SYNOPSIS

Amina, a Pakistani-American sixth grader, is facing many challenges.

Her best friend, Soojin, wants to replace her Korean name with an “American” one.

Soojin is also becoming close with a girl neither of them had liked before.

Amina’s older brother repeatedly clashes with his parents’ rules and expectations.

And the family welcomes a stressful guest from Pakistan – Amina’s uncle who believes that Islam forbids music, Amina’s true passion.

After an act of vandalism destroys the Islamic Center, the town’s community comes out to assist its Muslim families, ensuring that the Center’s annual carnival is a celebration of unity, solidarity and cross-cultural respect.

PERFECT AGE 9-13

We love

• There are many teachable moments in Amina’s experiences – how she challenges her friend’s name change decision, betrays someone’s secret, musters the courage to speak in public, etc.
• The tenderness of describing an immigrant family’s traditions and how they clash with “back home” and the “American way”
• Imam Malik – a wonderful role model and kind soul, especially toward Mustafa

WATCH OUT FOR (Language, Big / Sensitive Topics, Outdated Concepts):

• An Islamic center and its mosque are destroyed, possibly as an act of hate – an excellent opportunity to address the subject of intolerance with your reader, before or after they read the book (proposed question below).

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• What did you think of the way Amina handled herself after spilling Emily’s secret about Justin? What would you have done in Amina’s place?
• Can you think of some moments when someone around you struck you as different from yourself? What made them different? What thoughts or feelings did these differences prompt in you?
• If Soojin came to you and told you she wanted to change her name what would you advise her? Why?
• Tell me what you make of the looting of the Islamic Center. Have you heard of instances like that in real life? Do you want to learn more about this topic?