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booktalkwithrae's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This books follows Shadi, Who is a Muslim, where is a hijab and often keeps her head down. She’s too busy dealing with her own troubles to find the time to deal with bigots and racists especially after the US declared war in Iraq. Her brother is dead, her father is dying, and her mother is falling apart, she is drifting away from her sister and she’s lost her best friend. She is trying to navigate through her sorrows and her pain and each day becomes harder and harder. Can the boy she was falling for help her?
This book switch is between present day in 2003 and the year before and I found this jump between timelines a little difficult to follow. Other than that the story was pretty simple and focused on Shadi and her life struggles. It were important topics of racism and bullying especially since this book takes place two years after 9/11. The side characters I felt stood out and played a really important role in Shari’s story And I enjoyed all the interactions she had.
My biggest problem was the ending. I found that the ending was very quick and wrapped up a little too neatly for all the struggles that Shadi was facing. I felt unsatisfied and felt like I had a lot of questions by the end of it.
Minor: Self harm
georgiachambers's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Islamophobia, and Hate crime
Minor: Death
laarer's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Drug use
romie_chat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Islamophobia, Mental illness, Death, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
kellyeweber's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, and Self harm
Moderate: Islamophobia
jadie_berg's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Drug use, Hate crime, Car accident, Child death, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, War, and Medical content
bookcaptivated's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death, Islamophobia, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Self harm, Racism, and Racial slurs
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and War
asporkthief's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death and Self harm
martinaaw's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Islamophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, and Self harm
lauritbh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Self harm
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol