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Jannah is ^NOT Average
"Be someone who'll make me proud."
Following the words of her late grandmother, 16 years old Jannah Ismail had set her mind on becoming a medical doctor, much to the scepticism and disbelief of those around her. To prove her worth, Average Jane-nah must first, gain admission to the prestigious science stream in her school, despite her C in Mathematics.
Jannah's next course of actions resulted in her getting transferred to another school, grouped in the same class with the carefree, troublemaking art stream students of 4-D, who had, for unjustifiable reasons, been banished by the principal to a spooky and mysterious old house located at the back of the school for more than a year.
Miss Eleanor Yee, a young teacher aspiring to change the world, had tasked herself with several missions; to help Jannah become Doctor Jannah, and to bring 4-D back to their old classroom. For these to happen, she would need all the help she could get from the all-rounder 'superior' science streamers of 4-A, aka the school's own Marie Curies and Isaac Newtons, without the imperious principal meddling in their ways.
Following the words of her late grandmother, 16 years old Jannah Ismail had set her mind on becoming a medical doctor, much to the scepticism and disbelief of those around her. To prove her worth, Average Jane-nah must first, gain admission to the prestigious science stream in her school, despite her C in Mathematics.
Jannah's next course of actions resulted in her getting transferred to another school, grouped in the same class with the carefree, troublemaking art stream students of 4-D, who had, for unjustifiable reasons, been banished by the principal to a spooky and mysterious old house located at the back of the school for more than a year.
Miss Eleanor Yee, a young teacher aspiring to change the world, had tasked herself with several missions; to help Jannah become Doctor Jannah, and to bring 4-D back to their old classroom. For these to happen, she would need all the help she could get from the all-rounder 'superior' science streamers of 4-A, aka the school's own Marie Curies and Isaac Newtons, without the imperious principal meddling in their ways.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2025
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 1, 2025
Jannah is ^Not Average by Sarah Kushairi is a story about perseverance, fighting for all it takes to achieve one’s dreams and prove the naysayers wrong. This is such an inspiring book with so many great messages we each can be reminded of and eventually learn from, no matter how old we are.
I breezed through this book despite struggling with YA books lately (just me feeling I’m too old for this anymore). There’s just something comforting about this author’s writing that just made me want to continue reading until the very end. And for that, I’m so thankful since it made me rediscover just how much I enjoy this genre.
I love the themes in this book and it feels super relatable for us Malaysians. Each one of us have experienced what the characters went through which made it all the more impactful and still relevant to this day. The battle between art and science streams. The conclusion at the end made all the efforts by the characters worthwhile and I just love how wholesome the story ended up being. Side note: I really hate maths too!
I also enjoyed that this book not only focuses on the students but a teacher who genuinely loves her job and cares about her students. She’s the kind of teacher we all hoped to get, seriously.
I didn’t expect this book took a turn towards the end and that was truly shocking. But overall, I really enjoyed this story which would be perfect especially for the teenagers who are or will be facing the whirlwind of secondary school. The questions that will no doubt keep on circulating “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and feeling somewhat bleak by not having an answer in mind. I too always got stressed every time I encountered this question but I’d like to say that just enjoy the present and be surprised that the path you hoped to pursue but got detoured instead is ultimately for the best and are all your answered prayers.
All in all, I recommend you to read this book.
I breezed through this book despite struggling with YA books lately (just me feeling I’m too old for this anymore). There’s just something comforting about this author’s writing that just made me want to continue reading until the very end. And for that, I’m so thankful since it made me rediscover just how much I enjoy this genre.
I love the themes in this book and it feels super relatable for us Malaysians. Each one of us have experienced what the characters went through which made it all the more impactful and still relevant to this day. The battle between art and science streams. The conclusion at the end made all the efforts by the characters worthwhile and I just love how wholesome the story ended up being. Side note: I really hate maths too!
I also enjoyed that this book not only focuses on the students but a teacher who genuinely loves her job and cares about her students. She’s the kind of teacher we all hoped to get, seriously.
I didn’t expect this book took a turn towards the end and that was truly shocking. But overall, I really enjoyed this story which would be perfect especially for the teenagers who are or will be facing the whirlwind of secondary school. The questions that will no doubt keep on circulating “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and feeling somewhat bleak by not having an answer in mind. I too always got stressed every time I encountered this question but I’d like to say that just enjoy the present and be surprised that the path you hoped to pursue but got detoured instead is ultimately for the best and are all your answered prayers.
All in all, I recommend you to read this book.
January 13, 2026
What Jannah went through was exactly what I experienced when I was in Form 3. Having an ambition to become a doctor, I decided to take on the challenge of entering the science stream after getting good results in the PMR. But there you go… challenges. The headmaster did not allow it because I was an excellent student, and the school wanted to keep me to ensure good overall results. That’s the story.
As for Jannah, the challenges were pretty tough, I would say. From her current school to another, she had to adapt to a new environment for the sake of her dream and her grandmother’s words: “Be someone who will make me proud.” Her journey was not smooth, but I truly adored one figure along the way and she's her class teacher.
When I faced something similar to what Jannah went through, I didn’t have someone like Miss Yee. I struggled alone to defend what I wanted to become, supported only by my parents, who were willing to come to the school and convey their daughter’s ambition. (Sedih pulak.)
When Jannah wanted to pursue her studies in the science stream, there were conditions she had to fulfill. The arrival of Miss Yee, the 4-D class and her classmates, and additional Mathematics subject, that’s where her journey truly began.
This story reminds us of the courage we need to carry in order to achieve our dreams. Jannah’s character feels so close to me, as her story resembles mine in many ways. In a world where people chase after success, Jannah shows us that grades do not define our worth or limit our dreams but effort and determination do. And along the journey towards achieving those dreams, encouragement is essential, just as Miss Yee demonstrated.
Throughout my reading, I reflected deeply on my role as a teacher. Delivering lessons and measuring grades are not our only responsibilities, our role goes far beyond that. To see the potential in our students is a gift not everyone possesses. Lastly, this novel gently urges us, as teachers, to teach with empathy, to listen before judging, and to remember that every 'average' student carries an unseen dream waiting to be nurtured.
As for Jannah, the challenges were pretty tough, I would say. From her current school to another, she had to adapt to a new environment for the sake of her dream and her grandmother’s words: “Be someone who will make me proud.” Her journey was not smooth, but I truly adored one figure along the way and she's her class teacher.
When I faced something similar to what Jannah went through, I didn’t have someone like Miss Yee. I struggled alone to defend what I wanted to become, supported only by my parents, who were willing to come to the school and convey their daughter’s ambition. (Sedih pulak.)
When Jannah wanted to pursue her studies in the science stream, there were conditions she had to fulfill. The arrival of Miss Yee, the 4-D class and her classmates, and additional Mathematics subject, that’s where her journey truly began.
This story reminds us of the courage we need to carry in order to achieve our dreams. Jannah’s character feels so close to me, as her story resembles mine in many ways. In a world where people chase after success, Jannah shows us that grades do not define our worth or limit our dreams but effort and determination do. And along the journey towards achieving those dreams, encouragement is essential, just as Miss Yee demonstrated.
Throughout my reading, I reflected deeply on my role as a teacher. Delivering lessons and measuring grades are not our only responsibilities, our role goes far beyond that. To see the potential in our students is a gift not everyone possesses. Lastly, this novel gently urges us, as teachers, to teach with empathy, to listen before judging, and to remember that every 'average' student carries an unseen dream waiting to be nurtured.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews