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hayleyjames24's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this! I picked it up because I like to read as many YA books as I can as I work in a high school library and this is one of my faves I’ve read this year.
The writing was very 2005 (as in lots of talk about being fat and weight when the character is literally a size 10 haha) but I can absolutely forgive the cringe because the story that it told and the themes that it delved into were so special. I feel like I actually learnt a lot but in a fun and silly way.
Themes: identity, friendship, relationships with parents, that end of school panic about what you’re gonna do with your life and how are you gonna live up to your parents expectations and self confidence
I loved how I depth it talked about Ramadan, the Muslim experience in Australia (I know this is only one characters perspective) immigration, wearing hijab. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Amal gain confidence and clarity in her decision to wear hijab full time and loved being in her mind when she was contemplating her decisions
I thought all of the characters were really fleshed out and I could see all of them clearly in my minds eye, this book kinda gave me the vibes of Jacqueline Wilson’s “Girls” series with the topics that were handled like boys, makeup, staying out late, eating disorders/weight issues, peer pressure but with a bunch of Muslim girls which was fun.
Loved Amals parents! They were super cute, and Leila’s storyline was very touching. Amals storyline with her next door neighbour was very sweet too, loved her realisations in this space that everybody had a story.
Think this would be a great fit for a school library who wants to diversify their shelves a tad. But because of the classic 2005 writing style (very cosmo, girlfriend magazine) I would say watch out for the writing feeling a tad behind the times.
The writing was very 2005 (as in lots of talk about being fat and weight when the character is literally a size 10 haha) but I can absolutely forgive the cringe because the story that it told and the themes that it delved into were so special. I feel like I actually learnt a lot but in a fun and silly way.
Themes: identity, friendship, relationships with parents, that end of school panic about what you’re gonna do with your life and how are you gonna live up to your parents expectations and self confidence
I loved how I depth it talked about Ramadan, the Muslim experience in Australia (I know this is only one characters perspective) immigration, wearing hijab. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Amal gain confidence and clarity in her decision to wear hijab full time and loved being in her mind when she was contemplating her decisions
I thought all of the characters were really fleshed out and I could see all of them clearly in my minds eye, this book kinda gave me the vibes of Jacqueline Wilson’s “Girls” series with the topics that were handled like boys, makeup, staying out late, eating disorders/weight issues, peer pressure but with a bunch of Muslim girls which was fun.
Loved Amals parents! They were super cute, and Leila’s storyline was very touching. Amals storyline with her next door neighbour was very sweet too, loved her realisations in this space that everybody had a story.
Think this would be a great fit for a school library who wants to diversify their shelves a tad. But because of the classic 2005 writing style (very cosmo, girlfriend magazine) I would say watch out for the writing feeling a tad behind the times.
jennrocca's review against another edition
3.0
Every character was an outrageous cliche. Even though the main character is about 16 or 17 years old, the book reads like it is made for 7th graders. I appreciate the insight into the challenges the main character faced when she chose to wear her hijab full time. How she came to her decision, how she felt about it, and the challenges she faced were all interesting and worth hearing about. The sappy teenaged drama and angst I could very much do without.
luci_08's review against another edition
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
potplant's review against another edition
"If you want to understand a problem you look at it's cause. You don't look at it's manifestation."
Wholesome, funny and wise, despite its YA Y2K vibes.
Wholesome, funny and wise, despite its YA Y2K vibes.
x_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
It was a little too preachy. The plot was acceptable enough, but instead of introducing us to a complex and interesting character, the author gives us a shining and boring flat hero along with several diatribes on prejudice and religious intolerance.
sapph22's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
joana_stormblessed's review against another edition
4.0
What is it about?
Does My Head Look Big In This follows a Muslim-Australian teenager who decides, during her summer break, to wear the hijab full-time. This is not a simple decision as she is scared of the repercussions that this decision will have on her life. Not only is she scared of the looks that she will receive, but she also attends a school for elite students where there are no other veiled girls.
As Amal sticks to her decision, she finds the support of her parents, even though they are also nervous about this choice, and her best friends. However, the school administration doesn't see it that way and neither do the other students at her school. In fact, most people think that Amal is wearing the hijab because her parents forced it on her and they assume that she is an oppressed woman.
The book follows Amal as she defends her beliefs and as she figures out that wearing the hijab isn't enough. Being "religious" is more than just outward symbols of faith. She also deals with people assuming that she is a terrorist, or that she has the same beliefs, because she is Muslim. In this story, Amal teaches her ent0urage that it isn't like that. She also has to step up when a boy she has a crush on has one back and she cannot follow her "desires" because she wants to be faithful to her beliefs.
This book is about discovering who you are and to step up to defend what you believe in. It is also about friends and family and crushes and life in general.
What I thought:
I really enjoyed this book a whole lot. I listened to it on audiobook and I thought that the narrator was great and I really liked the experience of it. I liked the story and the characters. If you know me, you know that I read for the characters, even if there is no major "plot" driving the story.
That is why this book worked for me. I loved seeing Amal discover what it means to be a Muslim for herself and how those decisions she made, to truly live her faith, impacted her whole life. How she really strove to be a better person. I liked seeing her grow and yet she had her flaws of impatient teenager, which makes sense, because it is what she is! I really enjoyed the diversity in this book and I really liked seeing how two Muslim families can interpret Islam completely differently (which is the same for Christianity, I know. But we do tend to assume that "all Muslims" interpret the teachings the same way).
I gave the book 4 stars because there was still something missing for me. I don't know what it is, but it didn't quite make it to the 5 stars. Nonetheless very much enjoyable.
Does My Head Look Big In This follows a Muslim-Australian teenager who decides, during her summer break, to wear the hijab full-time. This is not a simple decision as she is scared of the repercussions that this decision will have on her life. Not only is she scared of the looks that she will receive, but she also attends a school for elite students where there are no other veiled girls.
As Amal sticks to her decision, she finds the support of her parents, even though they are also nervous about this choice, and her best friends. However, the school administration doesn't see it that way and neither do the other students at her school. In fact, most people think that Amal is wearing the hijab because her parents forced it on her and they assume that she is an oppressed woman.
The book follows Amal as she defends her beliefs and as she figures out that wearing the hijab isn't enough. Being "religious" is more than just outward symbols of faith. She also deals with people assuming that she is a terrorist, or that she has the same beliefs, because she is Muslim. In this story, Amal teaches her ent0urage that it isn't like that. She also has to step up when a boy she has a crush on has one back and she cannot follow her "desires" because she wants to be faithful to her beliefs.
This book is about discovering who you are and to step up to defend what you believe in. It is also about friends and family and crushes and life in general.
What I thought:
I really enjoyed this book a whole lot. I listened to it on audiobook and I thought that the narrator was great and I really liked the experience of it. I liked the story and the characters. If you know me, you know that I read for the characters, even if there is no major "plot" driving the story.
That is why this book worked for me. I loved seeing Amal discover what it means to be a Muslim for herself and how those decisions she made, to truly live her faith, impacted her whole life. How she really strove to be a better person. I liked seeing her grow and yet she had her flaws of impatient teenager, which makes sense, because it is what she is! I really enjoyed the diversity in this book and I really liked seeing how two Muslim families can interpret Islam completely differently (which is the same for Christianity, I know. But we do tend to assume that "all Muslims" interpret the teachings the same way).
I gave the book 4 stars because there was still something missing for me. I don't know what it is, but it didn't quite make it to the 5 stars. Nonetheless very much enjoyable.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
excellent! lots of info on Muslims girls's issues, teen issues, and all sorts of interpersonal situations and life decisions. eye-opening for me.
mizzhefk's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the writing and the main character and also felt like it provided a bit of helpful cultural info. Caught myself grinning at a middle schooler in a hijab on Tuesday.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
This book is one part other people's reaction to Amal's decision to wear her hijab full-time and one part her embracing her faith, but combined to make one powerful book with an really enjoyable Amal as the main character.