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sallytiffany's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed the beautiful illustrations! It’s absolutely stunning. The story is really well written and the characters engaging. The pictures were hard to follow sometimes though, and I often got confused on who was who.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Islamophobia
Minor: Colonisation and Injury/Injury detail
leaflibrary's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
A book about religion, prejudice, and trauma, which I really appreciate. But I was confused about what happened to whom, and felt like I lacked context to understand the girls' families.
sabrinaxlim's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I wish I understood it more. The way the author and illustrator put together this story didn’t make any chronological or thematic sense to me. It felt like it was supposed to be profound and I just didn’t get the memo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
A beautifully illustrated story. Nisrin works to overcome trauma, seeks to find connections to her family's culture, faces racism, builds friendship, & showcases her excellent anime taste. I loved this, & the references were a treat. There's also an illustrated recipe at the end, & I love those! Warnings for racism, hate crime, references to rape, panic attacks, & remembering living in war/political upheaval.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, Racism, Islamophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: War
Minor: Rape
neffcannon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
This is a powerful book.
Within the first handful of pages, Nisrin becomes the victim of a horrific hate crime. Nisrin is attacked while she and her friend walk home from their school's World Cultures Day presentations. There are not many words exchanged during this scene, but the illustrations give power to all that is not said. After this attack, Nisrin spends her summer isolated in her home, fearful of leaving its safety.
After visiting family before school started for the year, Nisrin decides that she is going to wear hijab and learn more about Islam. This initially outrages her grandfather and worries her mother and grandmother. Initially, her family does not tell Nisrin why her wearing hijab upsets them, and this leads to her feeling as though her voice is not being heard. Self-educating and asking questions, Nisrin becomes more and more confident in the person she is building herself up to be. As her family sees this, they start to tell her more about her family's history, including why they left Bangladesh.
Partnered with beautiful watercolor-style illustrations that bring so much to the words that are written as well as those that are not, this story is one that needs to be shared with young readers. Though this book can be extremely heavy during certain scenes, it brings light to discussions around identity exploration, familial history, and becoming happy in your own skin. Huq has crafted a beautiful story that will touch the lives of many readers in the future.
Within the first handful of pages, Nisrin becomes the victim of a horrific hate crime. Nisrin is attacked while she and her friend walk home from their school's World Cultures Day presentations. There are not many words exchanged during this scene, but the illustrations give power to all that is not said. After this attack, Nisrin spends her summer isolated in her home, fearful of leaving its safety.
After visiting family before school started for the year, Nisrin decides that she is going to wear hijab and learn more about Islam. This initially outrages her grandfather and worries her mother and grandmother. Initially, her family does not tell Nisrin why her wearing hijab upsets them, and this leads to her feeling as though her voice is not being heard. Self-educating and asking questions, Nisrin becomes more and more confident in the person she is building herself up to be. As her family sees this, they start to tell her more about her family's history, including why they left Bangladesh.
Partnered with beautiful watercolor-style illustrations that bring so much to the words that are written as well as those that are not, this story is one that needs to be shared with young readers. Though this book can be extremely heavy during certain scenes, it brings light to discussions around identity exploration, familial history, and becoming happy in your own skin. Huq has crafted a beautiful story that will touch the lives of many readers in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Hate crime, Racism, Xenophobia, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
Minor: Rape, Genocide, Sexual violence, and War
mirandanoble's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Loved this! The characters are fully developed, even the side characters. The trauma is depicted in a jarring way that forces you to pay attention. I read the story so fast and in one sitting (never done that before). It is both tender and gripping and a beautiful story about a girl with grit, resolution, determination, and passion!
rosegoldteacher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: War and Genocide
cleanbooksarebetter's review against another edition
4.0
In 2020, an Indian gas station worker threatened to shoot me, a niqabi, before I “had the chance to rob him”. The senseless ruthless violence faced by women choosing to veil is very real and needs to be discussed. Not just in the news or online, but in children’s and young adult books such as this one.
Let’s start with what I loved:
1. There’s no sugarcoating. Piece by Piece details a horrific account without sparing any of the necessary textures to adequately portray just how evil, disgusting and animalistic subhumans can be to women and girls who decide to cover.
2. Friendship is a prevailing theme here, and really encourages the reader to find strength in community during hard times.
3. The art. Enough said.
4. A female protagonist who isn’t letting anyone convince her to remove hijab. Period
5. These girls go to therapy. Therapy rocks, therapy is sometimes needed and there is no shame in getting the help you need.
What didnt I find particularly worthy?:
1. Nisrin’s mother. She’s the most complex character in my opinion, and made for tension whenever she was in the page. You never knew what to expect from her. But in a heated conversation with the grandfather, she leaves Nisrin to face him alone. If you can’t handle your dad, what makes you think your freshman daughter can? She failed to protect Nisrin many times.
2. At first glance this looks like a middle grade read, but due to strong language it’s more suited for high school up, racism, islamophobia, and violence aside. And I don’t mean “damn” and “hell”. It gets much worse. The author used strong language with taste in most contexts, however as a mother and former educator, I simply don’t see this as being suitable for anyone under 13.
3. The stubborn nationalist grandfather who is a shining example of how men’s senseless conflicts with each other can cost the life and future of women and children. And they show no consideration or remorse. He’s one of those old men who see women as spoils of war, a sacrifice he’s willing to make. My dislike of him isn’t a fault of the author— contrariwise she did well writing a dislikeable character. This is my personal grievance. I found him utterly repulsive and a dishonor to humanity. He showed no growth and made a pathetic attempt at the end to be a decent human but it was giving ✨ absolutely nothing✨.
Although heavy subjects are confronted with brutal honesty in this graphic novel, I closed it feeling unburdened. Finally, this story— my story and the story of many other girls choosing to cover— is being told with shining truth. A truth which does not get watered down for fear of offending or triggering. I am so grateful a book like this exists. It’s not perfect, but it is REALLY setting a new standard for other MG/YA books that try to tackle these topics. It puts them to shame.
I hope young girls read this seeing the reality of choosing to cover, and still feeling encouraged to be faithful in their decision because it is their right and their choice, no matter how uncomfortable it makes others feel!
Let’s start with what I loved:
1. There’s no sugarcoating. Piece by Piece details a horrific account without sparing any of the necessary textures to adequately portray just how evil, disgusting and animalistic subhumans can be to women and girls who decide to cover.
2. Friendship is a prevailing theme here, and really encourages the reader to find strength in community during hard times.
3. The art. Enough said.
4. A female protagonist who isn’t letting anyone convince her to remove hijab. Period
5. These girls go to therapy. Therapy rocks, therapy is sometimes needed and there is no shame in getting the help you need.
What didnt I find particularly worthy?:
1. Nisrin’s mother. She’s the most complex character in my opinion, and made for tension whenever she was in the page. You never knew what to expect from her. But in a heated conversation with the grandfather, she leaves Nisrin to face him alone. If you can’t handle your dad, what makes you think your freshman daughter can? She failed to protect Nisrin many times.
2. At first glance this looks like a middle grade read, but due to strong language it’s more suited for high school up, racism, islamophobia, and violence aside. And I don’t mean “damn” and “hell”. It gets much worse. The author used strong language with taste in most contexts, however as a mother and former educator, I simply don’t see this as being suitable for anyone under 13.
3. The stubborn nationalist grandfather who is a shining example of how men’s senseless conflicts with each other can cost the life and future of women and children. And they show no consideration or remorse. He’s one of those old men who see women as spoils of war, a sacrifice he’s willing to make. My dislike of him isn’t a fault of the author— contrariwise she did well writing a dislikeable character. This is my personal grievance. I found him utterly repulsive and a dishonor to humanity. He showed no growth and made a pathetic attempt at the end to be a decent human but it was giving ✨ absolutely nothing✨.
Although heavy subjects are confronted with brutal honesty in this graphic novel, I closed it feeling unburdened. Finally, this story— my story and the story of many other girls choosing to cover— is being told with shining truth. A truth which does not get watered down for fear of offending or triggering. I am so grateful a book like this exists. It’s not perfect, but it is REALLY setting a new standard for other MG/YA books that try to tackle these topics. It puts them to shame.
I hope young girls read this seeing the reality of choosing to cover, and still feeling encouraged to be faithful in their decision because it is their right and their choice, no matter how uncomfortable it makes others feel!
tabby2920's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Such a beautiful and emotional graphic novel! Really captures how a teen tries to find their identity and place but on their own terms. And I love the artwork! The use of watercolor illustration really made the story come to life!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Islamophobia