Tag Archives: Muslim Characters

Jul12

Night of the Moon By Hena Khan Illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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Night of the Moon is a beautiful book both visually and content wise.  The pictures are bright and inviting and consume the entire page, keeping even the youngest of listeners engaged.  The book has an AR level of 4.1 and has 32 pages, making it work great for story time and well for independent readers too.

The book tells of seven-year-old Yasmeen, a Pakistani-American girl experiencing Ramadan. The story is moved along by the ever changing phases of the moon. While this book is adequately called a Muslim Holiday Story, it is very cultural.  The characters go to the mosque, but the focus of the story is not why we fast, the revelation of the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), or even manners.  The story focuses on going to iftar parties, having henna painted on your hands, presents, and the very Pakistani-tradition of celebrating chand-raat, the night of the moon.

I like that this book shows Yasmeen talking about Eid at school with classmates of other backgrounds, I even like that her grandma wears hijab and her mother does not.  I also like that they eat a variety of foods, from kebobs to cupcakes.  Thus far, so many of the Ramadan and Eid books I’ve read contain the same information in a fictionalized setting, this one is definitely different, instead of focusing on what Ramadan is, it shows how it is celebrated.  The book works well for Muslim and non Muslim children from all around the world.  If your audience lives in American and has ties to the Asian subcontinent they will see them selves in this book, and even if they don’t, they will probably want to join Yasmeen and her family is celebrating Ramadan and the Night of the Moon.

Jul11

Samira’s Eid By Nasreen Aktar Illustrated By Enebor Attard

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Samira’s Eid is a dual language story (my copy is English and Arabic, other languages are prevalent online as well) about Samira and Hassan, siblings enjoying Ramadan.  It is Hassan’s first time fasting and he is afraid fasting may hurt,  Samira and their mom explain that it won’t and continue to walk him through each step of a Ramadan day as he experiences them.  This point of view allows the reader to see what  Ramadan is like, how it feels, and what it means. The story carries on through Eid and explains as well as shows how Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated by Samira and her family.   The story concludes with a lovely surprise ending involving an Eid Card and Samira’s Nani (grandma), that adds to the book’s appeal at bedtime or story time.

The story is sweet, and level appropriate, it doesn’t get preachy and the dialogue doesn’t seem forced.  It is story driven and would be engaging to both Muslim and non- Muslim children with a little discussion.  The pictures are mediocre. They are colorful and for the most part a good accessory to the story. There are a few pictures however, where the faces are a bit “droopy” and jarring.  Particularly the one of Samira’s teacher, Mrs. Qadir.

It is unclear where the story takes place exactly, presumably the Asian subcontinent as Samira receives a shalwar-kameez to wear for Eid and the use of the term Nani. The author makes a point of following  the moon sighting for Saudi Arabia that may need to be discussed based on personal and community views and practices.

Overall a good story and at 22 pages a nice read-out-loud selection.

 

Jul9

The Three Muslim Festivals By Aminah Ibrahim Ali Illustrated By Aldin Hadzic

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The Three Muslim Festivals is a very informative book about Ramadan, Id al-Fitr, and Id al-Adha, at over 60 pages however, it is a bit long for story time or smaller children.  Broken up into three parts, each told from a different character, the book would work well for second through fourth grade students.  It reads like a very basic chapter book, with information mixed in with a simple story.  The morals are clear, hadith, ayats and dua’as are shared and the illustrations help support the fictionalized portions.  The pictures aren’t engaging, but they do show a variety of ethnic groups and happy families.  The book is content, not character driven, but the families are supportive of the children, there are actively involved moms and dads, grandparents, and siblings.  The mom in one story is a physician and the dads help in the kitchen and around the house, showing some diversity. I like how it serves as both a review of basic Islamic principals while reinforcing elements that a child may not know or may have forgotten in a non condescending manner.  I would imagine the average seven year old could read it independently and comprehend it without being bored.  It isn’t the best written story out there, but it should be engaging enough to convey a lot of good information to an elementary aged reader.  Based on the style it is probably more intended for Muslim readers, but there is a three page glossary of terms in the back.

Jul7

Eid Kareem Ameer Saab By Fawzia Gilani-Williams

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This book made me laugh. It is essentially the story of Scrooge in the Christmas Carol simplified for a younger audience and switched to an Islamic perspective.  Don’t get me wrong, despite its unoriginal foundation, it is a good story.

The main character is grouchy, wealthy Ameer Saab who we see in a typical day berating his servant Raheem, refusing to help a woman and her young baby, refusing to help the poor, and neglecting his Salah.  Meanwhile Raheem is scrounging up his money with his wife to provide food, while still managing to help a widow, and others.  That night Ameer Saab has three dreams, in the first he is reprimanded by his father, the second by his mother, and in the third his money and jewels strangle him.  He wakes up a changed man on Eid morning.

This book is great for 2nd through 4th graders, with colorful pictures and well spaced text, it invites rather than intimidates this age group.  The morals are also clear and influential as the reader can see clearly which side is more desirable to Allah swt.

There is a verse from the Quran explained, and there are a few Arabic words, nothing off-putting for a newly independent reader and at just 24 pages, I think most elementary age students will enjoy and benefit from the story.

Jul3

Zaki’s Ramadhan Fast By Ann P. El-Moslimany Illustrated By Erica L. Butler

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Zaki’s Ramadhan Fast is an age appropriate picture book for kids trying to fast for the first time (Little ones to 8 or 9 years old).  The illustrations drive the story and the short paragraphs explain the excitement and difficulties Zaki experiences on his “first real fast.”  The book talks about the rituals of waking up early, the importance of not fighting and getting angry, and the mercy of Allah.  Zaki makes his way through the day with the help of his supportive family and climaxes with Zaki forgetting he is fasting and eating a muffin.  The book is a great introduction to Islam and Ramadan to children of all backgrounds, but is definitely more applicable to young Muslims trying to fast, especially during these long hot summer days.

Jun29

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

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I probably should not have read this so close to the book Wanting Mor, as it too is about a girl in Afghanistan, and with a cleft lip none the less.  The similarities fortunately pretty much end there.  Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy is a fictional story that sprung from his own military service in Farah, Afghanistan and brief encounter with a girl named Zulaikha, who he and his comrades pulled money together to fund her transport for surgery.  He clearly states in his Author’s Note that he had preconceived notions on Afghanis when he deployed and how those changed as he got to know the people, he also states his disadvantage in writing the book as he is neither an Afghan or a girl.  Such honesty and care with the subject matter shines through the pages and creates a glimpse at everyday life for the characters without being overshadowed by judgement.  The first 50 pages or so of the 264 total are a bit overwhelming, but if the reader plugs through, the rest is smooth sailing and hard to put down.  It has an AR level of 4.6 although there are a few items mentioned in passing that would make me nervous to let someone that young read it.  A main story plot is the marraige of Zulaikha’s sister Zeynab and preparations include her receiving marital advise that makes her blush, and following the wedding night, a cloth with Zeynab’s blood is brought to Zulaikha’s family.  No explanation is given and many readers may just brush over it, however, if asked, it could be awkward to explain to a fourth grader.  Additionally during a conversation between Zulaikha and Zeynab, Zeynab says about some of her marriage difficulties, “Every night. . .He wants me to have a son, but I don’t know, , ,”.  Definitely something to consider when recommending this book to someone younger. 

SYNOPSIS:

Thirteen-year-old Afghani girl, Zulaikha, has a tough life.  Born with a cleft lip and having lost her mother to the Taliban she spends her days with her older sister Zeynab caring for her two younger brothers, prepparing food for her father and older brother, and constantly being berrated by her step-mother.  Set in a post Taliban setting, Zulaikha stumbles across a woman in town that remembers her as a child and used to teach her mother.  Drawn to Meena, Zulaikha begins fullfilling her mother’s dream by meeting secretly with Meena to learn how to read and right and understand the poetry of her homeland.  Things really start to look up as the American army rolls in and hires her father, a welder, on some of their new buildings, and offers to fund reconstructive surgery for her lip.  Arrangements are also made for her sister to marry a prominent man in the community.  However, things don’t go exactly as planned, and Zulaikha and her family must evaluate what they want and how much they mean to each other.

WHY I LIKE IT: 

The story doesn’t assume anything about the characters or society, American and Afghan alike, which to me seems authentic.  It doesn’t feel as if stereotypes are perpetuated or intentionally broken down, there is simply diversity of thought, opportunity and action. The book doesn’t shy away from American arrogance (offering the Muslim character’s pork and shaking hands with those of the opposite gender), nor does it make them seem cold hearted (they are genuinely helping Zulaikha’s family), similarily the Afghan men are loving to their wives and children, but doemstic violence is also shown.  Some of the Afghan women are educated and independent others are illiterate and dependent.  I like that the characters are religious, and hopeful that Allah will provide what is best for them.  As the characters put their trust in Allah, and endure with sabr (patience), the reader too is relieved at the ending which is both cathartic and sweet.

FLAGS:

Reference to married life, domestic violence

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Depending on the audience this book could be a GREAT book club book, it would probably need parental consent for the few items mentioned regarding marital life, but I think middle school girls would gain appreciation for their own lives and opportunities after reading about Zulaikha.

The author’s website: http://www.trentreedy.com/book-witd.html

Interview with the Author and his Publisher http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/downloads/printable/49-FE2-CaseStudyWritingMulticulturalFiction.html

The book includes an introdction by Katherine Paterson (Author of Bridge to Terabithia and numerous other books), a pronunciation guide, a glossary, an author’s note, acknowledgements, information about the poetry used in the book, and recommended reading about Afghanistan.

 

 

Jun2

Wanting Mor By Rukhsana Khan

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SYNOPSIS:

Jameela has a lot of obstacles as the book opens: poverty, her mother, Mor, has just died, a cleft lip, and an angry  father that returns to drugs and alcohol.  As the book progresses however, things don’t get better in fact they get worse.  In war-torn Afghanistan Jameela and her father move from their small village to the bustling city of Kabul, recently freed from Taliban control. With only her faith in Allah and her memory of Mor, Jameela endures being a virtual slave in one home, before being whisked away for her father’s inappropriate actions with the lady of the house.  Desperate for a place to live, Jameela’s father marries a widow for her money and Jameela becomes a slave to her new stepmother.  When her stepbrother Masood, tries to teach her how to read and write her name, her stepmother convinces Jameela’s father to take her to the busy market place and leave her.  Alone, lost, and with no where to go a kind butcher tries to help her, but ultimately she ends up in an orphanage.  Prospects look up for Jameela as she finally is allowed an education, friends, and security, however, issues with her father and stepmother must be resolved and ultimately this serves to be the biggest test for Jameela.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The story in a nutshell, is heartbreaking, yet Khan never seems to diminish the hope felt for Jameela and the belief that she will find a way to have a full life.  Based on a true story, it is hard to put the book down and the 183 pages fly by quickly.  Jameela is very devout in her prayers, her modesty and her imaan, illuminating  a story where so much sadness prevails. Her faith in Allah swt brings her peace and strength and Khan successfully passes that message on to the reader.  Jameela not only has to navigate her family issues, but also the challenge of making friends, dealing with her appearance, taking control of matters regarding her education, and so much more than most student’s coming of age have to endure.  I think Jameela’s strengths and faults will inspire and serve as lessons to the readers, most likely girls who have it much, much easier.  And who after reading the book, inshaAllah, will appreciate how much harder their lives could be.  

This is the second book I’ve read and blogged about by Rukhsana Khan, the first was a children’s fiction book My Big Red Lollipop.  The two books are both well written and I enjoy her voice as an author, this book however, Wanting Mor, while only an AR Level 3.7, I would reserve for a more mature audience.  The reading is easy and fluid, the story is powerful and well told and I think would be fine in a 7th or 8th grade and up environment.  I would be nervous to recommend this book blindly to a young adult reader without context, direction, and some background.  The incident after a party, with alcohol, where Jameela’s father enters a married woman’s room, implies more than I would want a 3rd or 4th grader inquiring about.  Details aren’t given, but it causes a huge turning point in the story and is thus critical.  At one point a character is groped in the street and Jameela laughs, highly inappropriate that it happens and equally inappropriate that Jameela laughs at her friend.

Another point I would want to discuss with anyone reading the book before hand is the concept that, If you can’t be beautiful, you should at least be good.”  Mor tells it to Jameela, presumably because of her birth defect, but I think that a young girl reading the book shouldn’t take it at face value, I would want to explain the culture, the environment, and talk about such a statement on many levels.

FLAGS:

 Implied sexual violence, drug and alcohol use

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Given the right group of older students, this book would make a decent book club selections with plenty to discuss and plenty of emotion.

The author’s website page:  http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/books/wantingmor.html

Teacher’s guide:  http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/teacherguides/Wanting%20Mor%20Teacher’s%20Guide.PDF

Wanting Mor Presentation:  http://www.rukhsanakhan.com/teacherguides/Wanting%20Mor%20Presentation%20Guide.PDF

 

 

 

May30

Beneath My Mother’s Feet By Amjed Qamar

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I was so surprised by this book, subhanAllah.  I picked it up at a used bookstore and didn’t think much of it, tossed it in my bag one day as I headed out with my children’s class on a field trip and seriously didn’t want the bus ride to end I was so caught up in the book.  An easy 200 page read if you are familiar with Pakistani culture, even more so if you have ties to Karachi (specifically Defense), the detail takes you to the streets and gullies you know and you want to stay and look around.  If you don’t have these reference points, the book might be a bit hard to connect with, but I think the Author still gets her story across if you are willing to try (there is a glossory in the back).  Beneath My Mother’s Feet is a 4.9 reading level, and because of the heavy cultural references I don’t think I would do it as a book club book, but I have already suggested it to certain students that I know will find a connection and appreciate their mothers and their opportunities in America all the more.

SYNOPSIS:

Nazia is a typical fourteen-year-old Pakistani girl in the large and bustling city of Karachi, Her working class family suddenly is thrown into chaos when her father gets injured at his construction job.  As we learn more about her father, Nazia and the reader discover how lazy, selfish, and dishonest he is, despite Nazia’s determination to see the best in him.  While the family has had hard times before, this time something more than Nazia’s mom scraping and sewing to get by is needed.  As a result Nazia is pulled out of school to help her mom be a maid, masi, in wealthy families’ homes.  The family eventually loses their home, and Nazia’s older brother steals all the jewelry and clothing intended for Nazia on her wedding.  Her father disappears and the women of the family are left to find the strength and resources to carry on.  While the cover teases the idea that Nazia is a “perfect daughter” and that she is such a “good girl” I found these to be incredibly misleading statements and pulled quotes.  I think the story, shows how determined Nazia is, but not at a rebellious level, more as a girl finding her self and willing to risk it all for what she believes, a trait very much in line with her mother’s example.  

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like that it shows self resilience and self reliance both from Nazia and her mom, Naseem.  Nazia holds on to her friendships, her dreams, and isn’t afraid of hard work.  She explores what it means to be a good daughter, good sister, good friend, and good worker. She also is emotionally sympathetic and generous to a small servant boy, all wonderful concepts to present to a 4th through 6th grade audience.  I like that although Nazia isn’t terribly religious she does rely on Allah (swt) and her faith to help her endure the various hardships she encounters.  Islam isn’t at the forefront, but clearly she Muslim.  The book is heavily steeped in culture, the concept of a dowry, how masi’s are treated are not Islamic in the least, and unfortunately the author doesn’t articulate that it is only a cultural norm.  While the women tend to be highlighted in different colors throughout the book, the men seem to be brushed over in a very negative light.  On the surface it is nice to see strong women of various socio/economic spheres coming together and making decisions, but to push all the men aside as being worthless, isn’t realistic or fair.  I liked the uncertainty at the end, usually I prefer books that wrap up all loose ends, but here i think it opens the door to imagine what would have happened and discuss it.  

FLAGS:

The book is remarkably clean, There is lying, but consequences are clear.  There is some violence in the mistreatment of the masis, but the author shows Nazia bothered by it and it is discussed.  Nazia and her friends remark at some of the cute cricket players, but nothing is done about it and it seems innocent enough.

 

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

A reading guide by the publisher:  http://www.amjedqamar.com/Reviews.html

A bit about the author and where the story idea came from:     https://www.webjunction.org/content/dam/WebJunction/Documents/ohio/Beneath_My_Mothers_Feet_toolkit.pdf

Amjed Qamar’s official website:  http://www.amjedqamar.com/

Interview with Amjed Qamar from A Year of Reading:  

    http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2008/05/sneak-peek-keep-your-eye-on-this-new.html

 

May14

Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale Retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams

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Nabeel’s New Pants: An Eid Tale retold by Fawzia Gilani-Williams and illustrated by Proiti Roy is a silly story about a shoemaker getting ready for Eid.  He goes to buy gifts for his wife, mother and daughter and gets a new pair of pants for himself.  The pants, however, are four fingers too long, and no one has time to hem them for him: Not the shop keeper, not his wife, not his mother, not his daughter, so he does it himself.  Nabeel then goes out to visit the poor and hand out charity and all the women in his life feel guilty andsneak over to hem his pants for him.  Luckily Nabeel has a sense of humor and there is just enough time to fix some seriously too short pants.

The book is 32 pages and an AR level 2.9.  It reads well out loud, with simple, yet colorful pictures for even the littlest ones to look at and enjoy.  The story is simple, and probably has a lot more relevance to a Muslim audience than a non Muslim one.  Eid is not described in any great detail, other than gifts are given, charity distributed, new clothes are worn, and lots of food is prepared, so it might put off those not familiar with the holiday.  Islam isn’t mentioned by name, but is obviously assumed.  Culturally the characters are Indian sub-continent based on the food’s being prepared.  Some of the women fully cover, some a little and some not at all.  And I particularly like that Nabeel can sew his pants himself.  The kids enjoy seeing themselves and their families in a silly story.  Even the three-year-olds get the punchline and all around it is just a fun book.  Alhumdulillah!

Apr28

Jennah’s New Friends By: Suzy Ismail

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ImageThis book is presumably book one of the BFF SISTERS series, however, the author’s website doesn’t list any other books in the series and it was published in 2001, so it is unknown if more books are in the works.  At 64 pages, the intended audience is girls between ages 7 and 12, but I would note that there are no illustrations and while it is broken into chapters (on average about 10 pages long) the text and layout would be daunting to the average 2nd and possibly 3rd grade student. 

SYNOPSIS: 

Jennah lives in a neighborhood with lots of Muslims and lots of friends, but when a new girl moves in, Jennah is afraid that her best friend Yasmeen would rather be best friends with the new girl, Mariam.  Jennah not only is afraid of losing her friend, but there is a lot going on at home too, her mom is about to have a baby, her younger sister is always bothering her, and her dad is constantly away on business.  Alhumdulilah, Jennah is surrounded by supportive adults, forgiving and generous friends, and an Islamic foundation that allows her to sort out her feelings and create a Hadeeth club with All her new friends.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love that it is a clean book for the elementary age group, the girls do not have boyfriends and while hijab is mentioned in passing, the girls are a group of kids that are dealing with the constant struggle of all girls that age: friends.  Each girl in the BFF club is from a different background, Arab, Pakistani, African American, one’s parents are converts, and at the end a non-Muslim joins the group, truly someone for every reader to identify with.  I think most every girl reading this book can relate to the struggles amongst friends, being the new kid, having younger siblings, trying to fit in, and jealousy, all topics touched on, however the book is an awkward read.  I can’t decide if the book is a short story that got too long, or a novel that wasn’t fleshed out.  The beginning drags on as the foundation of who all the characters are is established, and at times Jennah seems very whiney and immature with problems that wrap-up with little explanation or insight.  Everything often seems too “perfect” and Jennah’s problems petty when all the surrounding characters are so over the top forgiving and generous.  The book left me wanting to know more about the backgrounds of the supporting characters, and more about how Jennah felt.  I think readers may get lost with all the characters, but if they can sort it out, I think they will see themselves and their friends in the pages dealing with the same issues they deal with every day.

FLAGS:

Clean

TEACHING THIS BOOK:

I probably wouldn’t teach this book for the intended audience, or share it as a book club, however, one-on-one the book would be a great starting point for a discussion with a girl having problems with friends.