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readbykatherine's review against another edition
The book is written in a free verse style and I struggled to click with it at times. The author’s writing style wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean the book was bad. I liked what I read and may come back to it at another time.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Middle grade novel in verse with heartfelt topics, some new and some familiar (kleptomania, detainment, cancer treatment).
I have conflicting feelings about the format - why a novel in verse, with "weird but true" fact boxes interspersed?
I have conflicting feelings about the format - why a novel in verse, with "weird but true" fact boxes interspersed?
courtneys_shelves's review against another edition
5.0
Ages 8-12.
What I love so much about this book is that it addresses both Really Big issues (Aafiyah’s father is unjustly detained in Pakistan and her grandfather is trying to beat cancer), but it also beautifully shows the day to day joys and sorrows of someone just becoming a teenager, dealing with body image, the joy of having a super close best friend, and the way young teens are beginning to be romantically interested (or not) in those around them.
The novel in verse makes for a quick read, and kids will easily be able to read in short sections if they do desire. However, the story never gets boring or dull, so they may not want to read short sections!
This is also a beautiful depiction of the day to day lives of a Pakistani-American Muslim family. There is a glossary in the back, along with a recipe for aloo gosht, resources for dealing addressing kleptomania, and a note from the author.
What I love so much about this book is that it addresses both Really Big issues (Aafiyah’s father is unjustly detained in Pakistan and her grandfather is trying to beat cancer), but it also beautifully shows the day to day joys and sorrows of someone just becoming a teenager, dealing with body image, the joy of having a super close best friend, and the way young teens are beginning to be romantically interested (or not) in those around them.
The novel in verse makes for a quick read, and kids will easily be able to read in short sections if they do desire. However, the story never gets boring or dull, so they may not want to read short sections!
This is also a beautiful depiction of the day to day lives of a Pakistani-American Muslim family. There is a glossary in the back, along with a recipe for aloo gosht, resources for dealing addressing kleptomania, and a note from the author.
meaganmart's review against another edition
5.0
I did bring this book home as part of my summer reading to prep for the 2023-2024 school year, but it was mostly because it arrived right at the end of the year and I couldn't wait until August to pick it up. I adore Reem Faruqui! Her novels are an automatic purchase for our library and are an excellent choice for anyone looking to increase the representation of Muslim main characters in their fiction collection!
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A moving middle-grade novel in verse featuring seventh grader, Aafiyah Qamar, a Pakistani American girl who is struggling with kleptomania on top of having her father falsely arrested for a crime he didn't commit. Aafiyah also has hearing loss and is one of the first middle grade characters I've read about dealing frankly with an addiction I feel like a lot of kids this age experience at some point. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Red, white and whole. Great on audio too.
angiedkelly's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely middle grade novel written in verse. This book is told from the perspective of seventh grader Aafiyah Qamar who is highly relatable. Topics such as kleptomania, cancer, unfair detainment, friendships, and more are covered. I really enjoyed this fast paced novel and highly recommend it to 5th graders and up.