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nerfherder86's review against another edition
3.0
Aisha and her sister Nadira are Bangladeshi-American girls living in NYC. After Sept. 11 happens, their family is forced to flee the States, because their dad's visa is long expired. But at the border with Canada, they're made to turn back and their dad is taken into custody--Canada doesn't want him, but the U.S. won't let him back in! So the girls return to live with family and have to go to school and pretend nothing is wrong. It's an interesting story about sisters, who are very different, and how they cope with this sudden reversal in their life. Good look at immigrant life today, and also family dynamics. First winner of the James Cook award for multicultural literature for youth.
bekkz27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
readitall199's review against another edition
5.0
Nadira is a teen living in New York City with her older sister, Aisha and their parents. They are undocumented and continued to stay in the U.S. on expired visas. They dream of being legal residents, but the government has cracked down on illegal aliens from several Muslim counties after 9/11. The family decides to risk everything by traveling to Canada to seek asylum. The border guard turns them away and Nadira’s father is arrested and detained in the U.S. This is a fast moving story that offers a readers a persuasive and compassionate look at a hardworking family who is desperate to call the U.S. home.
nedge's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
adriaweger's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio mostly while running errands or doing chores, so there were definitely parts I spaced out on. Over all, I enjoyed the story, even tearing up a bit towards the end. Very touching and enlightening story.
kalena_reads's review against another edition
1.0
I had to read this book for literature circles, lets just say I was less than impressed. This book was very predictable and had no cliffhangers or unpredictable events whatsoever. As well as the characters being predictable, there were parts where I felt like we didn't get enough info. I love books that are riveting and unpredictable but this book was so much less than that.
seaofthesun14's review against another edition
3.0
Being that the book was inspired by true events, many Muslim Americans living in the U.S. after September 11 can relate to the characters in the story because they are authentically portrayed and their experiences realistically reflect the experiences several Muslim Americans lived through. After her father is detained in the U.S. for having an expired visa, Nadira Hossain and her older sister, Aisha, are separated from their parents and have no choice to but to go on with their lives as they try to seek a solution to reunite their family once again. Being that they are Muslim Americans on expired visas, they conceal their immigration status and their father’s detainment, primarily because many now considered Muslim Americans as being terrorists and dangerous people. Since the story is set shortly after September 11, the events that transpire in the story are consistent with what actually occurred in the U.S. at that time. Several cultural markers are brought out to make this point such as, the attitudes of several Americans toward Muslim Americans as well as the Homeland Security Patriot Act that required all men over 18 years old to register, especially if their country of origin was Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Pakistan, or Bangladesh.
In regards to the Muslim American culture, the story is rich in cultural details with lots of words and phrases in their native language as well as references to holidays, attire, food, and objects like Ramadan, Allah, Pohela Boishakh (the Bengali New Year), saris, kurtas, polao, biryani, pooris, alu gobi, and moori. Through these details along with the experiences underscored in the story, readers are able to catch a glimpse of the lives of Muslim Americans. Furthermore, besides these cultural details, readers are able to reflect on their own perceptions of Muslim Americans and Middle Easterners to determine whether the media’s portrayals of people from these cultural groups have affected their perceptions. For these reasons, I highly recommend this captivating story that was inspired by true events.
In regards to the Muslim American culture, the story is rich in cultural details with lots of words and phrases in their native language as well as references to holidays, attire, food, and objects like Ramadan, Allah, Pohela Boishakh (the Bengali New Year), saris, kurtas, polao, biryani, pooris, alu gobi, and moori. Through these details along with the experiences underscored in the story, readers are able to catch a glimpse of the lives of Muslim Americans. Furthermore, besides these cultural details, readers are able to reflect on their own perceptions of Muslim Americans and Middle Easterners to determine whether the media’s portrayals of people from these cultural groups have affected their perceptions. For these reasons, I highly recommend this captivating story that was inspired by true events.
alexbestwick's review against another edition
A wonderful, moving book about family and the importance of being seen for who you are, as a person. Loved it.
hillyb's review against another edition
3.0
Ask Me No Questions is a glimpse into the lives of a Muslim family post- 9/11, told through the eyes of a young girl named Nadira. Because of everything that they have been going through and the discrimination that all Muslims are facing, Nadira's father decides that they are going to try to leave the United States and claim Asylum in Canada. Unfortunately, they are turned away and with their expired Visas, their father is held by the Border Patrol. The rest of the story tells of the trial and their attempts at getting their father home.
This book was interesting in that you get to see a viewpoint of a girl struggling between her Muslim and American identity. I liked how it showed both aspects of her life and how the two cultures blended together. Their food was from their homeland, but they had Britney Spears posters hanging in their rooms. However, I found the story to move extremely slowly. Because of this, it was difficult for me to be invested in the story, though it did help to show me as a reader how long this process can actually take, and how nerve-wracking it would be to be in their places.
This would be a great book to use in a classroom or to recommend to a middle/high school student in order to see what it would be like in the shoes of a Muslim American, especially after 9/11. I think with having mostly girl main characters in the book, it would definitely be more interesting for girls to read rather than boys.
This book was interesting in that you get to see a viewpoint of a girl struggling between her Muslim and American identity. I liked how it showed both aspects of her life and how the two cultures blended together. Their food was from their homeland, but they had Britney Spears posters hanging in their rooms. However, I found the story to move extremely slowly. Because of this, it was difficult for me to be invested in the story, though it did help to show me as a reader how long this process can actually take, and how nerve-wracking it would be to be in their places.
This would be a great book to use in a classroom or to recommend to a middle/high school student in order to see what it would be like in the shoes of a Muslim American, especially after 9/11. I think with having mostly girl main characters in the book, it would definitely be more interesting for girls to read rather than boys.
williamsdebbied's review against another edition
4.0
Nadira came to New York with her family at five years old. Though their visas have expired, Nadira's parents haven't given up hope that they will be able to become legal citizens. And then 9/11 happens and all Muslims are suspected terrorists.
Nadira's father decides that the family's best chance is to seek asylum in Canada, but he is arrested after being turned away at the Canadian border. While their mother stays in a shelter near the detention center, Nadira and her high-achieving older sister return to New York to stay with relatives. Aisha falls apart as she watches her dreams of college and a bright future crumble. Everyone has always had low expectations for Nadira, but now she may be her family's only hope.
When we read headlines screaming about illegal aliens, it's easy to forget that immigrants are real human beings with hopes and dreams who are trying to do their best for their families.
Nadira's father decides that the family's best chance is to seek asylum in Canada, but he is arrested after being turned away at the Canadian border. While their mother stays in a shelter near the detention center, Nadira and her high-achieving older sister return to New York to stay with relatives. Aisha falls apart as she watches her dreams of college and a bright future crumble. Everyone has always had low expectations for Nadira, but now she may be her family's only hope.
When we read headlines screaming about illegal aliens, it's easy to forget that immigrants are real human beings with hopes and dreams who are trying to do their best for their families.