Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Marion Lloyd Books (2006), Edition: 1, 351 pages
Description
Year Eleven at an exclusive prep school in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, would be tough enough, but it is further complicated for Amal when she decides to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, full-time as a badge of her faith--without losing her identity or sense of style.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Nickelini
In this critically acclaimed YA novel, 16 year old Australian-Palestinian-Muslim Amal decides to wear the hijab full-time. This is slightly complicated by the fact that she goes to a prestigious private school where she is the only Muslim. I thought the point of view would be interesting, and it
Based on the funny title and the accolades this book has received, I really expected to like it. My first hint that I wouldn’t was when my 14 year old daughter read it and kept telling me how annoying the characters were. About a quarter of the way through its 360 pages, I realized that I was going to love hating it instead.
Besides deciding to become a visibly more observant Muslim by wearing the veil and praying at school, Amal is busy hanging with her friends, sorting out her feelings about boys, shopping, and studying. Among her Muslim group are her secular relatives who just want to be Australian, a blonde British convert to Islam, a misogynist spoiled brat, and the hardcore extremist robot who is incapable of independent thought. Amal’s parents are—of course—perfect. These wise, compassionate, affectionate and always calm professionals make Mike and Carol Brady look like child abusers. Her peer group is richly diverse: she has a Japanese friend, and a Jewish friend, a friend from a broken home, and a slightly chubby friend who’s only dialogue is about her weight and latest diet. And of course her nemesis is the stereotypical pretty-but-slutty blonde-rich-mean girl. She even befriends the grumpy old Greek Orthodox woman next door. The message in all of this is clearly, in spite of our differences, we are all the same.
To make sure you really get this point, almost every page is chock-full of cultural references. Amal watches Friends and Survivor, listens to Celine Dion and other Top 40 music, reads Cosmo and Teen Vogue, and wears Winnie the Pooh Ts, Adidas and Revlon. This all felt very forced. By page 20, I was yelling “I get it! She’s wearing a hijab, but really we’re all the same!”
The dialogue was especially painful. Sure, there were some cute and funny lines. But most of the conversations were contrived, with the speakers taking turns lecturing the others on Important Facts about My Culture. In between the stilted dialogue, the author crammed in as many lessons as she could. Not exactly subtle. Because of course, other than our favourite foods and some charming foreign expressions, we are all the same.
Whenever the author veered toward a sensitive and serious subject, she threw some white-wash over it and contrived a happy compromise. The whole thing made me want to burst out singing “Kumbaya,” followed by “We are the World,” and then a chorus of Bob Marley’s “Every little thing is gonna be alright.” Oh, please.
Some may think that as a forty-something English lit major, I’m being unfair. After all I’m clearly not the target audience. However, my 14 year old and I discussed this at great length, and her thoughts weren’t much different. And besides, I think a well-written YA or children’s book should appeal to any age group.
My last big complaint is one that was beyond the author’s control. Despite being written by an Australian, there were a lot of phrases and references that had a strong US flavour. The book didn’t feel Australian. Then near the end, Amal made a comment about it being 58 degrees. Obviously Fahrenheit. Busted! My edition of this book had been translated into USese. Because of course readers in the US are too dumb to handle Australian cultural references and Australian references are too meaningless to preserve. Wow, that’s just offensive to everyone.
Recommended for: I would recommend this to readers who don’t mind being preached at, readers who know nothing about Muslims, or conversely, Muslim teens who would like a book with a Muslim lead character.
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was. Based on the funny title and the accolades this book has received, I really expected to like it. My first hint that I wouldn’t was when my 14 year old daughter read it and kept telling me how annoying the characters were. About a quarter of the way through its 360 pages, I realized that I was going to love hating it instead.
Besides deciding to become a visibly more observant Muslim by wearing the veil and praying at school, Amal is busy hanging with her friends, sorting out her feelings about boys, shopping, and studying. Among her Muslim group are her secular relatives who just want to be Australian, a blonde British convert to Islam, a misogynist spoiled brat, and the hardcore extremist robot who is incapable of independent thought. Amal’s parents are—of course—perfect. These wise, compassionate, affectionate and always calm professionals make Mike and Carol Brady look like child abusers. Her peer group is richly diverse: she has a Japanese friend, and a Jewish friend, a friend from a broken home, and a slightly chubby friend who’s only dialogue is about her weight and latest diet. And of course her nemesis is the stereotypical pretty-but-slutty blonde-rich-mean girl. She even befriends the grumpy old Greek Orthodox woman next door. The message in all of this is clearly, in spite of our differences, we are all the same.
To make sure you really get this point, almost every page is chock-full of cultural references. Amal watches Friends and Survivor, listens to Celine Dion and other Top 40 music, reads Cosmo and Teen Vogue, and wears Winnie the Pooh Ts, Adidas and Revlon. This all felt very forced. By page 20, I was yelling “I get it! She’s wearing a hijab, but really we’re all the same!”
The dialogue was especially painful. Sure, there were some cute and funny lines. But most of the conversations were contrived, with the speakers taking turns lecturing the others on Important Facts about My Culture. In between the stilted dialogue, the author crammed in as many lessons as she could. Not exactly subtle. Because of course, other than our favourite foods and some charming foreign expressions, we are all the same.
Whenever the author veered toward a sensitive and serious subject, she threw some white-wash over it and contrived a happy compromise. The whole thing made me want to burst out singing “Kumbaya,” followed by “We are the World,” and then a chorus of Bob Marley’s “Every little thing is gonna be alright.” Oh, please.
Some may think that as a forty-something English lit major, I’m being unfair. After all I’m clearly not the target audience. However, my 14 year old and I discussed this at great length, and her thoughts weren’t much different. And besides, I think a well-written YA or children’s book should appeal to any age group.
My last big complaint is one that was beyond the author’s control. Despite being written by an Australian, there were a lot of phrases and references that had a strong US flavour. The book didn’t feel Australian. Then near the end, Amal made a comment about it being 58 degrees. Obviously Fahrenheit. Busted! My edition of this book had been translated into USese. Because of course readers in the US are too dumb to handle Australian cultural references and Australian references are too meaningless to preserve. Wow, that’s just offensive to everyone.
Recommended for: I would recommend this to readers who don’t mind being preached at, readers who know nothing about Muslims, or conversely, Muslim teens who would like a book with a Muslim lead character.
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LibraryThing member frood42
When Australian-Palestinian high schooler Amal decides to wear the hijab full-time, she struggles with the reaction at her private school (where she is the only Muslim), and her identity as both a Muslim and an Australian.
Amal narrates the story with a voice that teenage girls will find authentic
Amal narrates the story with a voice that teenage girls will find authentic
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and familiar, regardless of religious background. She hangs out with her friends, agonizes over exams, and has a huge crush on a boy in her class. She loves her parents, but also considers them to be mortifyingly embarrassing. Her religious faith and ideals are strong, but she realistically struggles to uphold them-- she judges her friend's uneducated mother, lies, and can be quick to anger. Like most teens, she is hyper aware of the faults of others, but blind to her own, and as the book and Amal's journey of faith progresses, Amal's character develops, learning more about herself and her religion. The book is full of humor and pop culture references, and would be enjoyed by high school girls. Show Less
LibraryThing member CareBear36
While this book is far from perfect, I appreciate what the author attempted to do. In the book, a teenager fights against ignorance and stereotypes regarding Islam and Muslim identity. Facing issues such as mistaken oppression, the freedom of choice, and flat-out racism, I think this was a good
However, a lot of the events felt unrealistic, and willing suspension of disbelief aside, many of the fights and conversations seems unnatural and awkward.
Secondly, the language was surprisingly hypocritical. While the main character expects everyone to accept her choice to wear the hijab as a symbol of her faith, she sure criticizes people a lot. Slut shaming and skinny shaming remarks abound in almost every interaction with females outside of her friend group. With comments like, "They look like they need U.N. aid. One dollar a day. Let's sponsor them" (84) regarding a group of girls the friends see at a restaurant and jokes about eating disorders, it was difficult to view the characters as spokespeople of acceptance of all people. Even within the group of friends, body acceptances issues emerge and it is clear through many fat shaming remarks that females bodies are supposed to look a certain way, regardless of if they are wearing a hijab or not.
So I think the intentions of the author were good and she accomplished many things such as educating young readers about Islam in a way that is interesting, but at the same time reinforces high-school priorities of physical appearances along with slut shaming, skinny shaming, and fat shaming. A lot of the text relies on stereotypes and misguided assumptions. Also, as centric as the hijab was, not a lot of information was given on it regarding why it is a symbol of faith. The main character just calls it a symbol of faith and leaves it at that.
This book is a good start to acceptance and multiculturalism, but is still greatly lacking in some areas.
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starting point to educate audiences from a young age. I also liked that customs such as wearing the hijab, daily prayers, and Ramadan were included in the text to open the reader up to more information regarding Islam as well as some of the issues Muslim immigrants face such as assimilation and varying interpretations of the religion. However, a lot of the events felt unrealistic, and willing suspension of disbelief aside, many of the fights and conversations seems unnatural and awkward.
Secondly, the language was surprisingly hypocritical. While the main character expects everyone to accept her choice to wear the hijab as a symbol of her faith, she sure criticizes people a lot. Slut shaming and skinny shaming remarks abound in almost every interaction with females outside of her friend group. With comments like, "They look like they need U.N. aid. One dollar a day. Let's sponsor them" (84) regarding a group of girls the friends see at a restaurant and jokes about eating disorders, it was difficult to view the characters as spokespeople of acceptance of all people. Even within the group of friends, body acceptances issues emerge and it is clear through many fat shaming remarks that females bodies are supposed to look a certain way, regardless of if they are wearing a hijab or not.
So I think the intentions of the author were good and she accomplished many things such as educating young readers about Islam in a way that is interesting, but at the same time reinforces high-school priorities of physical appearances along with slut shaming, skinny shaming, and fat shaming. A lot of the text relies on stereotypes and misguided assumptions. Also, as centric as the hijab was, not a lot of information was given on it regarding why it is a symbol of faith. The main character just calls it a symbol of faith and leaves it at that.
This book is a good start to acceptance and multiculturalism, but is still greatly lacking in some areas.
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LibraryThing member chibimajo
Much lighter than I thought it would be. Amal decides to wear the hijab fulltime to show her faith in her religion. Unfortunately, since she lives in Australia and has a supportive Muslim community, there is not as much of the discrimination as she would face in America. Still, was a nice read.
LibraryThing member booksandwine
I've always been interested in learning about religions which are different from mine. I was raised Baptist. I've learned a lot about Judaism through books. The only books I've read pertaining to Islam though, were A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner by Khaled Housseni. When I saw a young
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adult book featuring a Muslim girl on the cover, my interest was picqued.Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah centers around a girl named Amal who makes the decision to wear her hijab fulltime. Like many other young adult books, this book focused upon identity. For many people, religion is a large part of their identity. I was fascinated by the trials Amal underwent as a result of wearing a simple religious article of clothing. One of my favorite things about this book was that it is told in first person. Amal is a lovely narrator. She's shallow at times, she's sarcastic and biting, but she can also be a very heartfelt person - sounds like a lot of sixteen year old girls to me. I especially liked how spunky Amal was. I liked that she wasn't too terribly bland.My biggest complaint with this book were that certain parts felt contrived. It seemed as though some parts were written strictly with the attempt to preach to the reader. Granted, the intended audience is obviously younger than me, but I feel like patronization is not necessary. I feel if Abdel-Fattah had shown the reader through character actions, rather than spell out her story's moral, it would have strengthened the story. I won't claim this book gives me the right to say I know what it is like to be a Muslim woman, but I do feel as though I can empathize with woman who face ignorance because of their decision to follow religious tradition. Show Less
LibraryThing member anniecase
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I appreciated the author's mission of differentiating between religion and culture and showing that Muslim teenagers can be just like anyone else. But this isn't the kind of teen book I would want to read anyway. The characters, situations and dialogue were
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all nauseating to me and I didn't feel the dilemma merited nearly 400 pages. It was a quick read and fairly entertaining, but not something I would probably recommend to others. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jthierer
I really liked the storyline, but the writing veered into afterschool special style platitudes about don't smoke, love yourself, etc. far too often for it to be truely readable.
LibraryThing member dinomiteL12
This book was really good. Not one of my all-time favorites, but probably good enough to make it into my top 20 books. September 11 caused a lot of dicrimination against Muslims, but this book puts a twist on that, and shows that discrimination from the point-of-view of a Muslim high school girl.
LibraryThing member robertson18
This book was laugh out-loud hilarious as the independent Amal adventures out into her life wearing her hijab. Her quest for identity will keep you laughing out loud and inspire you to follow your heart.
LibraryThing member MrsHillReads
This is an entertaining read about being a young Muslim girl in the world today. It's a great book to show how much alike teenage girls can be (they are interested in grades, family, boys, clothes, etc.) and yet how cultural differences can set them apart. I really like the book...stayed up late to
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finish it. Show Less
LibraryThing member kikilon
My first YA in a long time. I had seen the cover somewhere, and then noticed it at Borders and had been meaning to read it. I finally remembered to check my library for it. my librarian recommended it as an excellent book when I checked it out, and I have to agree. it's political in a lot of ways,
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but it's written in the sort of fun, light way you enjoy reading. it deals with a lot of issues I was only sort of aware of regarding Muslim girls when I grew up. it's an extremely clever book. And very funny. Show Less
LibraryThing member Gnork
it's funny and sad. a book with all the emotions you want.
LibraryThing member mikitchenlady
This book describes the life of a high school girl in Australia who decides to wear the hijab full-time and the challenges she faces. I felt that the author did not give us enough background to explain why Amal made her decision initially, but provided good detail as to her insights on what this
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decision really meant to her. The book is very YA chick-lit, but does delve into some more complicated issues about race and religion and how society deals with these, especially in light of such events as September 11, 2001 and subsequent terrorist attacks. It gave me another insight into the lives of someone whose religion is different than mine. I was struck by how casually some can wear a symbol, like a wearing a cross, but that a piece of fabric has such huge implications for how someone is viewed, views themselves, and is treated. Show Less
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Amal decides to become a full-timer and wear a hajib. She is really worried about how she'll be accepted and perceived in public, especially at her prep school, especially by her crush Adam. There is an interesting cast of characters, and Amal is a strong, likeable girl. Sometimes the message got a
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bit heavy-handed. However, it is not often you get a Muslim teenager as the narrator in a YA book. I enjoyed the book - a touching read with Amal learning a lot of life lessons during her junior year of high school. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lake_Oswego_UCC
Funny and thoughtful novel about a teen who decides to begin to wear a head scarf for religious reasons.
LibraryThing member meggyweg
Though this was overly didactic at times, I found all the characters and their situations to ring true. Muslims will be happy to see themselves portrayed in YA literature at last, as well -- they are very underrepresented. A far different perspective on Islam can be found in Paula Jolin's In the
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Name of God. Show Less
LibraryThing member ECraine
An engaging look at a sensitive subject – that of prejudice against the unfamiliar. Amal as the narrator allows the reader to understand the motivations and personal reasons for deciding to wear a hijab full time. The tone and text of the entire book is humorous, and the story is very funny in
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parts. The self-deprecating nature of the narrator is beneficial in telling the story. Sometimes the expository passages seem a little obvious and too self aware, as though the author/narrator knows she is writing a book. At times the flippancy of Amal is also a little over the top. However, overall this book does a great job in presenting personal, if foreign choices, advocating tolerance and acceptance, while at the same time portraying Amal as an average 21st Century teen. Show Less
LibraryThing member abirdsell
This was a funny and very up beat book. I loved this! It gave a perspective many people miss, and it can be read for all ages. This book was about a girls choice to wear a Hijab and how she deals with it in middle school. What a great book!
RECOMMENDED: 12 and up
RECOMMENDED: 12 and up
LibraryThing member theeclecticreview
A unique young adult fiction read that is told by Amal, a sixteen-year-old Palestinian-Australian girl attending a prep school. After returning from break at her new school, Amal decides to practice a custom of her Palestinian heritage to wear the Jijab and cover her body from head to toe.
This is a wonderful story that educates and delights readers about the strength of faith and love to follow what is true to yourself.
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Unusually, it doesn't seem to effect her fellow classmates too much. They are more curious than anything else. This is a wonderful story that educates and delights readers about the strength of faith and love to follow what is true to yourself.
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LibraryThing member ZenicaBosna
I loved this book. As I read it, I felt like I had a connection with the main character, Amal. I am a Muslim teenager too, and this book made me cry and laugh. It was great!
LibraryThing member JJReadings
Personal Response:
The protagonist, Amal, introduces readers to the religious, social and political issues that come along with choosing to wear a hijab, the traditional veil worn by Muslim women. The novel is very informative, yet does not come off as being overly didactic.
Curricular or
Excellent curriculum support for understanding the life of Muslim women and the wearing of the hijab - something that has been very controversial in Western countries.
This would be an ideal book for young adults studying social and political issues related to religion.
The protagonist, Amal, introduces readers to the religious, social and political issues that come along with choosing to wear a hijab, the traditional veil worn by Muslim women. The novel is very informative, yet does not come off as being overly didactic.
Curricular or
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Programming Connections:Excellent curriculum support for understanding the life of Muslim women and the wearing of the hijab - something that has been very controversial in Western countries.
This would be an ideal book for young adults studying social and political issues related to religion.
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LibraryThing member GaylDasherSmith
At last, a book about a teen in a hijab that seems real. Very refreshing. The cover and title don't begin to suggest the complexity inside.
LibraryThing member susiesharp
This was an interesting coming of age novel, when 16 yr old Amal makes the decision to wear her Hijab full time everyone seems to have something to say about her decision. I thought it was really interesting how many people assumed her parents were forcing her to wear it when actually she made the
Some of the things I enjoyed was how the normal problems seemed to be exaggerated because of her decision. My favorite conversation between Amal & her mother was when her mother was asking about a boy who invited her to a party and Amal says gees Mom it’s not like he’s Eminem and her mother said what does chocolate have to do with it.
There aren’t any other books out there like this one, but in the end it is a coming of age book. Dealing with racism, peer pressure, boys, bullying, my parents just don’t understand me, weight problems etc. it just so happens Amal is Muslim and has chosen this year to wear a hijab full time. But then there are the unique to her religion obstacles she has to deal with along with your everyday coming of age problems.
Other than the slow bit in the middle I really liked this book it was interesting take on the coming of age topic and as I said there isn’t much like it out there so it has its own voice. I will be trying this authors other books.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator Rebecca Macauley was really good.
3 ½ Stars
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decision herself and her parents actually tried to talk her out of it.Some of the things I enjoyed was how the normal problems seemed to be exaggerated because of her decision. My favorite conversation between Amal & her mother was when her mother was asking about a boy who invited her to a party and Amal says gees Mom it’s not like he’s Eminem and her mother said what does chocolate have to do with it.
There aren’t any other books out there like this one, but in the end it is a coming of age book. Dealing with racism, peer pressure, boys, bullying, my parents just don’t understand me, weight problems etc. it just so happens Amal is Muslim and has chosen this year to wear a hijab full time. But then there are the unique to her religion obstacles she has to deal with along with your everyday coming of age problems.
Other than the slow bit in the middle I really liked this book it was interesting take on the coming of age topic and as I said there isn’t much like it out there so it has its own voice. I will be trying this authors other books.
I listened to this on audio and the narrator Rebecca Macauley was really good.
3 ½ Stars
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LibraryThing member PKKingster
This is a young adult novel that revolves around a teenage Muslim, and her decision to put her faith on display and wear her hijab to school. This would be a great novel to assign in order to allow students to view some of the pressures of adolescence in another society, from another perspective. I
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think this novel would be beneficial for students to see what students of other cultures deal with, and how many of those issues are similar, while many are so wildly different. Combining the cultural relatibility with the cultural dissonance, and exploring how these interact within the student's mind, would be a great thing to delve into with this novel. Show Less
LibraryThing member BethKalb
Remember being a little bored, but overall a good book about an interesting subject, with which I have little knowledge or experience
Subjects
Awards
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2010)
Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2010)
CBCA Book of the Year (Notable Book — Older Readers — 2006)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2010)
The White Ravens (2006)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
351 p.; 5.08 inches
ISBN
0439950589 / 9780439950589