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the_laibararian's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ellenpederson's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this book overall. Minus one star because it got a little preachy at times (though perhaps some readers need that to underscore the messages of how messed up intolerance is) and had a weirdly abrupt happily ever after.
All that said, I'd still recommend it!
All that said, I'd still recommend it!
courtknee__vn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book really made me stop and think about my privilege how much I don’t have to think about daily being a white woman. Being in Texas, I see a lot about immigration and I’ve always thought it was so unfair that immigrants and people of different ethnicities and religions have to deal with so much discrimination on a daily basis but really diving into that experience from Zara’s perspective made me see it even more and it broke my heart and made me so angry. It’s not fair that she had to wake up every day with the weight of so much on her shoulders and constantly had to be on guard because of so many cruel people. I obviously don’t have the words to really express how important this book is but I think it’s such an eye opening and important read for every single person. Very very highly recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Islamophobia, Violence, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Biphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Racism
blila's review
4.0
While this was a compact read, there were some really likeable characters, including a bisexual mc and lesbian love interest which I loved!!
The issues this book discusses span from Islamophobia, white privilege, the US immigration system and homophobia, all while providing an insight into Pakistani culture throughout.
I learnt a lot from reading this and would definitely recommend. :)
The issues this book discusses span from Islamophobia, white privilege, the US immigration system and homophobia, all while providing an insight into Pakistani culture throughout.
I learnt a lot from reading this and would definitely recommend. :)
shksprsis's review
emotional
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? No
3.75
alienantidote's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
smalltownbookmom's review
4.0
A queer, Muslim coming of age story that sheds a humanizing light on the immigration crisis in America. Zara is a bisexual, 17-year-old Pakistani immigrant living in Texas and waiting for her and her family to get their permanent resident cards. She moved to America as a young child when her father got a job working as a Pediatrician but an Islamophobic hate crime drags their family's immigration status into question and Zara is forced to choose between a future in America alone or a life with her family in a country that does not tolerate people like her. This story sheds an important light on the shortcomings of the American immigration system in an accessible way for teens and is also an important look at the struggles faced by immigrant families, queer teens and all those dealing with racism on a daily basis. Highly recommend!
Favorite quotes:
"I exist in a sort of no man's land. I wasn't born here but I don't remember much of Pakistan and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I still lived there."
"We can do everything the right way, follow all the rules, work hard but ultimately it all comes down to hoping things will work out - hoping that the next ignorant racist doesn't do even more damage. Somehow I cannot allow myself to hope that things will always be like this. They have to change - I have to make sure of it."
"I come from a culture that can be ultra conservative about certain things, and a country where being bisexual could land me in jail or worse. But my parents have never made me feel that I've disappointed or embarrassed them in any way. What they have done is accepted me unconditionally and I truly believe they do this because they themselves were shunned for choosing each other and know exactly how it feels to be judged and discriminated against because of who you love."
CW: Islamophobia, hate crimes, gun violence
Favorite quotes:
"I exist in a sort of no man's land. I wasn't born here but I don't remember much of Pakistan and I can't imagine what my life would be like if I still lived there."
"We can do everything the right way, follow all the rules, work hard but ultimately it all comes down to hoping things will work out - hoping that the next ignorant racist doesn't do even more damage. Somehow I cannot allow myself to hope that things will always be like this. They have to change - I have to make sure of it."
"I come from a culture that can be ultra conservative about certain things, and a country where being bisexual could land me in jail or worse. But my parents have never made me feel that I've disappointed or embarrassed them in any way. What they have done is accepted me unconditionally and I truly believe they do this because they themselves were shunned for choosing each other and know exactly how it feels to be judged and discriminated against because of who you love."
CW: Islamophobia, hate crimes, gun violence
hamckeon's review
2.0
While I find the topics important in the book, I really didn’t like the writing. Some of the pacing felt off and to me there it seemed like a lot of telling of the issues. However, I liked Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali so I’d definitely read other books by Khan.
lesbrary's review
4.0
Zara Hossain is Here surprised me. This is a short book, and it's written in a way that feels pared down to the essentials. When the story begins, Zara is experiencing Islamophobic harassment from the star football player at school, but she has a strong network and friends and family that supports her. This harassment escalates, though, and it takes the story in a darker and more complicated direction than I was expecting.
I appreciated the complexity that this story brought to the subject of immigration. It discusses the wait time and challenges to completing the application process, but also the luck involved. This chance encounter could erase all her family's years of being ideal citizens, including her father's work as a beloved pediatrician. An author's note explains the author's own family's immigration process was derailed by a clerical error, making all of their work null and void. Added to that is the layer of Zara's family wondering: is this worth it? Do I want to be in a country where so many people don't want me here? Even if most of the people they encounter are supportive, it just takes one armed racist or one well-connected bigot to dismantle their lives.
This is a book that doesn't provide any easy answers. It acknowledges that these are thorny, deeply flawed choices to have to make. Zara wants to stay and fight to make things better, but her mother is tired of fighting--and both of those are fair. This is a great addition to books that start conversations about immigration in the U.S., with the added layer of being an out queer immigrant from a country that is not accepting of queer people. I highly recommend it.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
I appreciated the complexity that this story brought to the subject of immigration. It discusses the wait time and challenges to completing the application process, but also the luck involved. This chance encounter could erase all her family's years of being ideal citizens, including her father's work as a beloved pediatrician. An author's note explains the author's own family's immigration process was derailed by a clerical error, making all of their work null and void. Added to that is the layer of Zara's family wondering: is this worth it? Do I want to be in a country where so many people don't want me here? Even if most of the people they encounter are supportive, it just takes one armed racist or one well-connected bigot to dismantle their lives.
This is a book that doesn't provide any easy answers. It acknowledges that these are thorny, deeply flawed choices to have to make. Zara wants to stay and fight to make things better, but her mother is tired of fighting--and both of those are fair. This is a great addition to books that start conversations about immigration in the U.S., with the added layer of being an out queer immigrant from a country that is not accepting of queer people. I highly recommend it.
Full review at the Lesbrary.