A review by nytephoenyx
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy

emotional lighthearted reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

I’m really glad this book exists.

Huda F Are You? is your quintessential tale of a teenager searching for her identity, but it’s not like any story you’ve read before. This graphic novel is told from the perspective of a hijabi-wearing Muslim girl, and if it’s not the first of its kind, it’s certainly one of the first. Fahmy tells her coming of age story with adequate helpings of humor and relatability, but woven into this narrative are bittersweet experiences, scores of microaggressions, and the realities of growing up Muslim in the United States.

If this already sounds like a lot to pack into one graphic novel, you would be right. Part of my white privileges that I never had to experience the sort of hate that Fahmy grew up with. Although she makes clear that the story is just inspired by her childhood, not fact, the nuances she has included are a painful reminder of how fear and racism create hateful divisions in our world. It’s a bigotry that nobody should have to deal with, and yet here we are. While I thought Fahmy did an excellent job balancing humor, awkwardness, and hard truth, it is these hard truths I keep coming back to. It was subtle, she didn’t dwell on it, and I think that rhythm of normality is what is sticking with me. It shouldn’t be normal.

Although it’s a simple story, written in a graphic format, Huda F Are You? would be excellent reading to add to a high school curriculum. If nothing else, this book belongs in school libraries where students who are experiencing the same sort of story, and those who want to make sure the same sort of story stops repeating have access to it. On top of learning about growing up Muslim in the United States, this is a story about friendships, mother daughter relationships, and being honest with ourselves. It’s a good read. I learned a little more about Muslim culture, but moreover, I found myself rooting for Huda and hoping that she would be okay.

Huda F Are You? is an easy one sitting read, and I highly recommend picking it up and supporting a Muslim American author. There’s a lot we can learn, but more importantly, Muslim women are so infrequently visible in literature. By supporting for me and picking up this book, we are showing the world that not only do they belong here, but their stories are valued. It’s not enough, but it’s a start. This is such a unique little book, from its subject matter to the format choice, and I really enjoyed it. I think you will too.
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