Tag: identity

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. 

That’s Not My Name! by Anoosha Syed

That’s Not My Name!
by Anoosha Syed
Viking / Penguin Random House

A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed.

Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can’t wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she’d be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily.

Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly—even if it takes a hundred tries.

Summary and cover image via Edelweiss

BeYOUtiful by Shelina Janmohamed

BeYOUtiful: Radiate confidence, celebrate difference and express yourself
by Shelina Janmohamed, illustrated by Chanté Timothy
Welbeck Publishing Group

BeYOUtiful is about feeling extraordinary, radiating confidence, and celebrating diversity in how we look. This book will look at self esteem and body image, how beauty has changed throughout history and beauty in difference. It explores how media and society presents beauty and gives constructive advice on how to BeYOUtiful, giving readers the tools to look critically at what they are shown, form their own opinions and build their confidence.

As much as we want to believe that young people gain confidence from messages like “beauty comes from within,” the reality is that our inner wellbeing is affected by how we feel about our outward appearance. This book will empower young readers to think critically about the images they see, reflect upon their own inner and outer beauty and find perspective in a harsh world. Author Shelina Janmohamed writes in an engaging, fun and honest manner, perfect for young readers who may be questioning their own beauty as they grow up.

Author Shelina Janmohamed is an award-winning journalist and VP of Ogilvy Islamic Marketing, and bestselling author of Love in a Headscarf, a memoir about growing up as a British Muslim woman.

Cover image and summary via Edelweiss

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: 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: 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 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?

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy

Huda F Are You? by Huda FahmyHuda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
Penguin Random House/Dial Books

Cover image and summary via Penguin Random House

Narya and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata

Narya and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata
Penguin Random House/Viking Books for Young Readers

In this coming-of-age graphic novel with a fantastical twist, Nayra Mansour, a Muslim American girl is helped on her journey to selfhood by a djinn.

Nothing is going right for Nayra Mansour. There’s the constant pressure from her strict family, ruthless bullying from her classmates, and exhausting friendship demands from Rami –the only other Muslim girl at school. Nayra has had enough. Just when she’s considering transferring schools to escape it all, a mysterious Djinn named Marjan appears.

As a djinn, a mythical being in Islamic folklore, Marjan uses their powers and wisdom to help Nayra navigate her overwhelming life. But Marjan’s past is fraught with secrets, guilt, and trouble, and if they don’t face what they’ve done, Nayra could pay the price.

In this beautifully illustrated graphic novel, Iasmin Omar Ata has created a realistic coming-of-age story with an enchanting dose of the fantastical about strength, identity, and, most of all, friendship.

Summary via Edelweiss

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

Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin's Hijab Piece By Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab by Priya Huq
Abrams/Amulet Books

In this middle-grade graphic novel, Nisrin will have to rely on faith, friends, and family to help her recover after she is the target of a hate crime.

Nisrin is a 13-year-old Bangladeshi-American girl living in Milwaukie, Oregon, in 2002. As she nears the end of eighth grade, she gives a presentation for World Culture Day about Bangladesh while wearing a traditional cultural dress. On her way home, she is the victim of a hate crime when a man violently attacks her for wearing a headscarf.

Deeply traumatized by the experience, Nisrin spends the summer depressed and isolated. Other than weekly therapy, Nisrin doesn’t leave the house until fall arrives and it’s time for her to start freshman year at a new school. The night before class starts, Nisrin makes a decision. She tells her family she’s going to start wearing hijab, much to their dismay. Her mother and grandparent’s shocked and angry reactions confuse her—but they only strengthen her resolve.

This choice puts Nisrin on a path to not only discover more about Islam, but also her family’s complicated relationship with the religion, and the reasons they left Bangladesh in the first place. On top of everything else, she’s struggling to fit in at school—her hijab makes her a target for students and faculty alike. But with the help from old friends and new, Nisrin is starting to figure out what really makes her happy. Piece by Piece is an original graphic novel about growing up and choosing your own path, even if it leads you to a different place than you expected.

Cover and summary via Abrams