Tag Archives: Muslim Character

Nov14

Different Together by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Rizkia Gita

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Different Together by Ayesha N. Rahmaan illustrated by Rizkia Gita

This 32 page large 10 x 10 hardback book explores how we are all different and unique, while also being the same too.  The illustrations and text present a nice way for children to learn that Allah swt created us all to be different in our appearances, what foods we like, how we dress, how we speak, but come together to all say Assalamu alaykum and stand foot-to-foot to pray.  Some of the refrains are a bit abrupt, and it really focuses a lot on physical descriptions and food, the target audience though of preschool to early elementary, will see themselves in the book, probably even a character that looks like them, and expand their understanding of al-Khaliq creating them all.

 

The book starts with an ayat from Surah al-Hujurat and then starts by asking the audience to imagine a world were everyone is the same.  It highlights that Allah created each of us starting with prophet Adam (as) to be just as we are, with different traits. From there, neighbors are introduced: their names, country of origin and favorite foods that all come together to make a table of sharing.

In school the students look different and play different, in the city the different building types are shown to come together, and in the masjid our hearts are in sync when we pray. The text concludes asking the reader to highlight five ways they are unique and a hadith in Arabic along with its English translation.

Oct13

The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community by Ibtikhaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali illustrated by Hatem Aly

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The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community by Ibtikhaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali illustrated by Hatem Aly

The third and final book in the standalone series is finally out and I absolutely love that Islam, salat, and the masjid are front and center. Faizah is once again brought to life through the incredible illustrations that provide all the emotional beats and make the book memorable.  The story though is only just ok, to be honest, it is clunky and disjointed.  I have read the book a half a dozen times to myself and twice aloud and I do not understand the Eid story line.  I doesn’t fit the themes of fitting in, being a leader, being bold, it just seemed to be there to motivate a white hijab being purchased, and it was very distracting to the cadence and continuity of the story. Every time Faizah is self reflecting on her fear, suddenly a conversation about Eid with a friend named Sophie disrupts the story. Even the refrain that “Bravery grows in your mind.  But its roots are in your heart,” sounds lovely, but is never explained or developed, so what are you to water it with? What are the right reasons?  I’m sure most will be fine with the concepts and presentation and not be bothered, but this book is an auto buy for Muslims and non Muslims alike, and while I appreciate the packaging, I wish the story itself was more, well “Bold.”

The book starts with Faizah going to Jummah with her mom and sister, and loving being part of the crowd, she then goes to fencing and loves being part of the crowd, “it feels right.  I feel right,” she says.  But then the coach calls her name and she starts to worry.  She doesn’t like when people stare at her, she worries she did something wrong. The coach has already reminded her to “saber first, then move forward,” so I’m not sure why she worries after if she did something wrong, it is a class, reminders and corrections are what happen in a class.

Then on Sunday, the trio is back at the masjid for salat before Asiya’s fencing lesson.  The coach asks Faizah if she wants to come in for extra practice before the tournament.  Faizah isn’t planning on participating in the tournament though and would rather think about Eid.  Thinking about getting together in the future with Sophie to pick out Eid clothes, is more fun than fencing.  The reader doesn’t know when Eid is, or why Faizah seemed to break into a day dream when asked about fencing.  Furthermore the reader doesn’t feel the worry of being in a competition because Faizah is not shown to be worried.

Later that night Asiya teaches Faizah the moves she learned and Faizah practices alone.  There is then a two page spread that I do not understand, on one page she is saying, “When no one is watching, I ‘m the best fencer in the world,” three lines later it says Even when others are watching, I can do it.  I can be the best.”  What happened in between? I get the following line, “but it’s hard to be my best when I have to stand out to do it,” but the the line in the middle makes no sense.  What is the point of the book if she can do it and knows it at the mid point?  And no, I’m not reading an arc, I checked out this copy from the library.

The family is back at the masjid on Friday and reassuring Faizah as they head to fencing, that she can do it even when people are watching, that bravery will come.  She hasn’t been nervous at class before, and hasn’t signed up for the tournament, so why is she suddenly uncomfortable, when at the start she loved fencing class as she felt she fit in.

Then it is Saturday, and Sophie finally comes, but not to prepare for Eid, just to discuss, how they will prepare for Eid.  At least now we know it will be next week. The next Friday, I know I feel like a calendar should have been included, it is fencing class again and Faizah is called up to demonstrate.  She finds her strength and she is shy, but realizes they are not just looking at her, but looking at what she can do.  She is leading, she is helping, she is being brave.

Finally it is Sunday, and Sophie and Faizah are at the hijab shop, and Faizah picks a white hijab because it matches the fencing clothes, and she is going to the tournament.

Yeah, sorry I spoiled it, I just really am sad that the book wasn’t as great as it could have been.  It connected the dots eventually, but not in a memorable way, and for the team responsible for this book, it really could and should have been amazing.

Oct6

My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya

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My Olive Tree by Hazar Elbayya

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I love that this author illustrator traditionally published book shows the ways that olive trees and their fruit connect people.  The little girl, Salam, can’t wait to grow her very own tree, but it takes a while, and when it finally sprouts, it is trampled by soldiers.  Heartbroken to lose her plant, her community shows her how they are like their beloved olive trees: their roots are deep, and they are a part of the land.  The tender illustrations, the poignant symbolism, and the love and unity that radiates through, makes this book an important read for children and adults of all ages and backgrounds.  There are no countries mentioned in the text (Palestine appears only in the author’s note), nor any religion, there are visible Muslims in the illustrations, even the soldiers are unnamed, but the setting is clear.  Picture books take years to be published and that it released at this point in history, shows how long the struggle for freedom has been taking place, and how strong and resilient Palestinians are.  This book that will be read over and over, shows even in the sadness, the feeling of hope abounds.

The book starts with Salam noting how old her grandpa is, and that only the olive trees are older than Sido.  Sido then explains to his granddaughter how the olive trees connect them all: farmed, picked, pressed, oil used to cook, olives sold to eat, added to dishes, and made into soap.  Salam goes to plant her seed and be part of the connection. She waters it and waits, but it doesn’t seem to be growing.

Finally a spout, and then a little plant, and then the soldiers march into their lands and destroy everything in their path, even Salam’s olive tree.  Sido reassures her that she will plant more olive trees in her lifetime, but Sido also wants to show her that she is not alone.  Friends, family, and neighbors, come together to show her, “just like the olive trees, when they try to break us, we grow back stronger.”

A truly beautiful hopeful book, subhanAllah.

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Sep23

With All My Heart by Aasia Khan (Book One in the Exciting New Maren Springs Series)

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With All My Heart by Aasia Khan (Book One in the Exciting New Maren Springs Series)

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I would assume this 185 page book sets out primarily to be a wholesome halal romance and to that end it probably meets its goal and gives teen Muslim girls a sweet idyllic fluffy love story within the bounds of Islamic rules. The main couple are hinted at as being alone a few times, but they are aware of it, and there is no touching, the intent is always to marry, it is worth noting there are birthdays celebrated, females singing in front of males, some element of threat, murder, criminal activity and hinted at (not described) obscene images. So for what it is, it is a fine, but for anyone not clamoring for any and all clean halal romance books, the plot is very, very weak, the climax none existent, the lacking rising action incredibly frustrating given the premise and thus potential of the book. Even the plot holes are a bit hard to overcome, even given their propensity in the genre. Written in third person omniscient keeps the book at arms length, and further prevented me from connecting with any of the characters.  The entire path the book will take is established in the first few pages, and with no twists or turns, or emotional connection, the book drags.  The perfect wealthy family of hafizes, that have no flaws, fix and provide everything and make no mistakes, are too unrealistic for me, and I found it off-putting, which isn’t to say your 14 year old dreamy eyed daughter won’t absolutely love it, but for me it is rather forgettable.

SYNOPSIS:

Two brothers, married two sisters and each have a son, the boys are raised as brothers.  At some point a family friend’s daughter, Layla, drinks from a bottle that contains the breast milk of Asad’s mom, and thus Layla becomes his “foster” sister, but not Usmans.  The baby the milk was intended for passed away early on, and through it all the families stay in touch, but never again meet.  The children, Usman and Layla have not met since Usman was 5 and Layla 1, yet they think of each other often and don’t know why the families keep apart.   Both can sense each other, identify what they have touched, and where they have been.  When Layla’s parents are killed and Layla turns up at the family’s estate in Maren Springs, Usman knows he will marry Layla, as the family welcomes their missing foster daughter/niece home.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I honestly had to read the prologue five times, and I flipped back to it while reading at least that many more times, and the book is not long.  The term “foster” threw me off which is my own ignorance, but alhumdulillah the book does eventually explain it and my Lit Sisters helped me to understand that in Arabic it is Radhaa’a which translates to “foster” to describe when mother’s milk is shared and the relationships that result.  I don’t know that the family tree is necessary, I suppose it helps since the parents are called by their first names, but it should have been in the front if included, it was a bit odd at the end.  Similarly odd is the book claiming itself “exciting” on the cover.  Blurbs are usually from others describing their thoughts or excitement about the book, not part of the title from the author, I also don’t understand why the fictional location is Maren Springs is in the title, when the four main characters work and live 4 or so hours away in Orkney. They should just live and work in Maren Springs, I didn’t see the benefit of them commuting every other chapter for no reason, and taking up unnecessary page space detailing if they were here or there, coming or going.

I feel like the book would be better in dual point of view, the characters as written don’t stand out, and there is too much telling and not enough showing.  Layla is shown to be helpless, but told to be strong, and the brothers too overly good, there needs to be more backstory of the characters, to ground them, flesh them out, and make them more interesting.  As for the plot, (SPOILERS) had the cause of why Layla was running, the murder of her parents been a looming threat, the blackmail emails with doctored images, the witness protective program been woven in, the book would have had readers intrigued, and on the edge of their seats.  Sadly it is all glaringly absent, and thus it becomes so dry just to read page after page about everything being perfect and then when it isn’t, the brothers just take care of everything in a few sentences to resume it to being, you guessed it, perfect.  The idea of Layla being on the run after her parents’ death and finding refuge in old family friends, is a great set up, but there is absolutely zero follow through. Layla doesn’t even know where the boys work, the name of the company, the reader is never really sure what they do, what anyone’s skill or academic background is, it is very vague.  At times it is downright juvenile that the heads of the company are called “big bosses,” the magical realism connection between the couple, referred to as the “alien” or “Martian” connection. Clearly the premise of the relationships and the positioning of bringing everyone together was thought through by the author, but the execution on the page sadly doesn’t reflect it.

I know in the romance genre the plot holes are always present, but to have them so early before any character development has occurred provides little incentive for the reader to overlook them because they are invested in the story.  A love connection between a 1 and 5 year old is a pretty big leap the reader is expected to be ok with, no backstory showing how close the families were, no phone calls or Facetime sessions, just letter writing, doesn’t convince the reader that there is a foundation to revisit when tragedy strikes.  The ease in which the “climax” is resolved and minimized feels dismissive and will highlight the missed opportunity even to younger readers.

I know this reads as a harsh review, but I wouldn’t have bothered writing my thoughts up if I didn’t think there was some potential for revisions to be made. The book isn’t awful, it just really is close to being a lot better than it currently is, and I hope the author will consider revisiting the story and elevating it (the benefit of Amazon print on demand) to a book that our Muslim teens can fall in love with.

FLAGS:

Some threat, birthday celebrations, singing in the car in mixed company, murder referenced, fear

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I purchased the book and will get it to the Islamic school library, but it isn’t a candidate for a book club selection as there is nothing really to discuss.

Sep20

All Mixed Up by Raj Tawney

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All Mixed Up by Raj Tawney

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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.

 

Sep10

Crestar and the Knight Stallion: The Legend Begins by Robertson, Ahmad, Jasim, Gastonny, and Robinson

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Crestar and the Knight Stallion: The Legend Begins by Robertson, Ahmad, Jasim, Gastonny, and Robinson

This new comic book series combines a lot of exciting elements.  It is a comic book and soon to be live action movie, it is both action and comedic,  it features Desi (Pakistani) and Arab (Iraqi) representation in the title roles, as it is in part written and created by the “characters” themselves. There are Muslim hijabi side characters, cultural Islamic phrases, and a whole lot of saving the day in a plagued Dearborn, Michigan setting.  I admittedly am still very much an outsider to comic books, what all goes in to them, their target audience, and what norms and expectations they carry.  So, I say what I am about to say from a very non critical, simply informative stance, when I say it has what I would consider mature content for elementary aged kids.  The comedy found in the offhand comments, the profanities that are substituted with symbols, surprised me. I anticipated a level of violence and killing, and appreciate that this book doesn’t have the near naked females being shown as many comics do, but I don’t think it is appropriate for younger audiences, probably more middle school and up.  I have not seen the live action, in a different format it might hit different so to speak, but I’m sharing some pictures of the text so that families can decide if the comic books are a good fit for their readers or not.

I love the idea of Muslim rep superheroes, that one is an Iraqi immigrant having to find himself in American society and accept himself, that Crestar is mysterious and his background and motives not known, the cultural and religious infusions, and matchmaking stresses are all amazing subplots to the evil that is destroying the community.  Theft and killings are the norm, Crestar is fighting back, when he discovers Ali has survived an explosion, he begins testing him with the hopes he will join him as the Knight Stallion. The first book is an introduction to the characters, the setting, and the protagonists meeting, it ends hinting that Crestar and the Knight Stallion will be working together, which isn’t much of a surprise given the title of the series, but it sets the stage.

I am not going to write a full review, because I can’t. I just really don’t know if the superhero parts are new and unique or tired and tropey because I don’t know enough about comics to have a valid opinion.  There are trailers online and the first two comic books available are top industry quality in terms of graphics, binding, length etc.

Aug5

Academy Story by Naim Hammami

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Academy Story by Naim Hammami

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

SYNOPSIS:

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

WHY I LIKE IT:

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

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

FLAGS:
Secrets, business deception

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

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

Jul24

Tales from Cabin 23: Night of the Living Head by Hanna Alkaf

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Tales from Cabin 23: Night of the Living Head by Hanna Alkaf

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I was genuinely pulled in to this story within a story, 244 page middle grade scary read.  I was not expecting Islamic representation from the Muslim Author, I’m not sure why, but I was happily surprised all the main characters are Muslim and unapologetic, praying, reciting ayats when the fear mounts, and seeing the world through their Malaysian and Islamic perspectives. It was really well done, engaging, spooky, and then it came to a screeching halt, like slam on the breaks, story is over now we are going to talk and explain and make it about family and forgiveness.  I admittedly don’t read much “horror” if any, so perhaps the over explanation at the end is formulaic to put the target audience reader at ease, and prevent lingering nightmares.  Even if that is the case however, the climax in the book came way too early making the explanation way too long.  I would imagine most target readers don’t expect the same literary refinement in a scary book as they would in other genres, but the more “explaining” the book tried to do, the more holes were revealed. By the end, the book made no sense and I wished I would have stopped reading halfway through and had the unknown lingering vibes be the ultimate takeaway.

SYNOPSIS:

It starts at Camp Apple Hill Farm where Melur is for a two week summer camp, when she chooses “dare” and is forced into the woods alone to find the witch that tells stories in Cabin 23.  When she finds herself at the cabin, the story she is told is about Alia, her missing sister who has returned, and a penanggalan that is terrorizing the town.  Twelve year old Alia has moved from Kuala Lumpur to the city of her birth, she doesn’t have a lot of friends, and her missing sister has unexpectedly returned.  Something is off with her sister, she smells weird, and is too perfect.  Alia’s parents don’t seem to want to discuss it, and what is the whooshing sound that seems to follow Alia everywhere.  When kids at school start whispering about seeing things and hearing things, Alia is worried that her sister and the sightings, might be related. Yep no further spoilers here, sorry.

WHY I LIKE IT:
I love that the characters are Muslim and it is just who they are, it isn’t othering or explanatory, it is just part of the characters, that comes out as they try to figure out what is going on.  I really enjoyed the first half, I know that often in scary movies, at least the ones I can handle, the build up is usually fun, and the resolution a little bit of a let down, so I was anticipating that, but this book really seemed to fall apart as it tried to wrap up all the threads.  It ultimately ended up being rather disappointing and I’m honestly kind of mad about it. Despite it all, I will still shelve it for middle graders to read.  We need Islamic rep in all genres for all ages and this one I think is the first I have seen, and for that alone I do appreciate what it offers.

FLAGS:

It is “scary”, there is gore, abandonment, possession, creepiness, no one will accidently pick it up and be surprised.  The cover has a head with its entrails hanging out and the title is “the living head.”

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
As stated above I would shelve the book, I think fans of creepy book will be delighted to see a Muslim protagonist, and the Malaysian rep is nice to see as well.

Jul16

Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan

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Amir and the Jinn Princess by M.T. Khan

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

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

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

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

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

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

FLAGS:

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

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