives, they just make the story drag. Tariq should have ridden along, so we could see why he was “such a great man,” see why Leena kept enduring the harshness of her Aunt to get to know him, and have the family she always dreamed of.

Islam is presented through the harshest of harsh characters, a few side characters are brought in that make Islam more realistic in practice and fleshed out, but it really feels like it is too little too late.  I think a non Muslim would feel Islam is just modest dress, no interacting with boys, marrying early, and rigid rules.  Leena is harassed from the first moment she meets her family, no easing in to it, she is even handed brochures on her first visit to her grandfather’s home.  Yet, Leena never shows any interest in learning about Islam, she could Google it if she was curious, even when at the masjid, she doesn’t go and watch them pray, no connection to Allah is ever discussed, it is just dos and do nots.  Consistently throughout it feels like Islam is weaponized and perhaps that is the author’s experience or intent, but it is odd coming from a Muslim writer in a fictional setting.  We get enough of that stereotyping from the non Muslim real world.

The emphasis on Islam being the only thing that matters for these characters means that whether they are religious or not, the characters are painted very one dimensional. Leena is a terrible friend, she counts on Deidre to drive her around, she never follows up on asking about her dates or reciprocating the effort for her other than feeding her.  Asiyah has an ex-boyfriend show up, and then goes out with a friend, but there is no context for their abrupt arrivals and then departures from the story, they do not serve as a foil to reveal any pertinent information or connection. A plot device used quite often in the book, and one I am not a fan of, is when things can be solved by characters simply having a conversation.  It is never the right time, they will talk later, even the fruition that started the family fracturing could have been eased by, you guessed it, the characters talking, not even agreeing, just talking.  While I’m running through my top gripes, might I add, that I have spent a few too many minutes on the cover as well.  Presumably Leena is in the middle, her young single mom Asiyah on the right, but who is the young hijabi? Her aunt does not read young at all, and she would not have her neck showing, that would go against her core characterization. So before you come at me that I have no right to my opinions and that I’m too mean, please solve the mystery of who is on the cover, thank you.

I read an ARC so I am aware that changes could have occurred, I’ve requested the book from my library and it is on order, and I will come back and correct this paragraph if needed.  The story of tae kwon do is repeated in two different spots almost word for word as if the information that Asiyah was good at tae kwon do both times is news to Leena.  Clearly it is in error.  It also has Deidre’s grandmother getting their house with the insurance money from Deidre’s parents dying and then a few lines later saying how the grandma doesn’t let Diedre forget that the spare room was changed to a bedroom for Diedre when she moved in.  A friend, Rheem, is brought in guide Leena academically, and is described as being homeschooled and changing to an online program for her senior year to also take dual enrollment classes, a few chapters later they are going to her Islamic High School for a party.  Side note, the sign on the high school says, “ALHIDAAYAH ISLAMIC SCHOOL: Grades sixth through twelfth.  We want our children learning it’s okay to be both American and Muslim.” The last page of the book also has a “Sharifa” in the back seat, and there is no Sharifa previously mentioned in the book.

FLAGS:
Cursing, judgement, dating, running away from home, anger, death, loss, lying, flirting, gambling, child out of wedlock, cutting family ties, clothing shaming, music, othering.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
I wouldn’t shelve or use this book for a book club read.  I think Muslim kids would be annoyed by the way Islam is presented.  I think they would be ok that Leena SPOILER didn’t take an interest in Islam, but I think they would be bothered by the flat, angry portrayal that it has in the book.