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sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
Amal decides to start wearing hijab full time at the start of her eleventh grade year. She braces herself for the reaction of others, knowing that they will not alter her faith or decisions regarding her faith. Amal's life is about more than just her religious expressions, she has an active social life with boy-crazy friends, she needs to pass important school exams, and she is dealing with her grumpy neighbor Mrs. Vaselli.
This novel offered an important starting point to the discussion of religious freedoms, the treatment of Muslims after 9/11, and the treatment of those who are considered "outsiders." This novel attempted to address many of the typical teenage challenges like eating disorders, smoking, crushes, and seemingly out-of-touch parents. The novel became more about the message and left something to be desired in the characters and plot. Amal and her friends read more like 13 year-old girls, instead of 11th graders. Their dissection of text messages and squeally girl chats were not representative of today's 11th grader. I truly wish that the author would have focused more on the relationship between Mrs. Vaselli and Amal. I found that to be the most compelling and allowed the author to explore her concepts the best. I found myself interested in Leila's story and her interactions with her restrictive family, but I get why she is not the focus of this novel. I feel that this is an important book and did offer layers of interesting story, but overall it didn't ring realistic.
This novel offered an important starting point to the discussion of religious freedoms, the treatment of Muslims after 9/11, and the treatment of those who are considered "outsiders." This novel attempted to address many of the typical teenage challenges like eating disorders, smoking, crushes, and seemingly out-of-touch parents. The novel became more about the message and left something to be desired in the characters and plot. Amal and her friends read more like 13 year-old girls, instead of 11th graders. Their dissection of text messages and squeally girl chats were not representative of today's 11th grader. I truly wish that the author would have focused more on the relationship between Mrs. Vaselli and Amal. I found that to be the most compelling and allowed the author to explore her concepts the best. I found myself interested in Leila's story and her interactions with her restrictive family, but I get why she is not the focus of this novel. I feel that this is an important book and did offer layers of interesting story, but overall it didn't ring realistic.
mj38012's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.5
mhkeita's review against another edition
4.0
I think it's a really accurate representation of what it's like to be a teenage Muslim in any western culture, this coming from a teenage Muslim-American. It was really relatable while at the same time being funny and is altogether a good read for anyone. It reciprocates the struggles and the concerns that I face everyday and I've read it three times through!
ironfang's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Teen lit through and through, enjoyable enough! Happy to see the perspective of an Australian muslim girl going through day to day life, touching on her family, friends, and the relationships she and others have with their faith.
Major gripe was how the internal comments about how being fat is the worst and awful were really relentless. You're absolutely going to hear about how huge they are and the impacts of their food choices! Ended up skipping past it and while I appreciate this is how teenagers were (growing up as one in 2000's it was all very familiar) it felt a bit TOO much, especially when none of the girls are fat in the first place!!
Major gripe was how the internal comments about how being fat is the worst and awful were really relentless. You're absolutely going to hear about how huge they are and the impacts of their food choices! Ended up skipping past it and while I appreciate this is how teenagers were (growing up as one in 2000's it was all very familiar) it felt a bit TOO much, especially when none of the girls are fat in the first place!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia and Fatphobia
rebeccafarren's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Deadnaming, Racism, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Transphobia
accio_sandy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-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
4.0
brittsky's review against another edition
3.0
It was such a well done, beautiful book. I really felt what she felt. I love Simone, BTW!
kis's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Racism, and Eating disorder
p3n1's review against another edition
4.0
Menurut saya, terjemahannya yang kaku untuk ukuran teenlit plus desain cover-nya yang biasa banget bikin buku ini jadi under-rated. Padahal, saya suka banget cara penulis bertutur, terutama dalam praktik ajaran Islam yang sesungguhnya, yang diamalkan oleh seorang remaja perempuan bernama Amal.
Tanpa menggurui pembacanya dengan sedemikian sakleknya *lirik buku sebelah*, kerasa banget bahwa Islam itu disampaikan dengan damai. Juga mengenai keputusan Amal menjadi full time jilbaber karena dia ingin menjadi muslimah yang taat. Menurut saya, cerita ini (mestinya sih) bisa bikin teman-teman muslimah yang belum tergerak buat nutup aurat full time dan bener-bener mengamalkan semua ajaran Islam dengan baik ^_^
Review di blog bisa dibaca di sini
Tanpa menggurui pembacanya dengan sedemikian sakleknya *lirik buku sebelah*, kerasa banget bahwa Islam itu disampaikan dengan damai. Juga mengenai keputusan Amal menjadi full time jilbaber karena dia ingin menjadi muslimah yang taat. Menurut saya, cerita ini (mestinya sih) bisa bikin teman-teman muslimah yang belum tergerak buat nutup aurat full time dan bener-bener mengamalkan semua ajaran Islam dengan baik ^_^
Review di blog bisa dibaca di sini
learnhopeteach's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book as I begin thinking about how to purposefully transition from naming, celebrating, and having pride in my students' (and my own) culture to bring in awareness, acceptance, and empathy toward people of other cultures into my classroom. I think I might use excerpts of this book to bring awareness to the students of what it means to be a Muslim and discuss stereotypes and discrimination.