Priya Huq

Emotional, nuanced, and richly colored. This is a quite powerful graphic novel, and the themes/feelings are emphasized very nicely though the artwork. One of my favorite elements was that although Nisrin was alone in many ways (no one in her own household wears a headscarf, and she's starting all over at a new school) the reader gets to watch her build and reevaluate her relationships with those around here and move into this new era where, although there are challenges and scary things, she knows she has support and love.… (meer)

This is a graphic novel aimed at Middle-Grade readers though it should probably only be read by those that are around 13-14 yrs old and older. It would be good for you to read and discuss it with your child/children who read it and have a discussion with them about racism and violence. This story can be a bit distressing and disturbing to read as it deals with racism and such. The way it's portrayed with the illustrations in this graphic novel really adds to the emphasis on the events and emotions shown in this story.
It's about a 13-year-old girl who is attacked because she is wearing a hijab. When the attack happens she is with her best friend on their way home from junior high/middle school and she is just trying out wearing a hijab but isn't wearing it every day at this point. As she goes to therapy, talks, and thinks through things in the aftermath of the attack, she decides she wants to wear the hijab and learn more about her culture, her family, her religion, which her Grandmother helps teach her and answer her questions since her parents don't agree with her wanting to learn more or try wearing a hijab at first so the story deals with the family discussing and talking through things as well as the girl, Nisrin, working on figuring things out for herself on her own.
It's a good introduction to the topic of racism etc. and that can lead to further discussion and learning and trying to understand others, their cultures, beliefs, and way of life. Thanks to ABRAMS kids/Amulet Books for giving me a finished copy of this graphic novel.… (meer)

Young Adult graphic novel by Priya Huq details the traumatic end of school year event experienced by Nisrin, a first generation Bangladeshi American eighth grader and her best friend, Firuzeh as they walk home from school. How both girls deal with the experience as they progress to high school after the summer break filled with fear and therapy, makes up the bulk of the story.

Drawn in expressive water color illustrations, Nisrin's journey on her personal decision to wear hijab and the background of what her family went through under Pakistani government oppression in Bangladesh are brought to light. Interesting history lessons about Bangladesh are eye opening.… (meer)