I would give Does My Head Look Big In This?
To help her decide, she compiles a ‘To Wear or Not To Wear’ list with 2 columns. The column on the left contains the names of people who will not treat her like an outsider whilst the names in the right column are bound to make her life a living hell if she wears the hijab. Well, so far, the list looks balanced but it’s still a huge decision. Wearing the hijab is not a small matter. In her new school, it’s probably social suicide if somebody wears that every single day.
Anyway, I think you know that she does wear it on her first day of school and got a lot of stares from her schoolmates. Luckily she has the support of two close friends, Simone and Eileen. However, she’s disappointed when her crush, Adam Keane, failed to strike up a conversation with her during the first week of school. Tia and her obnoxious friends, on the other hand, are not exactly kind to her.
Amal also turns to her other two best friends from her old Hidaya Islamic College, Leila and Yasmeen. Leila is extremely intelligent but her mother can’t wait to marry her off while she’s still young. Therefore, there’ll be eligible suitors coming to dinner every time. Yasmeen is the carefree one and simply adores shopping.
As the story goes on, Amal, Simone, Eileen, Adam, and another boy, Josh become fast friends in school. They’ll spend lunch time together, joking with one another, and of course, waiting to see how things will turn out. Simone likes Josh but isn’t sure if he feels the same way. Adam seems to be giving Amal the signals and she’s giving them back.
I enjoyed reading about Amal’s grumpy Greek neighbour, Mrs. Vaselli and how she accuses Amal of doing things like throwing empty cigarette packs in her garden. Amal insists that she doesn’t smoke but Mrs. Vaselli will only repeat what she said. But as Amal gets to know the old lady better, she sees that there’s sadness behind her grouchiness.
It’s impressive that the author has managed to write about a serious issue like wearing the hijab in a light-hearted way. There are hilarious moments at the beginning of the book but as it progresses, it becomes serious as we follow Amal through her trials and tribulations. In the place where Amal lives, the act of covering one’s head in the name of religion is frowned upon as it is not part of their culture. However, in Malaysia, it is normal to see tudung-clad (tudung = headscarf) Muslim women walking around and nobody bats an eyelid.
So, to sum it up, being different is a tough thing and being ridiculed for being different makes things even tougher. In Amal’s case, even her parents fear for her if she chooses to wear the hijab full time. This book tells the story of a gutsy young girl who is determined to stick with her own beliefs even though it’s in a place where not everyone approves of them. Well, we don’t need everyone’s approval, do we?
Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Culture Squad, KittyCat, Alessandra
Popularity: 16%
Thanks for dropping by to my site… A very compete review. Amal does seem a bit stubborn in suddenly deciding to wear a hijab after so long not wearing one so publically.
GabrielT: Hi! Thanks for coming by my blog too.
Well, perhaps at 16, she’s feeling more mature and confident to wear the hijab full time!
Hi Josette! I agree with you that she’s one gutsy girl, standing up for her beliefs. It really isn’t easy standing out in a crowd these days but with the world more and more borderless, people will soon realize that variety is the spice of life
I should check out what others thought of the book too!
KittyCat: Hello…thanks for reading my review. That’s a nice way of describing ‘variety’!
thanks for viewing my page aka blog.Its nuthing compared to yours.Yeah,u give a complete review.Btw,do you know that randa abdul fattah has her second book called’ten things i hate about me’..if im not mistaken..u know about it?just saw it few days ago at one of the bookstores,,;)
Teha: Hi, yeah I know that book…I’m planning on buying it later! Will you get it too? Thanks for swinging by!
I like the idea of this book or at least the way you described it
I think that we need more of this kind of books, which relax and amuse, especially whent they focus on subjects that are often considered taboo or a source of discrimination.
PS Nice blog!
Booktamer Ama: Oh yeah, this is a wonderful book. I agree with you wholeheartedly! We need books like this, especially if it’s about other cultures where not many people know much or bother to know about.
Thanks for visiting!
This is dilemma of every Muslim girl livin in western world.
webdesign: I guess so…some schools are pretty strict with their dress code. I know it’s like that in France where some schools banned headscarves.
Hey, this book sounds good but is it a good one to do a book review on? I’m doing a book review on this book, what’s it about?
Thanks!
Lindsay: Hey there, yeah, this book is an excellent one to review on! Amal is the main character and she’s telling her story about being the only one in school wearing a hijab. It’s a really fun book to read. Can make you laugh and all that. Teenagers can connect with it as well.
Good luck with your review!
It touch your heart the way Amal face the facts of life bravely and stand up with determination for her belief ,Its great how she patiently go through with all up down turn twist.Its revealing conflicts of teens with their familys regardless of which bakground you come off.
mina: Yes, Amal is certainly a brave girl who holds tight onto her own beliefs. She’s a great character to look up to.