Khan, H. (2017). Amina’s voice. New York: Salaam Reads.
Overview: Amina is a Pakistani American Muslim. She is in middle school with her best friend Soojin. Amina loves music and singing. Their music class is going to be putting on a performance. She agrees to play the piano, but not sing. Throughout the school year she is forced to struggle through changes in relationships with her her best friend. Dealing with the uncomfortable feeling of jealousy when Emily is invited into their group. Amina has trouble forgiving Emily’s behavior from when they were younger in elementary school. Emily and her group of friends would make fun of Amina’s and Soojin’s cultural differences. The reader also sees an insight into the Islamic experience. I learned a lot of new vocabulary and activities that the Islamic religion experience in their lives. A reader will learn about the differences in others experiences by reading this book which can increase a readers empathy to Islamic people. In the story Amina’s families Islamic Center is vandalized and set on fire. This deeply upsets the Muslim community of Milwaukee. I like how the story concludes with her friends of different races and religions come together to support the Muslim Community. A powerful book for our youth to read to gain understanding of other people's experiences.
Level: Middle Grades
Written on reading level - Lexile 800
Genre - Realistic Fiction - Cultural Diversity, Friendship and Social Issues
Resources:
Lesson Plan for Accepting Islam
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