Tag Archives: Muslim Family

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.

Jun27

Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean

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Tyger by SF Said illustrated by Dave McKean

I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book like this 304 page middle grade fantasy, dystopian, highly illustrated adventure. It delves into philosophy, alternate universes, slavery, racism, politics, magic, identity, friendship, betrayal, human rights, education, following your dreams, saving the world, and a talking immortal tiger. It started a little stilted for me, but as the book progressed, I began to see that a lot of detail about all the above mentioned threads would make for a very adult, very lengthy read, and this is meant for 9-12 year olds, albeit they would need to be able to handle the darkness of the book at times, and caregivers, be aware there is a public hanging of a child. The author is Muslim, and the protagonist and a side character identify as Muslim.  There is not much about Islam, or shown in practice, but that they are afraid to learn and practice their faith is mentioned briefly. I think kids will enjoy the read, and not get hung up on threads unexplored as I did.  The illustrations really make it a book that feels exciting to spend time with, and one that will linger with the reader.  I look forward to sharing it when it releases soon in the US, as it was published in 2022 in the UK.

SYNOPSIS:

In short the book is about a boy, Adam, living “in an alternate London where the British Empire hasn’t ended and slavery was never abolished.” In a partitioned off Ghetto as a minority from the vague “Middle East,” who is unable to go to school, or even draw, he makes deliveries for his family to help keep them afloat. During one such delivery he encounters a tiger, an animal like so many others that is extinct, her name is Tyger, and she speaks.  She is an immortal searching for Guardians to help her heal and open a portal to the city.  When Adam, who is immediately connected to her, cannot find a Guardian, she begins to train him, time is short and when he discovers his friend Zadie, short for Scheherazade, has some training from her father, the two set out to open the doors of perception, imagination, creation, and  revelation, to save the day.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I really like that this book opens up larger discussions about society, self, literature, imagination etc, and can really be adapted to mean different things depending on what the reader brings to it. The book addresses these themes in a way that doesn’t talk down to the reader, and in many ways allows the simple bad guy of the story to not be the takeaway point, but rather the journey of understanding perspective, points of view, empathy, creating something, and hope to be far more important.

The identity of the characters being Muslim initially was just a label, one that just made Adam and Zadie more “other,” but a few cleverly crafted sentences about hiding their names, their skin color, and whether it worked or not, allow the reader to reflect on if denying yourself to appease others is effective or not, or rather more importantly knowing when and in which situations it could be a benefit or a selling out of who you are.  Zadie and her father seem to practice, and one point Solomon ( Suleiman), offers his prayers, he says Assalamualaikum and Bismilliah. Adam and his family on the other hand, have hidden their faith so as to fit in better, and thus it is simply an identity label.

I liked that the illustrations weren’t just stunning in their own right, but also highlighted the mood, and metaphysical elements of the story.  I feel like I could teach not just a few lessons on this book, but dozens, and who knows if they would be correct, but I think this book would be fantastic as a read aloud in a classroom for the story at hand and for the discussions.  The darkness, the excitement, the hope, really gripped me, and while I could opine on plot holes and lack of articulation, in some key scenes, I appreciate that over explanation would take away from all that the book gets right.

FLAGS:

Racism, oppression, colonialism, slavery, hanging, power imbalance, betrayal, lying, sneaking, fighting, killing, magic, fantasy elements.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

Where to even start, this book needs an educators guide, stat. I looked online and couldn’t find one and I hope that will be corrected soon because if you read my thought above, you know there is a lot to discuss.

Jun25

Always Be My Bibi by Priyanka Taslim

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Always Be My Bibi by Priyanka Taslim

I had pretty low expectations going into this 368 page YA romcom- as often YA is really “adult” and if the characters/author are Muslim in a “romance” it tends to become a heavy handed rebellion against Islamic principles. So imagine my surprise when the book really is meant for teenage readers. The protagonist loves her culture, and it is established really early on that they are Muslim, but aren’t religious.  Sure as an “Islamic School Librarian,” I wish the characters practiced Islam, and that the the kissing and hugging was labeled as haram, but for the fictional story on the page, that is cultural based, it is a delightfully chaotic and fun read.  Note, the kissing and haramness occurs when they are “sneaking out,” and reads as if they are sneaking out from parental rules, not Islamic ones, as they do not view the world through an Islamic lens.  The protagonist’s sister is presented as religious in that she wears hijab, and left a prestigious private school to attend a local Islamic one, but it is not a major plot point, and if anything shows that Islam is not a monolith or something forced, really though it just shows how different the siblings are.  Does that mean the writing is some literary genius? No, not really, but it is a quick light summer read that I enjoyed. The main character, Habiba, aka Bibi, reads as a Bangladeshi Cher from Clueless through and through, and while at the start it was a bit annoying, I ultimately found her endearing by the end.  There are plot holes, but I didn’t care too much given the quick pace and the nature of the book. The ending though, was drawn out and too long, and the book could have been easily 50 pages shorter. All in all it was fun to be transported to a tea estate in Bangladeshi for a wedding, and I wouldn’t have a problem with 15 – 16 year olds or so reading the book.

SYNOPSIS:

Bibi is in hot water with her father for sneaking off to prom with a boy, the deal has always been no dating until her older, perfect, law school bound, sister Halima gets married.  And her punishment for the summer is working at the family restaurant, one of the many Royal Fried Chicken locations in the chain they started that makes her family, chicken royalty. When hijab wearing, no haram dating Halima springs on her family that she is getting married, the family all heads to Bangladesh for the summer to get to know the groom’s family on the massive tea estate, and celebrate the wedding. Oh and Bibi’s punishment will be transferred from working fast food, to working in the fields under her new brother-in-law to be’s grumpy, serious, younger brother, Sohel.  Bibi also holds her father to his end of the deal and when the big book of biodatas arrives, she is ready to have her chaperoned dates as promised.

As the prickly family of inlaws look down on Bibi and her family, Bibi and surprisingly, Sohel join forces to break the pair up. As the book unfolds their mission changes, the bio data book causes drama, old flames are sought after, and the wedding takes some surprising turns.

WHY I LIKE IT:

As I write this, I’m rolling my eyes at the fact that I really did read it in two sittings and was amused. Bibi is spoiled and clueless and yet does have a good heart.  As with most romantically inclined books, a whole lot of suspension of reality takes place and side characters are not fully fleshed out.  Halima and Sunny met in college, and there families are from the same part of Sylhet, infact Baba worked on the Rahman’s tea estate before coming to America.  The grandma is woefully underdeveloped, I get that she is a side character but the girls spend so little time with this woman they love so dearly is a blaring hole. I really didn’t get some of the scenes after the midpoint, they felt like filler and they felt forced: friends coming from America, the bachelorette party turned amusement park trip, Sohel not sticking up for Bibi, the half hearted love triangle, and the Bibi Baba multiple rehashings.

I did like that the title of the book though comes from something Baba says to Bibi, and not from a love interest, that made me smile. And I liked that the “dates” were supervised, it is vague if the dates in America would have been, or if once Halima was married she would have been allowed to “date” with a western definition, but I kind of liked that it wasn’t defined.

FLAGS:

Disrespect, sneaking out, kissing, hugging, close boy girl friendships, sneaking out, language.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
Definitely not a book to spotlight as a book club selection, but one that I would have on the shelf and not mind older high schoolers reading.

Jun19

Eliyas Explains: What was Prophet Muhammad (saw) Like? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

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Eliyas Explains: What was Prophet Muhammad (saw) Like? by Zanib Mian illustrated by Daniel Hills

Zanib Mian once again fills a void in the literary world for our children using her easy to read and relate to protagonist’s voice.  Over 149 pages, filled with illustrated doodles, details about our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) flow through the fictional framing of Eliyas and his family heading to the airport to pick up their Mamoo.  It starts with the standard introduction of characters that all Eliyas books have, so while it is part of the series it can be read as a standalone as well. But really if you have children 5-14, you should invest in the entire collection.  Also, as with the rest of the series, the book is checked by a Shaykh who is named at the beginning so that the reader can enjoy the Islamic details that are to follow. I know there is some debate about the cave and the spider, a story shared briefly within the pages, but I will leave it to those more knowledgeable to decide upon.  The book works well read aloud and independently, either way I’m confident children will enjoy the story, learn something new, and grow in their love of our Rasul Allah, alhumdulillah.

SYNOPSIS:

Eliyas’s dad’s uncle, Haroon Mamoo is coming for a visit, and while Mum wants to make sure they leave at a specific time to get to the airport, Dad isn’t stressed, he had a dream about Prophet Muhammad saw the night before and the kids want to hear all about it.  The story progresses weaving in things around them with Mum and Dad tying them to the sunnah.  From a fight at the airport, to a pigeon getting stuck, to Haroon Mamoo seeming to have gotten lost. The book is preachy, in the best way possible, as Eliyas and Aasiya banter, crack jokes, and learn along with the reader.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love Eliyas’s voice and the weaving of a fictional story to convey the non fictional sunnahs that are truly the heart of the book.  The information presents in an easy way for children to hopefully remember it, and to also see how they should be behaving and acting in their own lives. The fun fonts, illustrations, and layout make it inviting to pick up and keep reading.

FLAGS;

None

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
This book is not a journal, like some in the series are, but provides ample opportunity to discuss points on each page.  

May7

Music of the Mountains: A Story in Pakistan by Sabrina Shah illustrated by Manal Mirza

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Music of the Mountains: A Story in Pakistan by Sabrina Shah illustrated by Manal Mirza

Set around an Eid concert in the North-West Frontier in Pakistan, a young girl must find her courage to play the rabab in front of an audience, even though she is still learning her first song. The beautiful illustrations of Manal Mirza and focusing on an under represented population, made me hopeful that this book would transcend the musical focus and weave in Islam and culture. Sadly, though, the book falls victim to cliche lines that mean nothing, and a story that doesn’t make a lot of sense once you move past the superficial attraction. The backmatter infographics about the rabab, where it can be heard, details about the Pathan/Pashtun people, What Eid is, the traditional clothing, and a Pashto Glossary, add to the vibe of the book, but still fail to offer any specific “hospitality, courage, and rich traditions,” that are only ever referenced in generalized terms and statements.

The book starts with Roohi’s favorite time of day, the sun is settling behind the snow capped mountains and her family is gathering around to listen to her grandfather, Neeka Baba, play the rabab. No they aren’t praying maghrib, or breaking their fast, so presumably it is not Ramadan.  When Neeka Baba plays, “songs full of rhythm echo through the cherry blossom hills.  Songs from long ago tell stories of folklore, heroes, and love. . . songs of Roohi’s ancestors.” A beautiful sentiment, but it is not a thesis statement or main idea of the book as we, the reader, never learn about her ancestors, or folklore, or about the culture.” We are just told they all had courage, and she needs to channel that strength.

She will need strength to play the rabab at her school concert, except remember “she hasn’t even learned a whole song yet.” She also worries she won’t be as good as her grandfather, but presumably he has been playing longer and she is just starting, so I never connected why she felt she should be as good as him.  No one in the story compares them, or says she should be as good as him, or even strive to be as good as him.  There is nothing that hints that this is even a part of the characters development other than the repetitive refrain that she must “play with the courage of those who came before her.” So the cathartic release of being told “to play like yourself” also seems forcefully contrived and not a natural arc of growth and understanding.

As Eid creeps closer, Roohi has lessons with her grandfather on the rabab, and then Neeka Baba coughs and is in the hospital. The reader has no idea how this man falls ill, or recovers, if it was sudden or a known affliction, but he is no longer the focus, the rabab is, and so the story continues.

At the school concert, Roohi is introduced as playing music from the North-West Frontier Province.  Hold up, yes I thought I skipped a page.  They live in the North-West Frontier, don’t they, this is a school concert? What an odd introduction, did they travel? At the end there is a “smile as wide as the lush valleys back home.”  When did they leave home? And why a silent prayer, why not a “bismillah.” Isn’t the point of OWN voice to have the little details and the voice that can’t be imitated by researched work?

I am going to spoil the ending, she freezes, Mama and Neeka Baba help her find her beat in the audience and she steals the show so to speak. The ending is sweet, but not anywhere near as heartfelt as it should have been if the audience would have been shown the strength and courage of the Pashtun culture, not just repeatedly told it, felt the warmth of their hospitality, the rich ancestral values that would be threads that manifest in the music that she is hoping to share with others. Sadly we are just expected to know that they all exist and cheer for Roohi to succeed.

Disappointing, considering how fantastic the illustrations are, sigh.

Apr29

Your Friend From Palestine by Nabila Adani

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Your Friend From Palestine by Nabila Adani

This book is absolutely gorgeous, from the raised text on the cover, the sweeping illustrations with tangible details, the Islamic threads, and the heart, but…yeah you knew something critical was coming, the rhyme is not consistent, and the biggest hurdle for me, is that there is no backmatter.  I can’t say that I’m “bringing this up again,” because I don’t know that the debate ever dies down: can you write a book about something personal that you have not lived through? In this case can a non Palestinian write a book from a Palestinian perspective? As a former journalist and long time reader, I still maintain that you can, but backmatter detailing your own limitations, what efforts were made to have the book verified by those with OWN voice experience, and background information on why this is pertinent and relevant are mandatory. And this book does not offer them.  Nothing feels off about the contents, and anyone with a heart, has seen and felt everything on the pages about our brothers and sisters living under occupation and through genocide. So is it a good book, yes. Do I think it has value, yes. But, is it authentic? Is it accurate? Is it enough? Does the focus on hardship and destruction open eyes or diminish Palestinian joy? Why wasn’t a Palestinian brought in to cowrite the book with the author illustrator? Was it sensitivity read? I am not able to answer these questions, I simply bring up my concerns for you to decide for you and your children. While the book ends on hope for a free Palestine, and a safe Gaza, the oppressor is unnamed.

The book starts with children on a beach playing when they find a message in a bottle.  The message is from Khalid, a child in Gaza telling the finder about his life and asking about theirs. He likes to play football, but sometimes it isn’t safe, he likes to read stories but often can’t because there are no lights, and he dreams of swimming in a swimming pool, because they often don’t even have water to drink.

Khalid then tells the finders of the bottle, and thus the readers, to not lose hope, “to hold on to your imaan.” And it highlights what we can all do to help.  “You can pray for us! Send charity! Spread the news!” and tell people about Palestine. So that one day we can meet at the Dome of the Rock, pray at Masjid Al-Aqsa, and be together in a free Palestine, inshaAllah.

The illustrations are beautiful and the framing effective in connecting with readers, and highlighting the similarities before revealing the obstacles. Again why I wish there was backmatter, so that it didn’t feel simplistic, but rather bringing it down to a younger audience level.  With dialogue, explanation, and context, the book can be powerful, but on its own, I feel the lacking authenticity, transparency, and details about Palestine, make the book in need of an update before future reprintings.

Apr27

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

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Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

The author may have returned to her fictional Golden Crescent neighborhood, but with her best writing yet, the focus is not romance like in her earlier books, it is a murder mystery.  If you think of it, who better to solve a mystery than an unassuming Desi Aunty with a knack for observations, getting people to talk, and prying into other people’s business? I say it with love, this book was such a fun read, I’m sure I should have paid more attention to craft and arcs and writing style, but honestly I devoured the 336 pages in two settings, and genuinely hope that Kausar is just getting started. The adult read isn’t salacious, it does feature a murder, some marital dramas, crime, fraud and the like, I think mature teens that aren’t bothered by a grandmother protagonist will enjoy the read. The first chapter is a bit dry and feels like an info dump, luckily it isn’t a long chapter and I ultimately, appreciated it getting the stage set and then slipping out of the way so the story could get good. The telling and not showing takes a while to flesh out, the author does a good job of threading it through, and by the mid point you really get a feel for the characters and appreciate the early statements that set the tone, and the book’s ability to tie up nearly every thread it presents.  There isn’t a ton of Islam, many of the characters are Muslim; the traditions and cultural expectations are plot beats in the story, even if the action and expectations are not overtly seen through an Islamic lens or with Islamic boundaries.  

SYNOPSIS:

Kausar Khan has always noticed things around her, and when needed, used those observations to position certain outcomes.  When she gets a call from her daughter in Toronto that she needs her mom to come help with the kids as he is wanted for murder, Kausar Khan leaves North Bay and returns to a city filled with memories of tragedy to try and help.  Sana asks her mom not to get involved and to just help with the cooking, cleaning, and childcare, but old friends, new secrets, and the high stakes of a murder are not going to keep this Aunty from unraveling the truth.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love the concept, the execution, and that it didn’t unravel at the end.  I read the last few pages with the same intensity as the climax, trying to figure out whodunit.  The play on traditions and stereotypes to lure suspects in, and the wit and charm of using the religion and culture to advance the plot were flawless.  Sure, I wish the characters threw in some commentary on men and women being alone together not being ok, or some Islamic insight into marriages and rights.  It seemed intentionally lacking, and that is unfortunate. I also felt the thread with the son coming from the UK was painfully underdeveloped, the heart of the book though was strong.  And I loved the side commentary on marriage and women’s roles.  It was insightful and added depth, it didn’t come across as angry or like the author had an axe to grind, which was refreshing.  

FLAGS: 
Murder, affairs, fraud, pyramid schemes, theft, racism, gentrification.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
The book won’t work for a school book club, but is a perfect summer read to giggle about and chat about with friends.

Apr23

The Last Resort by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Rania Hasan

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The Last Resort by Sumayyah Hussein illustrated by Rania Hasan

Once I got over my disappointment that the no parking sign on the bottom left of the cover was a deer and not a unicorn (clearly it is a deer, no shade to the illustrator), the 149 page early chapter book with illustrations was a decent read.  The messaging about family time was a little didactic, but the twist of having the child want it, opens it up to be both reflective for kids also craving family routine, and those that don’t appreciate what they have.  I do wish that the climax of the “noise” was amplified and built upon to add some urgency and tension. And the resolution a little more explained as I don’t know that most target readers will quite grasp what was going on in the resolution.  I know I would probably complain if it was over explained, but here we are.  The book is not preachy in its portrayal of faith, the family is Muslim and they pray and worship as part of their daily routine. The text and spacing, along with the full page black and white illustrations that present once nearly every chapter, make the book accessible and inviting for 2nd and 3rd graders.  I know I sound like a broken record, but the book really just needed a bit more polishing to truly shine, it isn’t a bad read, but based on my own kids interaction with the book, once they put it down, they forgot about it, and just weren’t motivated to pick it back up.

SYNOPSIS:

Mahmoud’s family has recently moved to Edmonton, and everyone is busy.  It is summer vacation and he is already bored. When he finds out his one friend is going away all summer, he devises a plan to force his family to come together. He finds a hotel near Banff, marks the calendar, and hopes for the best.  The family comes together, but the hotel has broken beds, toilets that don’t flush, roaches in the kitchen, and an elevator that they are told is out of order, but is still in use.  The family starts to turn on Mahmoud, but when he explains how everyone is too busy to spend together, they decide to make the best of the situation.  Weird noises and details that don’t add up, send Mahmoud exploring and ultimately make it a vacation to remember.

WHY I LIKE IT:

The story is sweet, and I am always a sucker for kids that solve problems. I hope that one day, self sufficiency in fictional characters will rub off on readers, but alas it hasn’t happened to mine yet.  The book is fine, the pieces are there, the writing is decent, it just needs a bolt of energy to make this a book that kids really would gravitate to and read over and over again.

FLAGS:

None: maybe a little anxiety and gross factors, and a kid books a hotel without permission.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

The book should be on shelves in libraries (I wish Ruqaya’s Bookshelf Books were in public libraries), but definitely in school libraries, classrooms, and homes. I don’t think it has enough to discuss in a book club setting as it is a simple linear story with only one plot line. SPOILER kids may need a bit of help understanding what a front is and what was being done with the animals, and why a hotel in Canada outside of a National Park all came together to make it an ideal criminal headquarters for such activities.

Apr12

Lulu in the Spotlight: A South Asian Wedding Story by Natasha Khan Kazi

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Lulu in the Spotlight: A South Asian Wedding Story by Natasha Khan Kazi

This adorable 40 page culture focused picture book explores a Desi tradition with layers of competition, frustration, mystery, problem solving, kindness, and joy woven in.  Lulu likes the groom and his family, but at her cousin Amirah’s wedding, the games are about to begin, and she has a plan to win the money for team bride, and prove she is old enough to share in the spotlight. Each of the traditional teasing games though find Lulu pushed aside, until the joota chupai, where the shoes go missing.  With Nani’s encouragement to stay true to herself, Lulu gets a chance to shine by doing it her way, and bringing the families together. There are a few visible hijabis in the illustrations of this Muslim author/illustrated book and the backmatter really makes the traditional references accessible to all readers.  As a Pakistani American, my children haven’t attended cultural weddings with all the traditions, fun, and games, and this book is already a favorite in discussing what this family does, where our families might do it a bit different, and how they can twist it to fit an upcoming wedding we have this summer.  The bright large pages, add to the text and illustrations truly conveying the excitement, emotions, and colors of South Asian weddings.  By focusing on one tradition, and not trying to include everything about the multiday affairs, the book stays on message and maintains an in the moment tone, keeping the readers engaged, well done.

The book opens at the mehndi ceremony of Lulu’s cousin, and while the dances are taking place, Lulu is scheming.  She knows the next day there will be chances to make some prize money from blocking the groom and stealing his shoes, and she is determined to capitalize. Normally it is just the bride’s side against the groom’s side, but Lulu has to battle her own cousins for a role in the games.  Tarek says she is too little.  Zara is clever at negotiating, and Farah is athletic and gets places fast.  In the past, Lulu hasn’t been included, but this time, this wedding, she is ready.

On the groom’s side it is Kamal, Sameer’s little brother that serves as Lulu’s biggest competition, and who trips her as she heads for the shoes. Frustration and sadness have damped the festivities for Lulu, yet she still is helpful and kind.  With the games wrapping up, a dejected Lulu finds solace in her grandmother’s lap.  When Nani shares why the shoe stealing tradition still is carried out, Lulu knows just what to do to find the spotlight her way.

 

 

Mar26

Abdullah’s Bear Needs a Name by Yasmin Hanif illustrated by Sophie Benmouyal

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Abdullah’s Bear Needs a Name by Yasmin Hanif illustrated by Sophie Benmouyal

I love the idea behind this 28 page book, and the illustrations are pretty great too, but I felt like the story needed a little more depth to convey meaningful emotion, appreciation, and connection.  It starts with an Eid gift, but there is nothing tying it to the holiday after the first spread.  And while it shows both Islam and Desi culture in action, I wanted to hear the stories of his family, and the connection to his culture that helps him name his bear.  I also feel like the premise was a little rocky, did everyone get family heirlooms for gifts? Did they get other gifts? Why was he gifted this special stuffed toy and not his older or younger siblings? Would a kid really be that excited to get a hand me down stuffed bear? Once you read the author’s intent, and the inspiration for the story, an adult could connect the dots and help a reader recognize the internalized othering being overcome, and discuss it, but I don’t know if all kids would not pick a cultural name for a toy, or see that Abdullah didn’t consider reflective names either.

The book starts with the reader dropped into an Eid day celebration.  Abdullah is handed a gift by his parents and when he unwraps it he finds himself the new owner of an old well-loved teddy bear.  His father was the previous owner, but refuses to tell Abdullah the bear’s name, urging him to discover it on his own.

Abdullah loves the bear, and takes it with him to the store, to school, to cricket, to madrasa Everywhere he goes he tries out names: old names at the museum, classmates names, but nothing seems to fit.  When his Abba tells him a story about his grandfather, he finally finds the perfect name for his bear.

I really like the details in the illustrations, they bring the story to life and feel authentic: the store names, the Eid spread, the activities.  I feel like this book is so close to being a standout, but I don’t know that kids who don’t find themselves exactly in Abdullah’s mindset, would be able to relate and connect to what transpires.  Unfortunately, it is unclear if he grows and learns from the experience, or if it was contained to this one incident.