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A review by annamickreads
You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen
5.0
I really adore this book and it was such a quick read for me - once I started I couldn't stop!
"You Truly Assumed" follows three Black Muslim teens from across the U.S. The trio navigates creating a safe space for themselves online in the wake of a terror attack when the perpetrator is assumed to be Muslim. The three girls, Sabriya, Zakat, and Farah, lead very different lives, and it's easy to get pulled into their worlds and how they interact with their faith, their families, and their friends.
Although the story does examine deep racism and Islamophobia, what I appreciated most about this book was not only that it centered the girls and their feelings, but heavily on building community, holding space for others, and working together to create change in impactful ways.
The girls' interpersonal relationships with one another and their outside worlds (working to get into college, navigating romantic relationships, career choices, friendships and tough family situations) were really compelling and it was so lovely to see them all not only grow but feel empowered by the end of the novel.
Ultimately, what was really fantastic to me was the overall feeling of hope that "You Truly Assumed" leaves the reader with. People who are bigots in the book are held accountable for their actions, and while that cannot undo the hurt and fear these young women experienced, the girls have a newfound sense of community with each other and other Black Muslim teens from their blog. They know that they aren't alone, and that their words and feelings aren't unnoticed or disregarded.
TL;DR I think this book has so much value and I'm excited to see what Laila Sabreen writes next!!
"You Truly Assumed" follows three Black Muslim teens from across the U.S. The trio navigates creating a safe space for themselves online in the wake of a terror attack when the perpetrator is assumed to be Muslim. The three girls, Sabriya, Zakat, and Farah, lead very different lives, and it's easy to get pulled into their worlds and how they interact with their faith, their families, and their friends.
Although the story does examine deep racism and Islamophobia, what I appreciated most about this book was not only that it centered the girls and their feelings, but heavily on building community, holding space for others, and working together to create change in impactful ways.
The girls' interpersonal relationships with one another and their outside worlds (working to get into college, navigating romantic relationships, career choices, friendships and tough family situations) were really compelling and it was so lovely to see them all not only grow but feel empowered by the end of the novel.
Ultimately, what was really fantastic to me was the overall feeling of hope that "You Truly Assumed" leaves the reader with. People who are bigots in the book are held accountable for their actions, and while that cannot undo the hurt and fear these young women experienced, the girls have a newfound sense of community with each other and other Black Muslim teens from their blog. They know that they aren't alone, and that their words and feelings aren't unnoticed or disregarded.
TL;DR I think this book has so much value and I'm excited to see what Laila Sabreen writes next!!