Reviewed by Rethinking Schools Book Author: “The trouble with world history is it started so long ago,” I complained to anyone who would listen as I wrestled with the best way to start the year for my 10th-grade World History students. In their first journal entries, many of my students had already told me they thought […]
Other Words for Home
Review Source: Notes from an Islamic School Librarian Book Author: SYNOPSIS: Jude is a 12-year-old girl living on the beach in Syria, watching American movies with her friends and hanging out at her dad’s store. With an older brother and a little sister on the way, life as told from her own perspective is pretty […]
Amira’s Picture Day
Reviewed by Ariana Hussain Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: Amira feels conflicted when she realizes that school picture day is the same day as Eid. Spotting the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan, Amira and her brother Ziyad know it means that there will be prayers, celebrations, and skipping school the following day. Amira’s […]
Boy, Everywhere
Book Review by Kirin Nabi Review Source: Islamic School Librarian Book Author: In a very crowded field of refugee-themed books, this 400 page middle grades/early middle school novel sets itself apart by really focusing on the quality of life enjoyed in Syria compared to the life of a refugee on the move and in getting […]
My Grandma and Me
Reviewed by Ariana Hussain Review Source: The Horn Book, Inc. Book Author: The unnamed narrator recalls her childhood growing up in Iran (where the author also grew up) with her beloved grandmother, who lives with the family. The child accompanies her grandma on her daily routines (“When she swept, I swept. When she cooked, I cooked. […]
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family
Review Source: Hijabi Librarians Book Author: Faizah admires older sister Asiya’s new, strikingly blue and beautiful first-day-hijab, finding inner strength and pride when facing bullies at school who make fun of it. This book discussion was conducted on May 12, 2019, and was based on the fold & gather, received from Little, Brown Books for Young […]