Category: Reviews

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
Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

Posted on by Mahasin Abuwi Aleem

This review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero
by Saadia Faruqi
HarperCollins/Quill Tree. Sept. 2021. 368p. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062943255.

 Gr 5 Up–Twenty years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, 11-year-old sixth grader and robotics enthusiast Yusuf Azeem lives with his Pakistani American family in a small Texas town. His father is an immigrant businessman-turned-hometown-hero, his Texas-born mother is a freelance journalist, and he has a doting three-year-old younger sister. The close-knit Muslim community in the town, including the Azeems, attend local activities such as youth football games and parades alongside their non-Muslim neighbors, partially in an effort to fit in. However, changes are afoot in their town: hateful graffiti is sprawled on buildings; a white nationalist group takes root and challenges the Muslim community’s long-standing plans to build a mosque; and school bullying of Muslim students, including Yusuf, occurs daily. These events make it clear to the Muslims of Frey, TX, that they may never be truly embraced for who they are, throwing into question the personal and communal sacrifices that they have made, and forcing Yusuf to forge his own path in the pursuit of justice. Relatable and multidimensional characters of various ages and backgrounds are portrayed with nuance and empathy. Journal entries written by Yusuf’s Uncle Rahman from his own childhood at the time of the attacks offer additional insight into the impact of 9/11. The young characters’ struggles to balance personal commitments to their faith with parental expectations and their own desires will resonate with readers of many backgrounds. An author’s note explains that the story was inspired by the experiences of Ahmed Mohamed, nicknamed “The Clock Boy,” a Muslim Texan school boy who was wrongly accused of bringing a bomb to school.
VERDICT Gripping, well-paced, and poignant, this is an essential purchase for all libraries and a must-read book of our times that raises important questions about who controls historical narratives, what it means to stand up for justice, and the legacy of an event that cannot be forgotten.
Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland P.L., CA , Sep 10, 2021
Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Nadiya Bakes by Nadiya Hussain

Posted on by Fatoma Rad

Review: Nadiya Bakes: Over 100 Must-Try Recipes for Breads, Cakes, Biscuits, Pies, and More

Hussain, Nadiya. Nadiya Bakes: Over 100 Must-Try Recipes for Breads, Cakes, Biscuits, Pies, and More. 2021. 256p. Penguin Random House/Crown, Clarkson Potter, $29.99. (ISBN 9780593233733). General Audience, cookbook.
Released 7/27/2021  

Nadiya Bakes by Nadiya HussainNadiya Hussain, the 2015 winner of BBC’s The Great British Bake Off, has been captivating fans everywhere with her charisma and creative recipes especially in her shows, The Family Challenge, Nadiya Bakes, and Nadiya’s Time to Eat. This book, Nadiya Bakes, published by Penguin Random House/Clarkson Potter,  follows the formula of its predecessors Nadiya’s Kitchen (PRH, 2016) and Time to Eat (PRH/Clarkson Potter, 2020) with over 100 savory and sweet recipes to enjoy.

Filled with beautifully vibrant photographs of the baked goods as well as images of Nadiya preparing dishes, readers are given a sense of personalization, charm, and ease as though Nadiya has invited them into her kitchen and handwritten a recipe and directions just for them. There are 8 different sections in this book: cakes, mini-cakes and one-pan bakes, no-bakes, celebration bakes, cookies, tarts and pies, desserts, breads and buns and finally, savory bakes. Recipes reflect Hussain’s style and are playful with colors, textures, and flavors. Each recipe starts with a quick blurb about what that recipe means to her, how she came up with the recipe, or a fun tidbit about the recipe. Recipes are not text heavy, but clearly convey enough details about the process, flowing smoothly and easy to follow. 

Aesthetically pleasing and delightful from cover to cover, make room in your kitchen, bookshelf, or coffee table for this one. The multitude of recipes ensure that readers can keep coming back to their favorites, try something new, or modify recipes and make them their own. This reader plans to dust off my own kitchen aid mixer and bake. But what will it be first? I’m  debating between the rose harissa rugelach or the strawberry and clotted cream shortcake cupcakes. Either way it will be a win.

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Samira Surfs

Posted on by Mahasin Abuwi Aleem

Samira Surfs by Rukhsanna GuidrozThis review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Samira Surfs
by Rukhsanna Guidroz & illus. by Fahmida Azim
Kokila. Jun. 2021. 288p. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781984816191.

 Gr 4-8–It’s been three months since 11-year-old Samira and her family fled persecution in their homeland of Burma; three months since they paid a man to board a boat to cross the Naf River, seeking safety and a better life in Bangladesh; and three months since that same river swallowed her grandparents alive and dragged them to the bottom of the sea. In Bangladesh, Samira and her family do their best to make a life as unregistered refugees living outside of the refugee camps: Samira sells hard-boiled eggs along the beach to tourists; her brother cleans dishes and tables at a local café, and her father performs grueling work on shrimping boats. As refugees, they face resentment, suspicion, and threats of violence by some members of the local Bengali population, who view them as competition for scarce resources. Meanwhile, Samira struggles to pursue her own dreams, which conflict with her parents’ cultural expectations. New friendships along the beach offer community and the opportunity to surf, an activity that gives Samira freedom and the chance to face and overcome her fears. Written in verse, this well-paced novel weaves Burmese history and the plight of the Rohingya, a persecuted predominately Muslim ethnic minority. Characters are multidimensional and are portrayed with nuance and empathy. Illustrations offer additional texture and help bring the plot to life. Although this is a work of fiction, it will hopefully inspire readers to learn more about the “surfer girls of Bangladesh,” the Rohingya people, and Southeast Asian history.

VERDICT A compelling novel that spotlights the history and contemporary circumstances of the Rohingya while tackling universal themes of friendship, belonging, and identity. Pair with other works about trailblazing young women, such as Julie Abery’s Yusra Swims or a biography of Malala Yousafzai.
Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, ­Oakland P.L., CA , Jun 01, 2021
Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: The Arabic Quilt by Aya Khalil

Posted on by Hadeal Salamah

   Review: The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story

Khalil, Aya. The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story. Illus. by Anait Semirdzhyan. 2020. 36p. Tilbury House, $17.95. (9780884487548). K-Gr 3.

Egyptian American Kanzi and her family have just moved to a new town where Kanzi will be starting third grade. Her Baba tells her he’s packed her favorite kofta sandwich for lunch, but Kanzi secretly wishes he had made peanut butter and jelly, because she doesn’t want to be “different.” When Kanzi forgets her lunch, her Mama brings it to school and speaks to her in Arabic, calling her “habibti.” Molly, one of Kanzi’s classmates, overhears and mocks both of them while another classmate laughs along. When Mrs. Haugen, Kanzi’s teacher, discovers her new student in tears, she tells Kanzi that “being bilingual is beautiful” and that she shouldn’t let anyone make her feel ashamed. Mrs. Haugen’s response models and reinforces the importance of educators recognizing and affirming student identity. Despite this positive message, Kanzi is still anxious about fitting in, and asks her mother to pack her a turkey sandwich for lunch the next day, rather than the leftover shurbet ‘ads.

That evening, wrapped in her Teita’s quilt, Kanzi writes a poem that inspires a classroom quilt project, with her teacher, Mrs. Haugen facilitating a discussion of English words that come from Arabic, language appreciation, and acceptance. Kanzi and her mother write student names in Arabic to add to a classroom quilt, and Kanzi finds pride and love in the languages she speaks.

Khalil’s words include intentional and specific details that convey Egyptian culture, from food to music. Mrs. Haugen’s language lesson validates Kanzi’s own background knowledge of Arabic and fosters a heartwarming pride. Particularly moving is a text where Kanzi watches her mother in class and thinks “how beautiful she looks.” In one of the last spreads, Kanzi sees another quilt across the hall, and meets Kura, who helped her classmates write their names in Japanese (Katakana). In the final scene, Kanzi writes a poem for her parents, thanking them for always encouraging her to be proud of speaking a different language. 

Muted, gentle illustrations and Semirdzhyan’s use of white space centers the focus on Kanzi, the students, and her family. Small details such as patterns on dishes, a tablecloth, and Kanzi’s father’s vest, and the newspaper (in Arabic) he is reading on Egyptian News, richly convey elements of Egyptian culture. Teita’s quilt itself is colorful and bright and depicts feluccas on the Nile and there is a photograph of Teita sewing the quilt. The family also has photos of protestors and a tennis player that appears to be Serena Williams in their home. Kanzi’s father appears to be a Black Arab Egyptian, while her mother is light-skinned, Kanzi and her brother Zacharia also have brown skin. A glossary of Egyptian Arabic terms is included.

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year

Posted on by Mahasin Abuwi Aleem

This review was originally published in School Library Journal.

Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year by Nina Hamza
HarperCollins/Quill Tree.
June 2021. 320p. Tr. $16.99. ISBN 9780063024892.

 Gr 3-7–Ahmed Aziz recalls the year when he was 12 and forced to move from Hawaii, the only home he’d ever known, to his father’s hometown in Minnesota so that his father could receive lifesaving medical treatment for a genetic illness. Frustrated by his parents’ choice to move to Minnesota and his lack of control over his life, Ahmed reluctantly embraces his new community and faces the looming legacy of his late uncle’s life and death. When a neighborhood bully targets him, Ahmed must decide who it is he wants to be; it is an epic year indeed! In this moving and well-paced novel, Hamza sensitively offers a multidimensional portrayal of characters, young and old, and skillfully weaves in a narrative of the power of good teaching and literature. Young readers resistant to reading may relate to Ahmed’s initial feelings about books, while fans of the works discussed within (including Louis Sachar’s Holes and Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia) will be delighted. References to the family’s Indian heritage and Muslim religion are seamlessly interspersed throughout, offering a warm and authentic depiction of an American Muslim family.
VERDICT A strong debut destined to become a classic. Recommended for classrooms and libraries of all types, particularly where Zanib Mian’s “Planet Omar” series flies off the shelves.
Reviewed by Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland P.L., CA , May 01, 2021
Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Unsettled

Posted on by Mahasin Abuwi Aleem

This review was originally published in School Library Journal, April 1, 2021. Unsettled will be published on May 11, 2021.

Review: Unsettled

by Reem Faruqi. HarperCollins. May 2021. 352p. Tr $16.99 ISBN 9780063044708

Gr 4–6—At home in Karachi, Pakistan, Nurah Haqq enjoys a life surrounded by family, friends, and visits to the ocean. A perfect day at the beach becomes the worst day when Nurah’s father announces that he has accepted a job offer in America. Her immediate family—father, mother, and older brother Owais—will soon relocate to the United States. Uprooted, the family settles in Peachtree City, GA, where Nurah discovers a nation of unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells, and strange pronunciations. The challenges they face in America, including Nurah’s complicity in an attack on her brother, will force the girl—whose name means “light”—to face her own weaknesses, reconnect with the light within, and blossom into someone she is proud of.

Told in verse in short chapters and divided into nine sections which are illustrated with floral mehndi patterns, this is an insightful and moving narrative that tackles a wide range of salient topics, including ableism, bullying, assimilation, colorism, racial profiling, friendship, miscarriage, and domestic abuse. The brevity of some verses allows the engrossing narrative to move quickly, but also leaves some topics feeling underexamined. Faruqi beautifully weaves Urdu and Arabic terms, and Islamic concepts throughout the text, crafting an unapologetic and authentic look at what it means to grow up Pakistani and Muslim in America. Back matter, which includes a glossary of Arabic and Urdu terms, author’s note, and recipe for aloo kabab, offers additional context and opportunities for understanding and engagement.

VERDICT A thought-provoking and engaging coming-of-age story recommended for libraries of all types; will particularly appeal to fans of Jasmine Warga’s Other Words for Home, Kelly Yang’s Front Desk, and Hena Khan’s Amina’s Voice.

—Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland P.L., CA

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: The Awakening of Malcolm X

Posted on by Nada Abdelrahim

Shabazz, Ilyasah & Jackson, Tiffany D. The Awakening of Malcolm X, Jan. 2021. 336p. Macmillan/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $17.99. (9780374313296). Grades 6-12.

Written by one of his daughters, Ilyasah Shabazz, and the author Tiffany D. Jackson, The Awakening of Malcolm X is a young adult fiction novel about the life of Malcolm X during his time in prison. In the 1940’s, a young Malcolm is sentenced to eight to ten years in prison after stealing a watch. In prison, he experiences firsthand the violence of the prison industrial complex. Readers follow Malcolm in the first-person in his early years as an incarcerated Black man, and on his journey of self-education and self-rediscovery despite these obstacles. 

This time in Malcolm’s life is made accessible to the young adult reader, with themes that are relevant to their lives including the question of identity, belonging, worth, and purpose. Shabazz depicts Malcolm’s distrust and anger and his jaded attitude toward all religions and his future at the start of the novel. Readers will relate to the conflicting societal messages Malcolm receives, and reflect on issues of race and inequity that continue to present day. As the story moves forward, Malcolm is transferred to another prison, where he is empowered and motivated to find his truth through books and self-reflection. The violent experiences in prison are not sugar coated: like the way prisoners are kept in solitary confinement for extended periods of time, prison guards using slurs and physical violence, and the description of the inhumane cells the prisoners stay in.

As the story is set in prison, most of the characters around Malcolm are prisoners as well, and are predominantly Black. His family is featured prominently in the story, with his siblings and parents interweaving in the narrative with flashbacks from his life as a child. It is the Black characters that have a positive effect on his life. There is a range of personalities that are well-developed and multi-dimensional, even when the characters that appear only for a short time. White characters are mostly authority figures, with some white prisoners who appear later in the book. Though many white characters are primarily depicted negatively, their representation is not overdone; instead, the descriptions of these characters is an accurate portrayal of how Malcolm may have experienced his interactions with whites throughout his time in prison. As the work seeks to accurately capture racism and Malcolm’s experiences, the n-word is used openly throughout the book. 

A significant part of Malcolm’s identity, and large part of his change seen in the novel, comes from his introduction to the religion of Islam and the Nation of Islam (NOI) in particular. Shabazz does not go into much detail about the tenets of the NOI; she just includes basic religious principles and beliefs that provide necessary context for the reader. The inclusion of religion, and Malcolm’s understanding of it, never becomes preachy. It serves only to bring to life Malcolm’s evolution, and the NOI’s role in that time of his life. The foreshadowing of possible conflict of the NOI in Malcolm’s life is also there, but no outright criticism. 

Overall, The Awakening of Malcolm X is an essential read for those looking to learn about Malcolm’s story and  the important voices of the Civil Rights Movement in an accessible way. Readers are provided with an inspirational yet truthful presentation of how circumstances, support, and self-motivation may push us out of feelings of darkness or being lost.

Posted in Books, Reviews

Review: Halal Hot Dogs

Posted on by Mahasin Abuwi Aleem

This review was originally published in School Library Journal, April 1, 2021. Additional images from publisher’s website. Halal Hot Dogs will be published on May 4, 2021.

Review: Halal Hot Dogs

by Susannah Aziz (text), illus. by Parwinder Singh. Little Bee Books. May 2021. 40p. Tr $17.99 ISBN 9781499811575

Gr 2–4—It’s Friday, Musa’s favorite day of the week—the day his family, including his mother, father, siblings, and grandfather walk together to attend Jummah prayer service at a local masjid and have a special meal together afterward. After weeks of waiting and enduring some food mishaps, it’s finally Musa’s turn to choose the family’s post-Jummah treat. He knows exactly what he wants: halal hot dogs from a stand near the masjid, topped with Salam sauce, of course.

This lively tale chronicles Musa’s Friday adventure through the streets of his vibrant urban neighborhood. Bright cartoon illustrations contribute to the feel of the story. While the family’s ethnic identity isn’t explicitly identified, references to dishes such as molokhia and kefte, and mentions of cultural traditions (debke, a folk dance popular in Palestinian and Lebanese communities), as well as depictions of family members wearing traditional dress, offer an unabashed representation of a loving and positive Middle Eastern family. Community members at the masjid and in the neighborhood are depicted in various skin tones, shapes, and sizes, with names representing diverse ethnic backgrounds. A glossary of Arabic words and terms and an explanation of halal laws provide additional context.

VERDICT An enjoyable tour of food, faith, and family.

—Mahasin A. Aleem, Oakland P.L., CA

Posted in Book Discussions, Books, Reviews

Review and Book Discussion: Fatima’s Great Outdoors

Posted on by hijabilibrarians

Fatima’s Great Outdoors, a picture book about an Indian American Muslim family’s experience camping, was published on March 30, 2021. It’s proven to be a wonderful book for sparking discussions about a host of topics, including the range of representation in immigrant experiences in children’s literature, especially as it relates to the South Asian community.      

We have also had conversations amongst ourselves about the content and deliberate framing of the book, especially in light of the NPR interview with author Ambreen Tariq, and the points she brings up about outdoor spaces and of national parks and Native land (read this perspective about national parks and native land from the Atlantic) and the historical violence against Black people in the woods. 

What follows are three perspectives on the book from Hijabi Librarian contributors:

  • Ariana’s starred review for School Library Journal,
  • Noureen’s review (below) that includes concerns that she has as a Pakistani American immigrant,
  • as well as observations from Amna, who is a Pakistani Canadian immigrant.

Noureen’s review:

Tariq, Ambreen. Fatima’s Great Outdoors. Illus. by Steve Lewis. 2021. 40p. Penguin Young Readers Group $17.99 (ISBN 9781984816955) Grades K-3

Fatima Khazi, an eight-year-old immigrant from India, is excited for her first ever camping trip with her family. After a rough week at school, this is the perfect getaway. Packed into the car, snacking on savory Indian treats, and singing along to old Bollywood songs by Rafi, a popular singer in India, the family makes their way to the campsite. The resourcefulness and ingenuity of her mother solves problems with a frightening spider, a stubborn tent, and a campfire that won’t catch. Fatima and her hardworking parents want to enjoy this “great American pastime” and eat Halal bacon along with their traditional Indian meal of shami kababs, roti, and anda. 

There is a certain unease in the story and sadness to Fatima’s character that is hard to ignore through the book. Fatima feels a sense of displacement and misses her life in India. There are no fellow immigrants or people of color that she can relate to at school or in the park. Fatima is clearly struggling with a lot of anxiety and worry. She misses her parents that work long hours and feels overshadowed by her sister, who seems to be adjusting more easily socially and academically at school, while Fatima is bullied at school for her thick accent, her appearance, and lunch.

The introduction of South Asian immigrant lifestyle is a bit cliche, and includes living in a one room house, working two jobs, not using paper products, eating home-cooked meals, and being resourceful. The Khazis’ life in India is portrayed through stereotypical struggles of Fatima’s mother in a small village with a woodburning stove, dealing with lizards and scorpions, while her father’s ineptness outdoors is due to his upbringing in  the city. 

The family’s past life is creatively mirrored on a two page spread and gives the readers a chance to take a closer look at the day-to-day Indian family’s lifestyle in the clothing, household items and setting. 

South Asian readers will relate to cultural touches and vocabulary in the book. However, there is no glossary to help other readers understand these unfamiliar words like nani (maternal grandmother), Apa (older sister), shabash (word of encouragement), roti (bread), shami kebabs (beef patties), samosas (fried pastry), aanda (fried egg), ghee (clarified butter), and Rafi, a famous singer from India. 

Lewis’s choice of  color palette and use of light at different times of the day is exquisite and intricate. Resulting in the backdrop of the great outdoors that feels like a dreamy and enchanted woodland. 

It is an endearing book for young readers, though its tropes and cliches were a bit excessive for a South Asian immigrant like myself. Even so, I feel that the book is a nice introduction to the immigrant experience. Venturing into camping is clearly a step into the unknown, just like immigrating to a brand new country is a huge step in itself. The reader roots for this little girl and her family’s resourcefulness. 

Focusing on Fatima’s family and her mostly white classmates at the beginning of the book, there is not much racial diversity depicted with the exception of a multiracial group holding a “Brown People Camping” banner (the author founded the movement) at the end of the book.  

The story makes many people of color feel welcome in the outdoors. The close-knitted family structure and the quality of art combines for a riveting read. People of all ages will enjoy this story as they remember memories of the trips they have taken with their families. 

Thank you to Kokila for providing digital access to this book. Fatima’s Great Outdoors was published March 30,2021.

Amna’s thoughts:

I enjoyed reading this story. I could relate to Fatima a lot, even though in my family, I am the aapa (or big sister). I appreciated the references to Bollywood songs, foods like shami kabab, anda (egg) and roti. I think that non-Urdu speakers may not understand all cultural and food references, especially since anda is not depicted, and a glossary is not included. This was not a problem for me as a reader, but I wanted to mention it. Another important detail enjoyed seeing was that the author was intentional in depicting the family getting meat from the halal butcher – I’ve never seen that mentioned in a picture book before! 

Fatima’s mother was shown as a very practical and fearless woman and it was explained why her dad was so out of his element in the outdoors. I appreciated that her dad was not afraid to use the stove to make breakfast. 

Overall, the family’s excitement in being together and trying something new, coupled with the lovely illustrations, is well conveyed and heartfelt. The illustrations really give the reader the opportunity to get to know the family more deeply, especially in the scenes and use of color palette that contrasts the family’s life in India with their life in the United States. 

I appreciated the framing of Fatima and her sister’s school life, adjusting to new situations as new immigrants without first mentioning they were immigrants, as most of the incidents Fatima went through could easily happen to other children. Fatima’s experiences were very relatable, however, I appreciated the juxtaposition of her sister’s easy academic adaptation, challenging the idea that people have to have the same immigrant experiences, and that this experience can vary even amongst family members. 

Here in Canada, we have a program called Learn to Camp which is offered by Parks Canada. Learn to Camp presents at libraries and other organizations to instruct potential campers on how to plan, organize, and do everything related to camping. The last illustration shows campers holding a Brown People Camping banner and reminds me of the last session I hosted at my library in 2019, where the speaker emphasized the idea of camping for everyone, and being inclusive of campers of many different ethnic backgrounds. 

Readers Weigh-in

What did you think about this story and the intentionality behind it? Did you connect with any of the characters’ experiences?