Mixing It

by Rosemary Hayes

Fatimah is a devout Muslim. Steve has never given much thought to matters of faith. The two of them happen to be walking down the same street when a terrorist bomb explodes. Steve is badly injured, and when the emergency services arrive they find Fatimah cradling his head in her lap, talking to him, willing him to stay alive. But the media is there too, and the next day their picture appears in every newspaper. “Romeo and Juliet!” and “Love Across the Divide!” scream the headlines. Then the threats and anonymous phone calls start. Can the two young people rise above the hatred and learn to understand one another? And what about the terrorists, who surely aren't doing nothing as Steve and Fatimah try to break down barriers? Author Rosemary Hayes researched Islam's background and Muslim attitudes with a group of devout Muslim teenage girls in Cambridge, England, to give this story a sense of authenticity and reality missing from so much of the discourse on this heated topic.

Genres: Young Adult, Drama

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Rosemary Hayes was brought up and educated in the UK but has also lived in France, America and Australia. She has written over fifty books for children many of which have won, or been shortlisted for awards and several translated into different languages. She has recently turned her hand to writing historical fiction for adults, and the first in this genre, the award winning 'The King's Command' is about the terror and tragedy of a Huguenot family living in Louis XIV's France. The second, 'Traitor's Game' is the first in the trilogy 'Soldier Spy' and follows the exploits of Will Fraser, disgraced soldier, lover and reluctant spy, during the Napoleonic Wars. For many years Rosemary was a reader for a well known Authors’ Advisory Service; she now runs creative writing courses and workshops for adults.
To find out more about Rosemary or to order her books, visit her website www.rosemaryhayes.co.uk
Follow her on Facebook and X @HayesRosemary

Reviews

[Tarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Two very worlds collide after a terrorist bomb goes off in England. A young Muslim girl called Fatimah is injured from the blast however she manages to save the life of a non-Muslim boy called Steve. When the emergency services & journalists arrive, they find Fatimah cradling Steve’s head in her lap. Their picture makes the front page. This angers the fundamentalist bombers & they start threatening both Fatimah’s & Steve’s families.

My Thoughts:

Mixing It is a brilliant book with a great plot, believable characters & an important message.

My Rating: * * * *

[Arris (areesespieces) · Rating 3 out of 5]

People have been killed all around the world because of terrorism. Terrorism still terrorizes people to this day and this book does an amazing job at showing its devastating effects. I do found some parts of the book stereotypical whatsoever.

[Kim Stock]

I will recommend this book to my middle school students. We are currently studying monotheistic religions and discussing the importance of learning about religions other than our own. This book will add to the conversation.

[Gaby Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely a good read, the only reason I'm giving it a 4 out 5 is because nothing is perfect, I just thought Hayes could have made it a bit longer cause I long to see what would happen in the future...
From a Christian girl point of view learning more about Muslim culture was very interesting.
I loved the layout of the book and the different point of views that you read keeps you on your toes, but my ultimate favorite part of this book was the anticipation, making you not want to put down this book.
Reading this book I payed no attention to my phone afraid I'd miss anything.

Just do yourself a favour if you enjoy reading about different cultures, or about bombings just READ THIS BOOK, and keep in mind it is a quick read, I finished it in 6hrs and I'm not the fastest reader.

[Deviki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books I've read and provided detailed reviews over the years but all data is lost after accidental deletion and GD refuse to restore it back.

Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes

[abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2

[Rocco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did a project on this book and found out all the emotion and intensity in the pages.Rosemary Hayes sure does know how to get the pages turning and the blood pumping. I do not normally enjoy these kinds of books but somehow Rosemary Hayes opened up my mind to a new understanding of the way i read. i would consider this a must read.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms Hayes heard that a group of Muslim Girls wanted their voices heard after bombings in England. She met with them and this book is the result.
Fatima and Aisha are on their way to school at the same time as Steve. As they pass a church which has held interfaith meetings the church explodes, killing Aisha and injuring Steve critically. Fatima is hurt but able to get to Aisha and Steve. Through quick thinking and bravery Fatima saves Steve's life. Unfortunately for her, photos are snapped of her uncovered head as she helps Steve. Fundamentalist bombers are enraged at this and threaten both families challenging their courage and their convictions.
This book definitely highlights mainstream and fundamentalist points of view for the curious, the twist ending is quite a surprise.

[Aamina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proper review coming soon. It is only eight minutes past twelve so that means it's ninth of March today. It's a shame I almost read this within a day. Technically it only took me a few hours