Scan barcode
A review by sc104906
Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos
3.0
Nadira and her family came to New York from Bangladesh on a traveler's visa, which expired years ago. In the aftermath of 9/11, all Muslims living in America become suspects for terrorism. Men are stopped, asked invasive questions, are held for unreasonable periods of time, and are deported. Knowing that they are currently illegally residing in America, Nadira's family flees to Canada ask for asylum. At the border they are denied admittance and Nadira's father is held in immigration for questioning. Nadira and her sister are sent back home to continue living life and succeeding in school, while their parents work through the immigration issues. But how can anyone go on living, with such uncertainty? The two girls fight for their family and their place in America.
I remember these issues going on after 9/11, but I didn't really understand everything going on (I was eleven at the time). However, after reading this, I have a better insight to what families like Nadira's had to go through. To live in constant fear that family members will be taken away or go missing without a trace, and having no real way to fight back or knowing when your family will be reunited. This book opened my eyes to issues I truly didn't have an understanding of and for that I am appreciative.
I felt that this book truly glossed over difficult issues. The ending felt too perfectly tied up and unrealistic. While it does give a sense of hope, I felt that hope could be conveyed in a more realistic way. Also, I wanted to be able to get into the character's mind deeper. I wanted to know her family and environment better. I feel that this novel only scratched the surface of what this story could hold. It is an issue that needs to be discussed and worked through, I just wished for more.
I remember these issues going on after 9/11, but I didn't really understand everything going on (I was eleven at the time). However, after reading this, I have a better insight to what families like Nadira's had to go through. To live in constant fear that family members will be taken away or go missing without a trace, and having no real way to fight back or knowing when your family will be reunited. This book opened my eyes to issues I truly didn't have an understanding of and for that I am appreciative.
I felt that this book truly glossed over difficult issues. The ending felt too perfectly tied up and unrealistic. While it does give a sense of hope, I felt that hope could be conveyed in a more realistic way. Also, I wanted to be able to get into the character's mind deeper. I wanted to know her family and environment better. I feel that this novel only scratched the surface of what this story could hold. It is an issue that needs to be discussed and worked through, I just wished for more.