Faruqi, Reem Illustrated by Ani Bushry. Do You Even Know Me? May 7, 2024, 40pp. HaperCollins (9780063206182). Grades Prek-2nd
Do You Even Know Me? By Reem Faruqi and illustrated by Ani Bushry, addresses bullying and Islamophobia in a picture book for young readers that is both gentle and powerful. When elementary student Salma hears the word Muslim coming from a news anchor on tv, she is disturbed by the expression on the woman’s face, which is one of anger. Salma states that she is a Muslim, and that both her name and religion mean peace. She tells readers of how she is a peacemaker at home, between her siblings, to ants, and in the lunch line at school. She and her best friend Skye do everything together, but on a day that Skye is absent, another classmate, Luke, asks where Skye is and that “probably no one will ever sit with you or your people anymore.” Salma is upset but can’t react in time, and Luke continues his bullying, bumping into Salma on the playground with an insincere apology.
Salma gets advice from her siblings and friends, but after a classroom read-aloud about bullies results in Luke positioning himself as an anti-bully to their classmates and teacher, she does not know what to tell her teacher. Luke’s bullying becomes more and more prevalent, and Salma sits with the discomfort of her feelings over both the bullying and her inability to act. But when in the lunchroom Luke whispers “Muzzlim” to her, Salma is propelled to ask the titular question. When Luke responds by saying ”I know all about Muzzlims from TV,” Salma asserts her identity as a Muslim and tells him “what you see on TV is not who I am.” Observed by her teacher and classmates, Salma is able to recount everything that has happened and Luke faces consequences for his actions.
In the days following Luke does not interact with Salma, but later attempts to brush his bullying under the rug. Salma does not let him do this, telling her how he made her feel, and he apologies, this time with sincerity. But when Luke’s best friend is absent one day, Salma remembers how that felt and reaches out, hinting at a future of friendship and understanding.
Faruqi’s narrative addresses bullying and Islamophobia with nuance and complexity, considering childhood friendships and the weaponization of prejudice and its impact, alluding to the impact of media portrayals of Muslims on a national level on a personal every day one. Salma’s instances of standing up for herself model pathways towards resolutions with restorative practices and accountability.
Accompanying the text are Bushry’s illustrations, which speak volumes in their simplicity and warmth. The soft colors and rounded shapes complement the story’s gentle yet profound message, by focusing on the everyday in Salma’s life–from pictures decorating the family home and endpapers to friend and family dynamics–deliberately humanizes Muslim children to emphasize both commonality and the responsibility of knowing real people.
Backmatter enriches the reading experience, with both author and illustrator notes that provide valuable insights into real-world issues such as the Muslim ban, the dangers of misinformation, and emphasis on human connection. Anti-bullying resources include links to the Islamic Networks Group (ING) and Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU), empowering readers to navigate complex topics with understanding and compassion and to learn. It is important to note that negative media images directly impact Muslim students. An 2020 ISPU report found in a survey of Muslim families just over half (51%) with children in K-12 public schools reported a child of theirs had been bullied for their faith in the past year. One-third of those bullied report that a teacher or school official was the bully.
Do You Even Know Me? resonates as a timely reminder of the importance and deliberate work of inclusivity, acceptance, and restorative practice. Through Salma’s journey, young readers are encouraged to embrace their identities, stand up against prejudice, and foster empathy in their communities.
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero
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.
This review was originally published in 
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. 
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.
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. 
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. 
Thank you to Kokila for providing digital access to this book. Fatima’s Great Outdoors was published March 30,2021.
Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Fatima’s Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq