Category: Reviews

Posted in Books, Reviews

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Posted on by Ariana Hussain

Mafi,Tahereh. This Woven Kingdom. Feb. 2022, 512 pp. HarperCollins, $19.99. (9780062972446). Grades 9 – 12

In the world of This Woven Kingdom, once powerful Jinn are living as second-class citizens to humans. 

Alizeh is a Jinn; alone in the world at a young age, she works laborious jobs for humans in order to survive. Because of the actions of Iblees, who eventually became Shaytan (the devil), her people are collectively demonized, even at a truce with human beings, their powers are reduced, and they are subject to constant exploitation and threats of violence. Alizeh is additionally set apart from her people by the ice runs in her blood and identifies her as part of a larger prophecy that could lead to the liberation of jinnkind or the destruction of mankind. She lives in hiding and constant fear of being killed or used. 

Heir to the kingdom of Ardunia, currently led by his grandfather, King Zaal, Kamran encounters Alizeh by chance. Immediately attracted to each other they grow close, but as plots are uncovered and more is revealed about Alizeh, their situation grows increasingly complicated and each must make irrevocable decisions.

Mafi’s prose is deliberately paced to build tension and intensity while building a rich fantasy world based on Islamic folklore and the Persian Shahnameh epic. Intended to be a multi volume series, Mafi skillfully builds the foundation for a tale that promises adventure, romance, and political intrigue. Alizeh is a formidable protagonist and readers will find themselves emotionally invested in her happiness.

The world of This Woven Kingdom is predicated on Islamic stories of jinn and the creation of humankind, with jinn having the same moral capability of humans to exercise free will and thought in which they choose to worship Allah. However, in many cultural contexts, jinn are associated with evil, and Mafi’s use and tying of the actions of Iblees and the properties of jinn and their abilities to the status of jinnkind is both intriguing and validating, moving this story beyond common tropes or retellings of western fairytales. Iblees moved into a villain role devoid of religious context still very much works for the story, while also having the reader examine and reflect on the irony of the lack of freewill the characters have at times, and the structures of power upon a subjugated people. Elements of Islam, Islamic practices, and culture (i.e. miswak used for oral hygiene) throughout the book are instantly recognizable to those familiar, though religion itself is never mentioned in the world. Instead, Mafi translates these religious concepts of Islam to a fantasy world setting impeccably and respectfully. This Woven Kingdom is an outstanding fantasy novel that feels fresh and swoonworthy, in a world accessible to any reader.

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Posted on by Nada Abdelrahim

Rachel Lynn Solomon. We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This, June 8, 2021. 336p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $19.99. (9781534440272). Grades 9-12.

We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon is an opposites attract romance set in the world of weddings and wedding planning with much needed conversations about mental illness.

Protagonist Quinn Berkowitz grew up watching her family (her parent’s and older sister) help create their clients’ dream weddings and happily ever afters, despite seeing her parents go through rough patches in their own relationship. Now eighteen and working part-time for their wedding planning company Borrowed & Blue, Quinn couldn’t be more cynical about love and marriage. Fear of upsetting the family dynamic keeps Quinn from being honest with her family about the expectation of her joining the family business after she graduates college. As Quinn starts to feel the suffocating pressure of the future, she finds an opportunity to do something she actually enjoys and must decide if she will follow her parents’ wishes or share her true feelings with them.

Quinn’s viewpoints on love do not stop her from falling for Tarek, the uber romantic son of the Mansours, wedding caterers that often work with Borrowed & Blue. Tarek’s romantic gestures seem fake and over the top to Quinn; while Tarek can’t understand how Quinn can be so cynical. Despite this friction their growing attraction is undeniable. Both protagonists are also diagnosed with different mental illnesses, Quinn with OCD and Tarek with depression. Solomon seamlessly weaves in Quinn’s OCD and her inability to stop this compulsive behavior–she repeatedly checks her bag for her keys or checks to make sure she locked her car. In one instance Quinn is mocked by a passerby as she engages in this behavior and her internal monologue is one of shame and embarrassment. Though Tarek appears to ghost Quinn after her confession of love, she finds later that this is due to his depression, and that his life is starting to unravel. Along with repairing their relationship Quinn learns to question her assumptions, give a person the benefit of the doubt, and to look outside herself rather than center her own experience and hardship.

It is not until further into the narrative that Tarek and his family’s religion is mentioned. Tarek speaks about being Muslim and the ways in which observance differs within his own family. For example, Tarek’s mother drinks alcohol while his father does not. This conversation between Tarek and Quinn feels natural; Tarek’s explanation provides a relatable example for young adult readers in discussing religion without judgment. After this moment, Tarek’s religion is not brought up again, and in general religion does not play a significant role in the story, either as a point of conflict or interest. Quinn’s religion (Judaism) is mentioned sporadically throughout the book. Though her family is not religiously observant, she notes her older sister becoming more religious as a result of being in a relationship, and Quinn reflects on how practicing religion can vary for each person. 

Realistically flawed, Quinn sometimes veers into self-destructive, immature behavior, and Solomon handles her growth deftly, making her relatable, sympathetic and real, leading readers to root for her, and ultimately find her own way. We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This is a solid read, and more than adequately addresses topics of mental illness and transitions into adulthood.

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: ParaNorthern: And the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse by Stephanie Cooke and Mari Costa

Posted on by Nada Abdelrahim

Cooke, Stephanie and Costa, Mari. ParaNorthern: And the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse, July 2021. 240pp. Etch/Clarion Books, $19.99. (9780358168997). Grades 3 – 7.

Stephanie Cooke’s ParaNorthern (illustrated by Mari Costa) is a humorous and heartfelt graphic novel fit for any age group. When young witch Abby Morgan accidentally opens a portal in the magical realm of North Haven unleashing a horde of chaos bunnies, her initial instinct is to keep the problem to herself. When she realizes that these destructive hares are too big of a job to take care of on her own she must look beyond her worries and accept the help of her family and friends.

With a consistent theme of adolescent independence and relying on others, Abby’s struggles can be relatable to many middle grade readers. Though first resistant to receive help, Abby’s friends–werewolf Gita, pumpkinhead Silas, and ghost Hannah–support her through her fears to help her find the confidence in her witch powers. Costa’s engaging illustrations and palette of fall-like hues of orange, purple, and red complement the dialogue and flow of the narrative. With no real introduction to the characters or setting, the novel reads like a second volume. Readers may find it necessary to read the first volume in order to have foundational knowledge of the world.

The characters of Paranorthern are quite diverse, ethnically and by paranormal standards. Many of the characters appear to have brown skin. Gita is a werewolf and presents as female, and there seems to be a mutual crush between her and Abby. Silas is a pumpkinhead boy trying to convince the other paranormal creatures to stop ingesting pumpkins. Hannah is an undead ghost from another dimension. In a realistic portrayal of the observance of hijab, Hannah wears a headscarf whenever she is outside her own home and does not wear it inside her house. However, though Hannah’s hijab is normalized in illustrations and not constantly called out, she is never explicitly named as Muslim. Throughout the book, Hannah mentions how she and her family are ghosts from another dimension, Hannah is seen chatting with her grandmother through the computer, and magically she needs a charm to be physically present in North Haven’s dimension. These elements hint that Hannah may be part of a diaspora community, living away from her home dimension. But though this parallels real life SWANA diaspora communities in North American or European countries, Hannah’s ethnicity is also never specified, though usage of language implies that they are Arab but terminology is incorrectly used.

With heartwarming, fun, and laugh-out-loud moments, Paranorthern celebrates the power of  friendship in a paranormal world. Readers will cheer for Abby and her friends as they work together to return the Chaos bunnies back to their realm.

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: We’re in This Together: A Young Readers Edition of We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders by Linda Sarsour

Posted on by Hadeal Salamah

Sarsour, Linda. We’re in This Together: A Young Readers Edition of We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders
Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Nov. 2022. 240. Tr $17.99. ISBN  9781534439290.

In this Young Readers’ edition of her 2020 memoir We Are Not Here To Be Bystanders, Linda Sarsour narrates and reflects upon the events that shaped her into the person and activist she is today. Outlined in chapters, Sarsour makes connections to her life experiences and her work with a multitude of communities that she is a part of and influenced by, her role as co-chair of the Women’s March on Washington and continuous fight for people’s rights.

Recalling her summer visits to Palestine, and her family’s village of El Bireh, she expresses a deep generational, sensory, and spiritual connection to its people, history, and land. Particularly rich are the depictions of tastes and smells, and the strong sense of memory, belonging, tradition, love, and loss. It is through this framing that she discusses her parents’ sacrifice as immigrants to America, and who herself as a Palestinian American, from a young age often had to assert the legitimacy and existence of her people. Often perceived as Latinx or Italian, this racial ambiguity often led Sarsour to feel “almost invisible.” 

As a student at John Jay High School in Brooklyn, Sarsour first makes the connection between the Occupation in Palestine and similar over-policing excessive force experienced by her Black and Brown peers. “For all my life up to that point, I had trusted the police, but the more I discussed the situation with my Black and Brown classmates, I learned that most feared the police and had experienced injustice at the hands of the cops”(69). Though a young Linda sees elements like padlocked and bars on windows at John Jay, she admits that she did not learn that this was not the case in high-performing, white, or suburban schools until she was an adult. 

It is after 9/11 that Sarsour witnesses the surveillance of the Muslim community, and becomes an advocate for social services with the Arab American Association of New York, in the footsteps of her mentor Basemah Atweh, and whose passing shaped Sarsour’s broader community organizing, activism, and collaborating with other organizations advocating for change, particularly for communities of color. 

Linda’s memoir is easy to understand, accessible and full of emotions—loss, joy, belonging, change. Sarsour shares many powerful memories of coming into her multifaceted identity. One such moment is when she chose to wear the hijab—”Finally, I appeared to the world exactly how I felt on the inside: generous, courageous, humble, compassionate. Unapologetically Muslim.” Sarsour weaves in information about notable activists and civil rights leaders, and through her own experiences, addresses and guides readers through shaping their own activism and processing trauma, grief, and healing. Backmatter includes a glossary of Arabic terms and endnotes. 

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan

Posted on by Nada Abdelrahim

Khan, Sabina. Zara Hossain is Here. Scholastic Inc. Apr. 2021. 256p. Tr. $19.95. ISBN 9781773214900. Grades 7-12.

Zara Hossain is Here by Sabina Khan tells the story of Zara, a queer Muslim Pakistani high schooler as she navigates family, love, and racism in Corpus Christi, Texas. Having been in the United States since she was three years old, Zara and her family are comfortable and integrated in their community. However, their lack of green card status keeps her from feeling truly secure. And when Zara speaks out against racism and harassment at the hands of a classmate Tyler, she must deal with the fallout, which quickly escalates to violence against her family. 

Themes and issues explored in the book are important to the overall YA canon, specifically in relation to complex and diverse Muslim representation and all of its intersections–violence against the Muslim community, queerness, inadequacies of the immigration system, and the plethora of other intersecting issues and identities– with varying levels of success. In terms of Muslim representation Zara’s  family practices Islam “culturally,” as examples, not fasting during Ramadan nor observing the five daily prayers. Zara’s parents are understanding and supportive of her bisexual identity and relationship. She experiences backlash from their Pakistani community and her girlfriend Chloe’s Christian family. Phrases in Urdu and Arabic and used throughout the book and the larger cast of characters is equally diverse.

Unfortunately the novel suffers in pacing events and clunky writing, with character development feeling stunted, and lacking emotion and feeling that fails to connect the reader to Zara’s story. Zara’s shifting of thoughts on life impacting decisions, such as moving back to Pakistan, feels flat and not overly contemplative. Zara’s relationship with Chloe feels abrupt in its beginnings and the quick intensity of their feelings comes across as inauthentic. These intense events occur within the first hundred pages, are dragged out in the remainder of the novel, and are too neatly resolved to be believable. Overall a disappointing read that checks the boxes without any real singular impact.

 

 

Posted in Blog Posts, Books, Reviews

Favorite Books of 2021

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

This list represents some of our favorite Children’s and Young Adult books that we read and were published in 2021. As with our previous lists, these choices are based on their thoughtful and nuanced treatment of Muslims and Islam, and the intersections of identity. We are pleased to see the steady growth of books by Muslim authors and with Muslim protagonists being published by mainstream publishers, and considered over 100 titles, children’s, young adult, and adult titles with YA appeal when creating this list. This year, graphic novels are in their age associated categories. A PDF version of our list will be available soon.

Again, we have not included fantasy and sci-fi titles by Muslim authors whose worlds and characters do not reflect explicit Muslim identity in this list. As stated on our release calendar there is power in speculative fiction/fantasy/scifi world building in exploring issues related to the real world and adding to the canon. We are highlighting these works on the calendar and plan to add a future, separate list with many of these excellent and thought-provoking titles.

What were your favorites of 2021?

Picture Books 

Fiction

Amira’s Picture Day. Reem Faruqi, Illus. Fahmida Azim. 2021. 40p. Holiday House, $17.99. (9780823440191). PreS-Gr. 3. Link to review by Ariana.

Beautifully Me. Nabela Noor, illus. by Nabi H. Ali. 2021. 40p. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99. 9781534485877. PreS-Gr. 2.

Bangladeshi Muslim Zubi Chowdhury is an absolute sweetheart of a girl – bold, friendly, and full of life. While preparing for her first day of school, Zubi witnesses her family and friends make comments about how they are either ‘fat’ or ‘going on a diet,’ and having her to question why, and ultimately making her feel that she may need to do the same. When Zubi announces her intention to go on a diet too, her family reflects on the effect of their words, and how “we can be mean to ourselves without even realizing it,” resulting in an important conversation about the toxicity of negative self-talk, body acceptance and strength, and acceptance of oneself. Visual and textual references are made to Islamic practice and Bangladeshi culture, with Zubi’s mother wearing a hijab and putting on a sari, Zubi’s bangles, and food like laddoos and parathas mentioned on many of the pages. Zu    bi’s school is a diverse, multiracial community, and one child, wearing a dress, uses they/them pronouns. Backmatter includes a glossary and a photo of the author. This simple story tackles body image, body confidence, and self-acceptance, and can be used as a model to have conversations about body image with young children. Pair this with Laxmi’s Mooch for conversations about body acceptance and a broader representation of South Asian countries and cultures.

Fatima’s Great Outdoors. Ambreen Tariq, illus. by Stevie Lewis. 2021. 40p. Kokila (PYR/PRH), $17.99. (9781984816955). Gr. K-3. Link to reviews/discussion by Ariana, Noureen and Amna.

Halal Hot Dogs. Susannah Aziz, illus. by Parwinder Singh. 2021. 40p. Little Bee Books, $17.99. (9781499811575). Gr 2-4. Link to review by Mahasin.

 

Hannah and the Ramadan Gift. Qasim Rashid, illus. by Aaliya Jaleel. 2021. 40p. Viking Books for Young Readers (PRH), $17.99. (9780593114667). PreS-Gr. 2. Link to review by Ariana.

I Went for Hajj. Na’ima B. Robert, illus. by Paula Pang. 2021. 32p. The Islamic Foundation, $11.95. (9780860377528). PreS-Gr. 2. 

This charming book, told in the rhyming style of Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? By Bill Martin, Jr., describes the Hajj journey through the eyes of a young child. While some rhymes are more successful than others, the scheme helps to break down important parts of Hajj as easy to understand actions. The foreword includes an author’s note explaining the use of rhyming text to appeal to children, but emphasizes that it is not prescriptive for the performance of the rituals of Hajj. There are, however, points of discussion to breakdown points and rituals of Hajj to readers. End papers include a glossary of terms. Illustrations feature female and male hajjis/hajjahs (pilgrims) dressed in white, in various skin tones, and some papers include illustrations of pilgrims in wheelchairs. On the spread that features the kaaba, building at the center of the Masjid al-Haram, readers will appreciate the detail of the gold-colored foil used for the kiswah, the black brocade cloth that adorns the building. Illustrations are done in a retro, simple style, but reflect the contemporary backdrop of Makkah.

In My Mosque. M. O. Yuksel. illus. by Hatem Aly. 2021. 40p. Harper (Harpercollins), $17.99. (9780062978707). Pre-S-Gr. 3. Link to review by Noureen.

Little Seeds of Promise. Sana Rafi, illus. by Renia Metallinou. 2021. 48p. The Innovation Press, $15.99. (ISBN‎ 9781943147939). Grades K-3. Link to reviews by Amna and Noureen.

Room for Everyone. Naaz Khan, illus. by Mercè López. 2021. 40p. Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon & Schuster). (9781534431393). PreS-Gr. 3. 

This joyous, vibrant counting book follows Musa and his Dada (older sister) as they head to Nungwi beach on the daladala, a minibus common in Tanzania. Along the way they stop for a plethora of passengers and their wares. While Musa complains that there can’t possibly be room for them all, Dada insists that they can make room for everyone. Unlike other counting tales where space capacity might lead to bursting, there is room indeed for everyone as they joyfully and inclusively make space for all with wiggles and giggles galore. And even Musa is convinced—Alhamdulillah—that the whole motley crew will make it to the beach together. The backmatter includes a brief glossary of terms and an author’s note.  Illustrations by Mercè López are rich in color, pattern, and texture, and readers familiar with Unguja (Zanzibar island) may recognize architectural elements of Stone Town including the minaret of the Malindi mosque on the cover. In Betsy Bird’s interview with Naaz Khan, the author discussed her travels in Zanzibar, cultural consultation, and why it was important to have different shades of dark brown skin in representing Zanzibaris, and widening representation of Muslims in children’s literature.  

A Sky-Blue Bench. Bahram Rahman, illus. by Peggy Collins. 2021. 32p. Pajama Press, $18.95. 9781772782226. PreS-Gr. 2. 

After losing her leg in an accident, Aria is finally returning to school, but finds that sitting on the floor all day with her prosthetic “helper-leg” is painful. With all the wooden furniture in the school used as fuel to keep houses warm during the war, Aria comes up with the idea to build a bench with discarded materials. Her classmates doubt she can do it, but Aria is determined to do “anything a boy can do” and barters a loaf of sweet bread with Kaka Najar, a carpenter, for instruction and use of his tools. Kaka Najar gifts her a can of blue paint to use for her project, sky-blue signifying courage, peace, and wisdom. Illustrations are beautifully vibrant and colorful, particularly in the markets of the Old City, and residents are dressed in a variety of styles, skin tones in various shades of brown, and facial expressions. Aria’s actions not only inspire her classmates, she passes on her knowledge, skills, and hope to them and to her brother, knowing that they can “build everything we need together.” End papers show Aria putting on her new red shoes on while the back end papers show Aria and her classmates planning and collecting materials together to improve their classroom. Though there is no specific time period specified in the text of the story, the author’s note indicates that elements of the story reflect his own experiences growing up Afghanistan in the early 90s and the need to use wooden furniture as firewood and teaching children to be able to identify land mines, particularly “butterfly mines” that had a reputation for being attractive to children. A Sky-Blue Bench was a 2022 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book Winner.

Nonfiction 

My Name Is Bana. Bana Alabed, illus. by Nez Riaz. 2021. 40p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $17.99. (9781534412484). PreS-Gr.3.  

Written by Syrian child refugee and activist, Bana Alabed, this book opens with a young Bana asking her mother, depicted wearing a light green hijab, why she gave her the name “Bana.” Her mother tells her that she is named after a tree that grows in Syria and like the tree, Bana’s parents hoped that she would be “qawia,” strong. Following up by asking what it means to be strong, Bana’s mother explains different elements of strength, including the most important, “amal,” hope. One of the spreads, shows Bana on a computer while her mother stands behind her, referring to Bana’s initial use of Twitter to bring increased awareness to the Syrian Civil War and the siege of Aleppo. Bana reflects on how she embodied strength during the war while in Syria, in moving to a new place, and in using her voice to speak up for children’s rights. Illustrations are simple and sensitive in their depiction of war, showing the mother and children turning away from a red-tinged sky with texts addressing bombing. An afterword from the author assures child readers that she is safe now, living in Turkey with her family and concludes that while she’s encouraging children around the world living in war zones to be strong, her message to adults is that “kids shouldn’t have to always be so strong. Every child deserves to live in peace.” 

Early Readers

Yasmin series. (Yasmin the Librarian, Recycler, Singer, Scientist). Saadia Faruqi. Illus. by Hatem Aly. 2021. 32p. Picture Window Books (Capstone), $5.95 (Paperback: 9781515883722, 9781515883746, 9781515883753, 9781515883739). K-Gr.3. Fountas & Pinnell Level K.

The newest additions to the series feature Pakistani American second-grader Yasmin helping in the library, encouraging her classmates to recycle, shyly singing in secret at a wedding party, and coming up with a project for the science fair. Yasmin’s interactions with her multi-generational Pakistani American family are endearing and her everyday adventures recognize child agency and actions. Faruqi’s sprinkling of Urdu words and Aly’s beautiful and bold illustrations convey cultural details and insights into Yasmin’s world. Some titles are available in Spanish and French. 

Sadiq series (Sadiq and the Big Election, Gamers). Siman Nuurali, illus by. Christos Skaltsas. 2021. 64p. Picture Window Books (Capstone), $6.95. (9781663921901, 9781663921918). K-Gr. 3. Fountas & Pinnell Level M.

These followup voliumes about Somali American Muslim third-grader Sadiq continue to show the importance and value in involvement in community service and relationships. Each volume contains information around Somali culture, a glossary of words in Somali as well as terms that pertain to each story, and a reader/educator guide to asking questions about the story and related activities. In Sadiq and the Big Election, a class election for president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary has Sadiq coming up with big ideas to improve things in his school, but what will happen when one of his best friend’s announces that he’s running for the same position? In Sadiq and the Gamers, his gaming club is hosting a competition and trying to find a way to also serve the community. Could their gaming possibly engage the seniors in the local retirement community? Sadiq and his friends come up with ways to solve problems and make their community better than ever.

Middle Grade

Fiction

Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year. Nina Hamza. 2021. 320p. Quill Tree (HarperCollins), $16.99. (9780063024892). Gr 3-7. Link to review by Mahasin.

Amina’s Song. Hena Khan. 2021. 288p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $17.99. (9781534459885). Gr. 3-7. Fountas & Pinnell Level U. Amina’s Song was the 2022 Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature.

In this sequel to the well-received Amina’s Voice (2017), Pakistani-Muslim American Amina has traveled to Pakistan to visit her extended family. She returns home to the U.S. excited to teach her friends about the beauty of the country and its people. A school project promises that opportunity, but Amina finds that her task is more difficult than she anticipated, as she must confront her classmates’ biases. A realistic narrative about identity formation and friendships in middle school.

Ms. Marvel: Stretched Thin. Nadia Shammas, illus. by Nabi H. Ali. 2021. 128p. Graphix (Scholastic), $12.99. 9781338722581. Gr. 3-7.

This graphic novel iteration of Ms. Marvel, written by Nadia Shammas and ably illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, opens with Kamala Khan firmly established as Ms. Marvel. In fact she is so established as a superhero and next-gen member of the Avengers (alongside Spiderman/Miles Morales, Squirrel Girl/Doreen Green, and mentor Iron Man/Tony Stark), a website moderator, fanfic writer, and babysitter that she finds herself stretched a bit thin, sometimes literally. In keeping her superhero identity and powers a secret from her family, Kamala’s relationship with them is a bit strained, and she appears to be neglecting them, her home life, and her Qur’an classes at the mosque. But even though her best friends white, Bruno and Turkish American, Nakia, know her secret, they also feel that Kamala is ignoring them and clearly needs help managing all her tasks. Everything comes to a head when a robot tries to take over Avengers Tower and Kamala must sort out her issues in order to fix this…and everything else. Though some more dedicated readers may feel like plot points are a little too on the nose (the villain will be obvious to all), this is clearly aimed towards younger readers, and works towards focusing on Ms. Marvel’s relationships and her consistent humor. Easter eggs abound, with a nod to Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and his role in the upcoming Ms. Marvel television series

Planet Omar: Incredible Rescue Mission. Zanib Mian, illus. by Nasaya Mafaridik. 2021. 256p. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (PRH), $13.99. (9780593109274). Gr. 2-5.

Omar’s teacher has been abducted by aliens! Or at least that’s what Omar believes happened. What else could possibly explain why their wonderful Mrs. Hutchinson has suddenly been replaced by the awful Mrs. Crankshaw and why all the teachers won’t explain where she went? Though his best friends Charlie and Daniel don’t quite believe the alien theory, their attempts to find any clues lead nowhere. And with Omar’s family off to Pakistan for a wedding, their rescue plans are stalled. Where in the world could Mrs. Hutchinson be? A great addition to the Planet Omar series, this third volume is equally full of humor and heart and infused with Islamic terms and values.

Unsettled. Reem Faruqi. 2021. 352p. HarperCollins, $16.99 (9780063044708). Gr 4–6. Link to review by Mahasin.

World in Between. Kenan Trebinčević and Susan Shapiro. 2021. 384p. Clarion Books (HMH), $16.99. (9780358440932). Gr. 5-8.

Based on Trebinčević’s own life as a Bosnian refugee, this story details three years of young Kenan’s life,  as an 11-year-old at the start of the Bosnian war and the breakup of the Yugoslav Federation. Though many Bosniaks are fleeing to other parts of Europe, Kenan cannot believe that his best friends would treat him any differently because his family is Muslim, especially when he sees his family as not being particularly religious. His father equally believes that because he is well-liked, respected, and keeps out of politics, that they will not be targeted. When it becomes evident that not only have their former friends turned on them, including Kenan’s teacher, the family also realizes that they may have waited too long to flee. Kenan and his family face food deprivation, threats of violence and death, and constant fear for their lives as they struggle to survive and possibly flee. Somewhat miraculously, they are able to flee to Austria, even with Kenan’s brother and father being taken to a concentration camp at one point where other Muslim men have faced death. Kenan’s uncle Ahmet even remarks at one point that they are the luckiest Bosnian Muslim family having not lost any of their relatives. Through the narrative the reader sees psychological and emotional costs of war as they are betrayed by former friends and neighbors and Kenan is often skeptical of who to trust, if friendship is real or lasting. And even when they make their escape they never feel safe or settled, relocated several times in Austria and then again to the United States where, like many refugees, they are treated at times with compassion but also as unwanted, degraded guests. But despite the trauma and palpable, authentic anger, Kenan learns that there is good and bad amongst all people and that despite all of the loss he is grateful that he and his family can be together. Though the narrative sometimes falters in pacing and some concepts and historical events may need more context for younger readers, it is overall a poignant and important story. Text also alludes to violence and sexual assault, but is never overly explicit, and is well-suited for upper middle grade readers.

​​Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero. Saadia Faruqi. 2021. 368p. Quill Tree (HarperCollins), $16.99. (9780062943255). Gr 3-7. Link to review by Mahasin.

 

 

Nonfiction

Accused: My Story of Injustice (I, Witness, 1). Adama Bah. 2021. 112p. Norton Young Readers (W.W. Norton), $16.95. (9781324016632). Gr. 4-7. 

New Yorker and Guinea American Adama Bah was a typical teenager when the September 11th terrorist attacks were carried out. Soon afterwards, however, her life changed forever when she and her father were falsely accused of terrorism and plans to become suicide bombers. Subsequently separated from her family and detained, she learns that she is not an American citizen, her father is deported, and she must work to support her large family in the U.S. and in Guinea. This well-paced narrative offers an informative and terrifying look at what it was like for many Muslims in the days and years following 9/11 and offers much needed representation about Muslims of African heritage.

Young Adult     

Fiction

The Awakening of Malcolm X. Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson. 2021. 336p. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Macmillan), $17.99. (9780374313296). Gr. 7-12. Link to review by Nada.

Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating. Adiba Jaigirdar. 2021. 352p. Page Street Kids, $17.99. (9781645672579). Gr. 9-12.

Bangladeshi Irish and Muslim Hani, has just come out to her two best friends Aisling and Dee as being bisexual, but they don’t believe that she can know for certain since she has never even kissed a girl. Bengali and Indian Irish (as well as atheist and closeted) Ishu is studious and serious, always wanting to please her parents, who only have eyes for their golden child, Ishu’s older sister Nik. But Nik has recently fallen from grace, having left university to get married, and Ishu’s parents are more on her than ever to succeed. When Hani proposes to Ishu that they should fake date Ishu, who normally would hate being pigeonholed into being THE two queer brown girls dating, agrees since Hani’s popularity could help Ishu become Head Girl and convince her parents that Ishu is not like her sister. Jaigirdar navigates the fake dating trope with aplomb, bringing in multitudes of layers of identity, racism, homophobia and bierasure, with a delightful amount of romance and angst. Hani is out to her parents who are accepting of her sexuality. Hani also attends mosque, prays, reads Qur’an and does not drink alcohol, and faces disdain and confusion from her friends who signal that she doesn’t seem like “one of those” Muslims (since she does not wear hijab) and further solidifies their continuous aggressions against her sexual identity.

Home Is Not a Country. Safia Elhillo. 2021. 224p. Make Me a World (PRH/RHCB), $17.99. (9780593177051). Gr. 8-12. Link to review by Nada. Home is Not a Country was a 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Award Author Honor Winner.

Huda F Are You? Huda Fahmy. 2021. 192p. Dial Books (PRH), $14.99. (9780593324318). Gr. 7-17.

Huda Fahmy’s fictionalized graphic memoir follows a high school-aged Huda who has moved with her family from a place where she was the only hijabi in her class to Dearborn, Michigan with a significantly higher Muslim and Arab population. Huda struggles to find her place in the high school hierarchy and realizes that not only has she made hijab her personality (harder to do when surrounded by other hijabis and cliques of hijabis), but that she has made herself small in order to be pleasing to others. Her humor, while witty, is often self-deprecating and her internalized self-loathing causes further harm to herself and the ones that she loves. Fahmy made the deliberate choice to place her high school story in the present day with references to contemporary social media tools, but adult readers will see familiar references to discrimination and targeting of the Muslim communities in the immediate years following 9/11. Fahmy’s humorous, laugh-out-loud work continues to entertain, educate, and resonate with all readers and is also an important work of self-reflection for Muslim readers.

Listen, Layla. Yassmin Abdel-Magied. 2021. 288p. Penguin Australia, $15.99. (9781760896065). Gr 7 and up. Link to review by Mahasin.

Misfit in Love. S.K. Ali. 2021. 320p. Salaam Reads (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), $19.99. (9781534442757). Grades 9-12. Link to Review by Nada.

Perfectly Parvin. Olivia Abtahi. 2021. 320p. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (PRH), $17.99. (9780593109427). Gr. 7-12. 

Fun-loving prankster Parvin Mohammadi is elated to start high school with her new boyfriend, Wesley, only to have him dump her at freshman orientation for being “loud” and “too much.” Wallowing in romance movies, Parvin comes to the (false) realization that demure girls get the guy and plans to show up Wesley by getting bisexual sophomore Matty Fumero to be her Homecoming date. Parvin’s attempt to 180 her personality and style has best friends pansexual, Korean American Ruth and gay, Mexican American Fabian doubtful and disapproving. Parvin’s aunt Sara, who is viewing it all via Skype from Iran while waiting on her U.S. visa to arrive, also urges Parvin to be herself. Compounding this self-doubt is Parvin’s internalized identity struggle and how much this affects her perception of beauty and romance. Despite their obvious affection, she is not able to glean much from her Iranian Shi’a father, does not look much like her white Episcopalian mother or any of the beautiful women in the media, nor does she feel Iranian enough to fit in with the other Iranians Americans, even as it becomes obvious that one of her classmates from Farsi school may want to be more than friends. But when her schemes and internalization lead her to ditch her friends when they need her most and her aunt Sara’s plan to visit is threatened by the Muslim ban, Parvin must decide what is most important to her and what kind of person she truly is. Even in her most self-deprecating moments, Parvin is funny, witty, and lovable. And while some elements of representation might give readers pause, it is all in the cause of learning acceptance. A truly enjoyable read.

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab. Priya Huq. 2021. 224p. Abrams, $22.99. (9781419740169). Gr. 7 and up. Link to Review by Mahasin.

 

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin's Hijab (Ebook) | ABRAMSThis review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab
by Priya Huq
Abrams. Nov. 2021. 224p. Tr $22.99. ISBN 9781419740169.

Gr 7 Up—In Portland, OR, in 2002, eighth grader Nisrin Moniruzzaman is proud to share her Bangladeshi heritage and cultural dress with her school community during a celebration of world cultures. But on her way home from school with a friend who is Black and Iranian, the girls suffer a violent racist attack, and Nisrin’s orna, a shawl-like scarf, is ripped from her head. In the following months, both girls struggle to heal. After visiting the home of a young cousin who wears a hijab, Nisrin decides to start wearing the headscarf as she begins high school. Her choice challenges her mother and her maternal grandparents, with whom she lives, and makes her a target for Islamophobia at school; it also serves as a catalyst for her to learn more about Islam and her family’s feelings about the religion, their experiences in Bangladesh, and the country’s tumultuous history, including Bangladesh’s relationship with Pakistan (although readers will need to look elsewhere for a nuanced account of conflict in the region). Vivid illustrations capture the characters’ raw feelings and move the narrative along quickly, making it feel slightly rushed at times. “A Guide to Bangladesh” written from the perspective of Nisrin at the end of the novel includes a map of the region and provides additional insight about the country, its people, and the author’s family.

VERDICT A solid addition to collections of all types and a welcome exploration of what it means to navigate the complexities of Muslim identity in the United States.

Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland Public Library, CA

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Misfit in Love by S.K. Ali

Posted on by Nada Abdelrahim

S.K. Ali. Misfit in Love, May. 2021. 320p. Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $19.99. (9781534442757). Grades 9-12.

Misfit in Love, the sequel to S.K. Ali’s debut YA novel Saints and Misfits, is heartwarmingly funny, poignant and thoughtful, and contains a surprise or two. Returning to Egyptian and Indian American Janna’s story, this time for the wedding of her older brother, readers find Janna healing from the trauma she experienced in the last book and  ready for romance and new beginnings. But of course things don’t go as she expects, and when she finds out that her father doesn’t approve of her love interest, Nuah, she is shaken.

Told through the events and cultural festivities surrounding a supposedly joyous wedding occasion, Ali brings to the forefront the prominent and often sidelined racial and cultural hegemony and supremacy found in the Muslim community and beyond. The revelations and lessons that occur for Janna, her family, and friends creates a dynamic that has new or returning readers questioning these dynamics in their own spaces in a way that is authentic and palpable.  Throughout the story there are a number of instances in which Janna observes the characters around her create conflict, express disdain, or act negatively in regards to race or cultural identity. We see this with the older Arab auntie who expresses her distaste at the amount of South Asian elements during the wedding weekend. Or the way Janna’s father, a South Asian, recalls his experiencing racism from Janna’s Arab maternal family when he was in a relationship with her mother. Ali uses that narrative to show the hierarchical nature of hegemony, and how despite being on the receiving end of racism at one point, when Janna’s father realizes her budding feelings for long time friend Nuah, a Black Muslim, his initial reaction is racist and classist. 

Janna calls out her father for his ignorance over multiple instances, and Ali creates a realistic portrayal of Janna’s reactions, internal conflict, and subsequent growth. There is also a distinct call to action that allows Janna and her family to move past performative allyship⁠— at one point Janna refers to her father’s copy of The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley, to tangible change. 

Overall, these topics fit pretty well into the novel’s story without being too jarring or cliche. The author makes an important note in her acknowledgement at the end of the novel, expressing how she wants to remain considerate of the Black character’s–Nuah and Khadija–perspectives,  and that she does not speak in their voices. Ali names MuslimARC as a vital resource in helping her write these characters respectfully in her novel and urges the Muslim community and the non-Black Muslim community in particular to embrace anti-racist principles as Islamic principles, and to question cultural supremacy and hegemony, its prevalence and how it manifests within the Muslim community.

Love and relationships in many stages are discussed at length in this novel, and Ali successfully presents diverse romantic relationships in the Muslim community. For instance, there is the young uncertain love that Janna experiences, the marriage of her older brother, the budding romance of Janna’s mother, and more. These scenarios are natural to the story and also provide different ways love and relationships come to develop without judgment or comparison. Each relationship is valid and unique. As Janna navigates her uncertain relationship and feelings, she confides in different friends and family members, who provide her a safe space to express her emotions. These positive representations of both female and male Muslim characters supporting Janna in her journey to understanding herself provide a much needed alternative to the strict and angry Muslim stereotypes that permeate mainstream pop culture. With the backdrop of this story being Janna’s older brother’s marriage, Ali gets the chance to present a very important cultural milestone in a non-exoticized or misrepresentative light. Readers unfamiliar with Muslim marriage practices can learn about some customs, while other readers that belong to these communities have a YA novel that they can feel connected to.

Janna’s experience with assault in the previous book is mentioned briefly and the reader learns that Janna sought the help of professionals to work through and heal from the trauma. Mental health is a pretty taboo topic amongst many cultures in the Muslim community, so Ali creates a stigma free association for the characters in the book, making sure to address Janna’s past trauma and the healing she needed to go through to find herself at a better place. 

Ali’s characters are nuanced and authentic, the protagonist Janna especially is complex and interesting, as a Muslim teen her religion, relationship conflicts, and personality convey a seamless narrative that avoids didacticism. Small details like Janna nonchalantly talking about her scarf and her style, the female only party thrown for her sister-in-law, and inclusion of prayer give the story depth and reflections of Muslim life in a really natural way. At the same time, Misfit in Love will satisfy any YA reader looking for a realistic romantic comedy, while touching upon greater societal issues of race that all readers need to examine in all the spaces they are in.

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Review: Little Seeds of Promise by Sana Rafi

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

In preparation for an author interview with Sana Rafi, both Noureen and Amna read and reviewed Little Seeds of Promise. The following are their takes on this lovely picture book.

Review: Little Seeds of Promise

Rafi, Sana. Little Seeds of Promise. Illus. by Renia Metallinou. 2021. 48p. The Innovation Press, $15.99. (ISBN‎ 9781943147939). Grades K-3.

Amna’s Review

In this memorable and beautifully illustrated title by Sana Rafi, we see how Maya, the main character adjusts to life as an immigrant. The transition to a new country and the challenges of meeting people, is illustrated by her constant awareness that she is now ‘here,’ as opposed to ‘there,’ where she had a strong sense of security. She misses her grandmother, Nani, and the feeling of being connected, loved and safe. Her Nani gives her seeds before she leaves, and tells her to “bloom where you are planted,” which is something very unusual to Maya, who feels that her new ground in ‘here’ is as cold and unfriendly as the people in her school.

Although never specifically stated, she seems to be Muslim as there are mentions of the call to prayer, the Adhaan, the greeting of Salaam, and praying in the flowers. She also seems to have moved to a multiracial and multiethnic country as seen in the diversity of the other children in her class that have different shades of hair and skin.

The illustrations are especially stunning and the colour palette of blues and pinks rotating between each page really help to tie all the elements of the story together. The contrast between the two countries is even more evident in the vibrant colours shown in Maya’s home country as opposed to the greys and blacks in Maya’s new home. Even Maya’s wardrobe, once so colourful, is now just a sea of gray and blue. We relate even more with Maya as she fondly remembers her grandmother’s wise words of letting herself stretch, grow, and accept some kindness. The message, of learning to accept oneself and accepting others, is an important one and is well explained in this story. It may work best for ages 4-8, as a shared story or even as a read-aloud.

Noureen’s Review

New immigrant Maya, struggles to adapt to a new place and make new friends at school in this sweet intergenerational and universally relatable story. Simple, yet powerful text, and beautiful illustrations have readers empathize with Maya’s sadness from the very first page. The world around her feels cold, unfriendly, and lonely. At the heart of the story is the bond between Maya and her Nani (maternal grandmother). When Maya left her country of origin, her grandma gave her special seeds, and advice to “bloom where you are planted.” The seeds are analogous for new life, growth, and embracing change. Ultimately, they remind Maya that with warmth, care, and patience, new life will sprout even from hard and stubborn soil. The memories of her Nani helps her stay patient and let go of what is holding her back from blooming in her own way. 

The seed analogy is possibly an overreach for very young readers (the targeted age is listed as 3-7) and may be better understood conceptually with elementary students or require an adult to more fully explain how successfully planting seeds in hard soil is analogous to coming out one’s comfort zone and opening up to new experiences.

The book is rich with cultural and religious references, such as waking up to the adhan (call to prayer), people greeting each other by saying “As-salaam-Alaikum,” praying among flowers, playing in the monsoon rain, and the inclusion of a night watchman.

This reference brought back fond memories from my own childhood, when the night watchman on our street would call out with an assuring voice, “Jagtaay Raho” (stay alert), and we could sleep peacefully knowing he would stand sentry through the night. These cultural references offer the opportunity for readers, particularly South Asian readers of the current generation, to learn and connect with parents and grandparents about these cultural references, some evergreen and others, like night watchmen that are relics of the past. 

Another tie, both universal and culturally specific, are the memories of grandparents. Maya’s sweet Nani, with “a thousand wrinkles on her face” always smells like jasmine flowers. The jasmine is the national flower of Pakistan, and many households have a jasmine plant. Often worn as an adornment by married women in older generations and special occasions, like weddings, it so naturally fits in with the depiction of Maya’s grandmother and the nostalgia of the story’s setting.

The illustrations are intricate and detailed, further enriching the story, and patterns on the clothing, colors, and jewelry are a beautiful representation of elements commonly seen across South Asia. Additionally, the depiction of Maya without hijab is refreshing. Despite hijab being a religious marker that is most associated with adult women and Muslim girls that are post-pubescent, it is often shown in children’s literature on pre-pubescent girls as a way to emphasize the ethnicity, religion, or develop the story line when it is not always in a religious setting or age appropriate.

Verdict: Filled with hope and tenderness, this book will resonate with immigrant children and children facing transitions of any kind, and create opportunities for connection and empathy. It gently encourages and ensures readers that adjustments and acclimation to new environments comes with time, patience, and loving support.   

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Listen, Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied

Posted on by Mahasin Abuwi Aleem

This review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Listen, Layla
by Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Penguin Australia. Nov. 2021. 288p. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781760896065.

 Gr 8 Up–Layla, a 14-year-old Sudanese Australian, has just finished Year 8 of school and has exciting summer plans, primarily preparing for an international design competition and working toward becoming a world-class inventor. Those plans are abruptly upended, however, when her grandmother becomes ill and her family must travel to Sudan. Afraid to lose her spot on the school’s championship design team, Layla secretly attempts to balance family and team obligations, all the while reconciling the Sudan of her imagination with its realities and questions about her own identity: Is she Sudanese or Australian? Can she be both? When the Sudanese people take to the streets demanding change, Layla is determined not to be left behind, even if it goes against her parents’ wishes. She learns that she must draw strength from the regal legacy of her ancestors and listen to the impulses of her heart and the wisdom of her elders. Arabic phrases, Islamic references, and Australian slang contribute to the authenticity of the well-paced narrative. Shining a light on Sudan’s oft-forgotten history and the current challenges facing the nation, this novel will resonate with those working to make sense of multiple identities. Dialogue about gender roles between Layla and her grandmother, as well with friends and family, offers fodder for discussions about gendered expectations for women across the world. A glossary of Arabic terms helps to make the work accessible.

VERDICT Featuring a smart, African, Black, and Muslim protagonist, and a host of interesting and complex characters, this work is recommended for library collections.
Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland P.L., CA , Oct 01, 2021