Tammy Sierra
5361-Dr. Brock
Culture 6- Inclusive Literature
Khan, Hena. (2017). Amina’s voice. [EBook]New York, NY: Salaam Reads. ISBN
9781481492089.
Summary
Amina’s Voice is about a
6th grade Pakistani American girl who is beginning to stray away
from her Pakistani culture and traditions. Her uncle comes to visit, which she tries
to make a good impression on him. The story continues as Amina faces the many
challenges of middle school by making new friends, accepting others, and
staying true to one’s identity. Through the power of unity, her community pulls
through after a traumatic event has occurred.
Critical Analysis
Amina’s Voice showcases a
range of characters throughout the story. There is the main character’s parents
who is dealing with their children adjusting the American lifestyle, which in
their eyes in not a negative thing, but are trying to keep some Pakistani
traditions and culture alive in their children. Expectations of attending
Sunday school, the tradition of reciting the Ramadan are a few examples in the
story. The characters in the story are relatable as they are 6th
grade student going through issues such as making new friends, dealing with
insecurities, staying true to oneself, and young love. The best friend Soojin
is going through the process of becoming an American citizen, which provides a
relatable experience for some readers.
Pakistani culture
representation is present throughout the story for example, parents speak in
Arabic at times, the events of the mosques being attacked, Ramadan, and
traditional desserts from Pakistan.
Present day issues on terroristic
attacks is one of the problems in the story. Readers who are not of that
religion or have not experienced the unfortunate events of their place of
worship being burned down or attacked, gives insight to this real world
problem.
The association of strong
morals and values are shared throughout the story such as respecting elders/
others and high expectations of doing well in school. These morals and values
stand true especially when Amina’s uncle, who is from Pakistan and was not fond
of the idea of his brother uprooting the family to America, comes and visits.
The idea presenting a perfect family is one of the main concerns for Amina’s
father, but in the end Amina’s Uncle understands the blending of both the
Pakistani and American culture is not a bad thing after all.
Review Excerpts
Booklist
starred (February 1, 2017 (Vol. 113, No. 11))
Grades 3-6. Amina enjoys spending time with her best
friend Soojin and practicing her singing, as long as no one is around to hear
her. When Soojin starts talking about selecting a second, more American name
when she becomes a citizen, Amina feels she is starting to lose her friend,
especially as Soojin starts to befriend classmate Emily and talk about boys. To
add to Amina’s worries, her parents have signed her up to be part of a
statewide Quran recitation competition. While Amina has a beautiful singing
talent, she’s afraid she won’t do well and is searching for a way out. When the
Islamic Center is vandalized, however, Amina begins to discover things about her
family, her friends, her community, and herself that ultimately help her
through her difficulties, in particular, that the support she needs is all
around her. The Amina that readers meet at at the beginning of the story—a shy,
unsure young girl—gradually and beautifully blossoms into the confident girl
she longs to be. Khan gracefully balances portraying the unique features of
Amina’s cultural and religious background with familiar themes of family,
belonging, and friendship worries, which should resonate with a wide range of
readers. Written as beautifully as Amina’s voice surely is, this compassionate,
timely novel is highly recommended for all libraries.
Horn
Book Magazine (March/April, 2017)
Musically talented Amina struggles with shyness and,
since she started middle school, with issues of assimilation. Her best friend
Soojin, who is Korean American, is considering changing her name with the
encouragement of new friend Emily, which leaves Amina feeling self-conscious
about her own Muslim Pakistani American identity. Meanwhile, her conservative,
traditional uncle, Thaya Jaan, visiting from Pakistan, objects on religious
grounds to her singing and piano playing just as she’s trying to get up the
courage to perform in a school concert. After the local Islamic Center,
including the mosque, is vandalized, the text vacillates between believably
depicting the shaken-up congregants and spelling out a few too many ideas that
readers might otherwise figure out on their own. This first title from new
Muslim-focused imprint Salaam Reads is more successful in its depiction of
day-to-day interactions, its shifting middle-school personalities and
friendships, and its cozily busy community scenes. The result is a relatable
portrayal of a tween who wants to fit in, and who’s devoted to her faith even
amid her confusion about her family’s varied approaches to it. shoshana flax
Connections
For more great reads
about Pakistani American fiction, browse the following list below:
Faruqi, Saadia. Yasmin the Friend. ISBN 978151584644
Ferruolo, Jeanne. A Galaxy of Sea Stars. ISBN
9780374309091
Hena, Khan. Amina’s Song. ISBN 9781534459885
Saeed, Aisha. Bilal Cooks Daal. ISBN 978153448110
Brock, Rose (Ed.) (2018).
Hope nation. [ebook]. New York, NY:
Philomel Books. ISBN
9781524741846
Summary
Hope Nation is an
anthology of young adult authors who have written their experiences on what
defines hope in their eyes. Hope can be determined different ways, but for some
it is through their life choices, inspiration of others, determination, and
life events.
Critical Analysis
Readers of Hope Nation gain
the opportunity to read about hope perceived through the many authors who have
contributed to this anthology. What is Hope? Hope can be defined and
experienced in many ways. The experiences of hope as defined by these authors
is read through a variety of settings, events, and understandings that readers
can relate to.
The authors’ stories are
thought provoking that may provide a connection to its readers. Take Nicola
Yoon for example. Her life story when she married her Korean American husband.
She faced many challenges as she tried to get along with her in-laws. The
bigger issue was that she was not Korean American. Interracial couples is still
hard to accept for some individuals, but the hope Yoon believes is her in-laws
“they are more open to the work than they were before I came into their lives.
This counts for hope.”
Kate Hart’s idea of hope
is, “hope is in the work.” Many of us battle with what is and what isn’t, but
it is through the work that is put forth as we begin to make progress on our
goals. The message of Hart’s hope is you get what you put in and it has to
start from somewhere. We can all relate to this hope as we set forth small and
large goals in our journey of life.
Julie Murphy’s view on
hope is, “sometimes you just have to search for tiny hopes until tiny hopes
make bigger hopes.” For some of us that is all we can do. I think about the readers
of this book, myself included, feel hope has to begin somewhere even if it just
a glimmer.
We all come from
different backgrounds and walks of life, but after reading Hope Nation, I can’t
help but feel “not being the only one” in terms of finding the true meaning of
hope as it comes in many different shapes and forms.
Review Excerpts
Booklist
starred (April 15, 2018 (Vol. 114, No. 16)) – “Grades 9-12. Hope is
something many people struggle to understand, much less achieve, and teens are
no exception. In this anthology of 21 essays, 1 short story, and 1
conversation, 24 YA authors pour their deepest emotions into a variety of
interpretations of hope. Many write about survival in the current political
climate. Others address marginalization or speak to being overwhelmed by a
variety of internal and external influences. David Levithan reveals his
feelings about today’s politics via a short-short story set at a march complete
with pussy hats. Libba Bray shares a harrowing account of the car accident that
left her with a prosthetic eye. Atia Abawi opens up about the prejudice she
faced while working to become a TV news reporter. Romina Garber’s essay talks
about the immigrant experience, perceived pressures, sacrifices, and labels.
These and the other 20 authors come from diverse backgrounds that span race,
religion, economic class, family makeup and stability, experience, age, country
of birth, and sexual orientation. Yet they all overcame obstacles to their
dreams through hope. Attitudes and tone differ from one piece to the next, but
the essential point is that “hope is a decision,” and one that requires work.
This amazing outpouring of strength and honesty offers inspirational personal
accounts for every reader who wonders what to do when everything seems
impossible.”
Kirkus
Reviews (March 1, 2018) – “Hope Nation brings together 24 top young adult
authors who share personal essays about hope. Their audience is teenagers, but
this collection is a treasure trove of wisdom for older readers too. It
achieves this with stories from a wide array of perspectives and diverse
identities: the struggles of being Muslim in a post–9/11 world as described by
Aisha Saeed, the complex constrictions of life in the closet made plain by Alex
London, and the terrifying anxieties of being black in contemporary America by
Nic Stone, among others. Even if these authors’ stories do not exactly mirror
each of their readers’, together they open the door to an investigation of what
hope means. Although it can mean different things and present itself in
innumerable ways, the underlying message of this anthology is that it is
important to cling to hope: Use hope as a flashlight, a mantra, a walking
stick, a tool for every circumstance life throws at human beings. This work
comes at a crucial time, as many people struggle to find hope in a confusing
and disappointing world. A salve when days are bleak. (Nonfiction anthology. 14-adult)”
Connections
Similar reads such as Hope Nation are:
Giles, Lamar. Fresh Ink: An Anthology. ISBN 9781524766313
Havrilesky, Heather. What if this were enough? ISBN
9780385542890
Oh, Ellen. Flying Lessons & Other Stories. ISBN
9781101934623
Rhuday-Perkovich,
Olugbemisola. The Hero Next Door.
ISBN 9780525646334
Thompson, Laurie A. (2015). Emmanuel’s dream: A true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah. (Ill.Sean
Qualls). New York, NY: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 9780449817469.
Summary
Emmanuel was born with a
disability. His mother was determined to teach Emmanuel to do things on his own
as well as attend school. His mother falls ill and feels it is his obligation
to help support his family. He got a job as a server and a shoe-shiner and
provided for his family. He returns home to visit his dying mother.
Determination and his mother’s inspiring last words help Emmanuel prove to
everyone “disabled does not mean being unable”. He sets out to bicycle around
Gahanna, as he shows the world anything can be done.
Critical Analysis
With the focus on
disabilities this stories provides a powerful message on how anything is
possible. This story is a true story about Emmanuel and his determination to
prove to the world anything is possible with or without a disability. Born with
a deformed leg, his mother had high expectations from him even with a
disability.
When his family needed
him more than ever, he did not use his disability as a crutch, instead he took
on the responsibilities of his family and provided for them by getting two jobs
working away from home.
As his mother passes
away, he uses her words as a part of inspiration and proved to everyone
anything is possible, if you put your mind to it. Highlights of this story
gives those who are differently abled the inspiration they may be looking for,
and for those who are not abled differently, a deeper understanding of one
person’s outlook on being differently abled.
The illustrations provide
great visual representation of the text. For readers not familiar with West Africa,
Ghana to be exact the illustrations provide a small representation of that part
of the continent, from the clothing/ head wraps the women wear, to the unique
shapes of the houses, and the carrying of the baskets of food.
Review Excerpts
Booklist (February 15, 2015 (Vol. 111, No. 12))-“Grades K-2. Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah was born in Ghana
with a severely deformed leg, but with boundless self-determination, he became
a world-renowned athlete and activist. In the beginning of her straightforward,
free-verse text, Thompson only lightly touches on what it’s like for disabled
people in Ghana: “Most people thought he would be useless, or worse— / a
curse.” But most of Emmanuel’s childhood is characterized by discrimination.
When he tries to find work to support his sickly single mother, most people
“told him to go out and beg / like the other disabled people did.” Stalwart
Emmanuel, however, is resolute about making a difference, and he obtains a
bicycle to travel around Ghana, nearly 400 miles in 10 days, to prove just how
capable disabled people can be. Qualls’ illustrations—simple line drawings and
stylish, expressive figures filled with layers of rich, warm color on pale,
thickly painted backgrounds—capture Emmanuel’s triumphs beautifully. An
author’s note describes Emmanuel’s activism in more detail, particularly the
Persons with Disabilities Act, passed in Ghana following his bike ride.”
Horn Book Guide starred (Fall 2015)-“Yeboah, born in rural Ghana in 1977 with only one
functional leg, grew up to become a national hero and disabilities activist.
Learning to ride a bike brought him to the national stage: he embarked on a
400-mile bicycle ride through Ghana, spreading his message that "being
disabled does not mean being unable." The text is clearly written;
mixed-media illustrations match its upbeat tone.”
Connections
Polacco, Patricia. Thank
You, Mr. Falker. ISBN 9780399257629
Thomas, Pat. Don’t Call
Me Special: A First Look at Disability.
ISBN 9781415542170
Rogers, Fred. Extraordinary
Friends. ISBN 9780698118614
LaCour, Nina. (2017). We are okay. [Ebook]. New York, NY:
Dutton Books. ISBN
9780399538513
Summary
Marin a young girl who
lives with her grandfather goes through the unfortunate of losing her mother at
a young age. She believes the life her grandfather and paved for her, but when
he dies, she soon finds out the truth about who her mother is. Marin goes
through a period of betrayal and loneliness, but finds solace through her best
friend and her family.
Critical Analysis
We are okay can speak in
volumes to young adults. Characters are easily relatable. Marin has lost her only
guardian and experiences feelings of loneliness and betrayal. Attending college
on the other side of her home, provides much needed space away from her
reality.
The feeling of losing a
parent or guardian can take a toll on anyone especially young individuals. Marin
is also dealing with unspoken feelings towards her best friend. Many young adults
go through these feelings, but never speak up in fear of rejection. We Are Okay
shows that being open with others can help clear up uncertain situations and
feelings of this sort is okay to have. The insight the story offers can provide
empathy for those who have lost loved ones.
Friends show up in places
without even expecting them. For example her college roommate is exactly what
Marin needs as she settles in her dorm room. Her roommate doesn’t ask questions
about her past, takes her out, and provides all the little extras (clothes/food/outings)
without asking for anything in return.
Review Excerpts
Booklist
starred (December 1, 2016 (Vol. 113, No. 7)) - “Grades 9-12. It’s the
winter break during Marin’s first year at college, and she is facing the
holidays thousands of miles from her San Francisco home. Since her grandfather
died the previous summer, Marin feels set adrift. Not only has she lost Gramps,
her sole caretaker, but he’d been keeping secrets, and when she discovers the
truth, it shatters everything she believed was true about her life. Engulfed in
pain and feeling alone, she shuns her best friend Mabel’s numerous calls and
texts. But Mabel flies cross-country, determined to help her friend deal with
her grief. Marin is afraid that Mabel regrets the physical intimacy that had
grown between the two girls while she was still in California, and braces
herself for more heartache, but Mabel surprises her in more ways than one. With
the most delicate and loving strokes in Marin’s first-person narrative, LaCour
paints a captivating depiction of loss, bewilderment, and emotional paralysis.
Images of the icy winter surrounding Marin in New York contrast sharply with
her achingly vibrant memories of San Francisco. Raw and beautiful, this
portrait of a girl searching for both herself and a sense of home will resonate
with readers of LGBTQIA romances, particularly those with bisexual themes, and
the poignant and affecting exploration of grief and betrayal will enchant fans
of character-driven fiction.”
Horn Book
Guide (Fall 2017)- “Alone on a snowy campus for winter break during her
first year of college, Marin--who abruptly fled her California home for reasons
that only gradually become clear--anxiously awaits the arrival of her best
friend for a visit. Marin's harrowing, heartbreaking backstory illustrates the
complexities of a friendship that turns romantic and the knotty relationship
between grief and memory.”
Connections
Similar books are as follows:
Zentner, Jeff. Goodbye days: a novel. ISBN
9780553524079
Hurwin, Davida. A time for dancing. ISBN 9780316036344
Caletti, Deb. The last forever. ISBN 9781442450004
Forman, Gayle. I was here. ISBN 9780451471475
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