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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I couldn’t really get into this one. It’s obviously good as a mirror/window into the Muslim community, and the issues the main character deals with seem very realistic for a tween, but as an adult I found her whiny and self-centered. I feel like it might be a good read for tweens (the target audience), but throughout MOST of the book she feels entitled and that her best friend “belongs” to her, it’s pretty annoying.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Generally, I’ll give a positive review for Amina’s Voice. The book’s characters were well organized and thought out. The plan is well developed and executed. The anxieties about Amina’s fear of singing and speaking in public as well as her jealousies she has about her best friend’s increasing friendship with Emily, the girl who hangs around with the cool girls in the class, are the same anxieties that any schoolgirl or schoolboy would experience during middle school age. People could relate to the teasing Amina gets from the boys for having a difference in appearance because all kids get this type of treatment, at one point or another, not just because she has a cultural difference with them, because that is often what is what kids do during this period in their lives. Soojin’s character is typical of a character trying to fit in by changing her name, and “Americanizing” herself. Khan gives color to the father, Baba. He is often away from the family, which makes him aloof of family crisis sometimes. But he is understanding when he deals with Amina’s issues of studying with Thaya Jaan, and traditional when he tells Amina and her brother, Mustafa, that they have to enter the recitation competition. He becomes very serious when dealing with the issues when the Islamic Center is vandalized. Iman Malik, the cleric, can be stern yet understanding when he deals with Mustafa cutting class. Thay Jaan, Amina’s uncle, seems overtly traditional, but is well meaning, and also offers a good contrast to the rest of the characters in the book. The relationship between Baba, and his brother, Thaya Jaan is sometimes over the top with Baba often appearing overly submissive to him. The mother often too is traditional with her cooking, and her willingness to please Thaya Jaan by insisting he take more food. But otherwise, the mother is a reasonable person and emerges when crisis develops. The age of the kids in “Amina’s Voice” are young and are not of an age where they really start acting up, so the kids, as written in the book are fine. You’re happy she conquered her fear of singing in public, but overall, the author could have done more. One criticism I have of this book is the plot of the book is slow in developing, and it takes page 150 of a 190-page book for the conflict in the story to build up. The resolution is all bunched up in one last chapter which seems to rob Amina, the leading character, of having her make further contribution to the resolution of the story. Perhaps, the wording could have been used to make the to speed up the build-up, get Amina more in the resolution of the plot, and resolve the storyline without compromising its principles. Overall, though, I felt this a pleasant read, and would recommend this book to the public.
~Bob H.
Find a Copy at Scottsdale Public Library
~Bob H.
Find a Copy at Scottsdale Public Library
what a lovely read!! i usually don’t read middle grade books because they’re obviously not written for me but this was such a nice feel-good read for this weird uncertain time that we’re experiencing right now :)
Amina is a sixth grader at a middle school in Detroit, struggling to find her place in the new landscape. Her best friend Soojin is becoming an American Citizen and is attempting to find her new American name. Soojin has also become friends with Emily - a girl who has not been pleasant or nice to the other girls in her class, ever. Amina is worried about what kind of mean tricks Emily has up her sleeve when she befriends Soojin.
When Amina accidentally mentions that Emily has a crush on a boy in the class, things in this sticky friendship get even stickier, with ugly names and accusations thrown around. Amina is worried that her actions have forever ended her friendship with Soojin.
Things take an unexpected turn when the Mosque is vandalized. Hateful graffiti, vandalism, priceless objects destroyed, and a fire almost destroy the heart of the Muslim community.
The tale of how this community comes together to defeat hate reminds us just how good we can be when we look at our commonalities instead of our differences.
When Amina accidentally mentions that Emily has a crush on a boy in the class, things in this sticky friendship get even stickier, with ugly names and accusations thrown around. Amina is worried that her actions have forever ended her friendship with Soojin.
Things take an unexpected turn when the Mosque is vandalized. Hateful graffiti, vandalism, priceless objects destroyed, and a fire almost destroy the heart of the Muslim community.
The tale of how this community comes together to defeat hate reminds us just how good we can be when we look at our commonalities instead of our differences.
Read alikes:
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks
Questions:
What does Amina's Uncle not like that she does? Plays and listens to music
What does Amina say that makes her friends mad at her? She tells who one of them have a crush on
Why is Amina upset with Soojin? Because Soojin wants to change her name
What good does Amina's friend's mom make that she really likes? Peanut butter cookies
What food was Soojin eating in 3rd grade when she was made fun of? Kimchi
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar
Save Me A Seat by Sarah Weeks
Questions:
What does Amina's Uncle not like that she does? Plays and listens to music
What does Amina say that makes her friends mad at her? She tells who one of them have a crush on
Why is Amina upset with Soojin? Because Soojin wants to change her name
What good does Amina's friend's mom make that she really likes? Peanut butter cookies
What food was Soojin eating in 3rd grade when she was made fun of? Kimchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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:
Complicated
FANTASTIC. DIVERSE. FICTION. Yes. I loved this book. I loved how it embraced the beauty of the many cultures in the US and how they strengthen us. I love that it addresses hate and responds only with overwhelming love. What a simple yet beautiful book. More of this please!