Isabella: A Girl of Muslim Spain

by Yahiya Emerick

Isabella. A young girl, Isabella, in Muslim Spain wants to learn more about Islam after hearing two Muslims speaking in a garden. This book is fast paced and a great reading experience. Now, while it is unfortunate that Muslim students do not have the opportunity to read Islamic literature in school, giving Isabella to a teenager at home is a great way to get them to read the classics, Islamic classics

Genres: Fiction, Islam, Muslims, Historical Fiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1996

About the author

Yahiya Emerick has been a prolific author and has written many articles that have been published in local as well as national magazines, both in North America and abroad. Amirah Publishing was founded by Yahiya Emerick in 1992 in order to further his ideal of publishing American-oriented literature on Islam. Much to his chagrin, Brother Yahiya found that many traditional Muslims were quite content with the old, outdated books imported from overseas and could not conceive of the need for literature specifically designed for the North American environment.

After having written two books, which received wide acclaim in local Muslim circles, Brother Yahiya looked in vain for a publisher willing to work with him in this vision. After many promises and vague arrangements, he decided to form his own company and work for Allah as best he knew how. Today, with the addition of Reshma Baig, Qasim Najar and Samina Baig to the team, Amirah Publishing is enjoying rapid growth and recognition among Muslims as a source for original, as well as improved literature, for use in a strictly American environment.

(courtesy islamfortiday.com)

Reviews

[asiya | アセヤ (free palestine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me paralyzed. Like, literally. *WARNING* This book does contain some scarring scenes.

I read this a while ago at a pretty young age, which I don't think was the right thing to do, given at how traumatizing the events that Isabella go through are, but I still loved it nonetheless. A HUGE recommend for people of all backgrounds and for all readers, I could totally relate to the main character and this book really shows how backwards the Inquisition people were to others- even their own daughters.

A must-read for history lovers! My dad had originally recommended this book to me, and I just had to read it 'cause my older cousin also read it as well, and they both liked it, so I gave it a shot! And it was worth it %100.

[Muhab · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book.

[Qasim Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabella starts a debate with the Muslims and end up having interest in Islam then her father the cardinal of Córdoba see’s a change in her character and try’s to kill the Muslim she liked and plans on sending Isabella to the convent.isabella found out from friar Micheal that the cardinal is in a secret order that disposes of people that are interested in Islam.In the plan to save umar they are caught and are put in prison but are saved by her two friends Maria and Rosa.Sheikh Samir sends an army to fight the order and win. The cardinal was put in prison and Isabella and her two friends convert to Islam. I liked this book because the author based it on religion and the disputes between the Muslims and the Christians in Muslim Spain I would recommend this book to people who like stories of religious issues.

[Israa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s difficult for me to place this book for a recommended age. The theology discussed is too complex for upper elementary or middle school, but the reading level is appropriate. Young readers definitely need an adult to help explain. The book starts out slow, but the action and adventure pick up. Christians uncertain about trinity, divinity, and atonement or how the Quran views Jesus would benefit from reading. Muslims will enjoy the representation as well.

[Zainab Bint Younus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Millennial Muslims of a certain stripe will recognize this unassuming book, written by one of the pioneers of Muslim fiction.

"Isabella: A Girl of Muslim Spain" by Yahiya Emerick was published in 1996, and tells the story of Isabella, the daughter of a Christian Cardinal in medieval Muslim Spain. Overhearing two Muslims discussing a point of Christian theology, Isabella is motivated to initiate a Cordoba-wide religious debate between the Church and the Muslim population... including the dashingly handsome Umar, whose overheard question spurred the entire chain of events.

Swept into an intrigue of Christian theology, Church panic, and a dastardly secret society, Isabella finds herself on a spiritual journey to the truth of Islam (and a thrilling rescue mission!).

I had adored this novel at age 12 and re-reading it 17 years later was both nostalgic and entertaining. The writing isn't as good as I'd remembered, but in truth, it had been revolutionary for its time. It's still got the bones of a good story, and with some tweaking, it has the potential for much better.

Also, interesting tidbit - turns out the original story was written by Maulana Muhammad Saeed Dehlvi, as a rather different take on the usual theological treatises for da'wah. (I know little else about it, though it would be interesting to learn more!)

[Uloveme1509 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in 7th grade or 8th grade when I read this book. To tell you the truth I never wanted to read it but my mother enjoyed reading it and she made me read it after her. At the moment I do not remember much from the book but I'll go back to it one day insha allah.

[Nabz388 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very soft story and beautiful ending with a good moral belief. I would read this again!:)

[Sharifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Its realy interesting.

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. MashaAllah.

[sarah_ekm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice book for young teens.

[samihah ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

originally read in 2011 and re-read many times since then <3. this was the first book that introduced me to muslim spain and I've been obsessed ever since

[A Kid Named Megan☮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really great!!Love the ending!!!!