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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Spoiler
4/5 starsi need to start this by saying i’ve read some reviews of this book where muslim readers have stated that this book and the views on ‘good muslims’ and ‘bad muslims’ (along with other things) are harmful and problematic, and since i can’t comment on that, i’ll just leave that here as a potential disclaimer for the book. (that said, i’ve also seen some muslim readers review and say that this was good representation and a good book, so just keep those in mind i guess).
in my personal opinion, i love love loved this book and allie’s journey with religion and who she is and how she practices that religion, how it fits with her family, and how she deals with wanting to date. honestly, this book and the comfort that all the characters find in their religion makes me want that stability for myself (i am currently non-religious though). i just really liked allie and all the healthy communication that goes on and also all the ways she calls people out (ie it’s super satisfying, but i also know she shouldn’t have to be the only person to speak out against islamophobia just bc she’s muslim). all the moments of her finding solace in prayer and finally being able to speak with family because she learned arabic are just so wholesome. plus i do like wells (even though that’s a bad name) and i think their relationship was pretty good? although in hindsight it is a bit weird and problematic that he was complacent with his dad like that, but the book touched on that and i think it was concluded nicely. i’ve seen other people say this but i loved the ending and the family bond that allie’s family finally created over fasting and the love they have for each other. would recommend! i think it was also kinda informative on muslim practices but that’s not the point of the book. :)
funny
informative
inspiring
relaxing
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
felt a little bit sesame street-esque at some points (educational, everybody learns from their actions, everyone is WILLING to learn and grow, etc) but i liked reading this and i did learn a lot about Islam as a religion and culture!
I was so excited to read this books as a MLL teacher and gain some deeper insight, but from what I know from my students’ shares, a lot of this narrative was troubling for me.
funny
informative
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
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Living in 2020 as a Muslim means expecting, and accepting, anti-Muslim racism in a lot of public spaces. Hiding the Muslim identity is not as uncommon, especially when you can fully emerge with society and pass as White or an “oriental beauty”.
In this realistic fiction novel we get to know Alia “Allie” Abraham, a Circassian-Syrian American, who comes from a Muslim family that doesn’t practice their faith. Quite the opposite actually. When her father first came to the US he changed his name legally to the neutral sounding “Abraham” and did not only integrate but actually assimilated into the US-American society.
As anti-Muslim racism is growing and she witnesses racist remarks and discussions among her friends, Allie starts to embrace her faith by reading, studying and finally, practicing it. While she is trying to find a balance between her new friend circle (some sort of MSA), her family, the disappointment of her father, when he learned that she wants to practice her faith, and her boyfriend, she keeps asking herself one question over and over again: “What is a good Muslim?” and will she ever truly be one?
I really appreciated this novel because it never felt forced or inorganic. Her struggles as a young Muslim woman who tries to fit in but also practice her faith, is something very familiar. It makes you question your sense of belonging, your identity, what it means to fall in love, how to build your community and which friends you’re allowed to have.
Even though it can be a little bit too much, but Courtney deconstructs so many stereotypes and myths about Islam and Muslims that it can also be read by someone who doesn’t know anything about this religion - and she is doing all of that through the lense of young Allie!
One of the things that stood out to me from other Muslim YA novels is the aspect of the language (believe me, I am saving this topic for another time). This is one of the rare books that I have read where the protagonist actually puts effort and time to learn Arabic and don’t only associate Arabic with her extended family. This is something you don’t read often in US-American books.
So, yes, do not only enjoy this cute cover but also the cute story!
In this realistic fiction novel we get to know Alia “Allie” Abraham, a Circassian-Syrian American, who comes from a Muslim family that doesn’t practice their faith. Quite the opposite actually. When her father first came to the US he changed his name legally to the neutral sounding “Abraham” and did not only integrate but actually assimilated into the US-American society.
As anti-Muslim racism is growing and she witnesses racist remarks and discussions among her friends, Allie starts to embrace her faith by reading, studying and finally, practicing it. While she is trying to find a balance between her new friend circle (some sort of MSA), her family, the disappointment of her father, when he learned that she wants to practice her faith, and her boyfriend, she keeps asking herself one question over and over again: “What is a good Muslim?” and will she ever truly be one?
I really appreciated this novel because it never felt forced or inorganic. Her struggles as a young Muslim woman who tries to fit in but also practice her faith, is something very familiar. It makes you question your sense of belonging, your identity, what it means to fall in love, how to build your community and which friends you’re allowed to have.
Even though it can be a little bit too much, but Courtney deconstructs so many stereotypes and myths about Islam and Muslims that it can also be read by someone who doesn’t know anything about this religion - and she is doing all of that through the lense of young Allie!
One of the things that stood out to me from other Muslim YA novels is the aspect of the language (believe me, I am saving this topic for another time). This is one of the rare books that I have read where the protagonist actually puts effort and time to learn Arabic and don’t only associate Arabic with her extended family. This is something you don’t read often in US-American books.
So, yes, do not only enjoy this cute cover but also the cute story!
This book was so beautiful! It's about a struggle with identity, religion, and family. It's so well-written, and I can't stop gushing over it. I think this book has a powerful message when it comes to defining yourself based on you, not what others want you to be.
I won't say too much about this book, but it's definitely worth reading.
I won't say too much about this book, but it's definitely worth reading.