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Fight Back
An empowering story about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it.
Aaliyah is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living in the Midlands. She's into books, shoes and her favourite K-pop boy band. She has always felt at home where she lives … until a terrorist attack at a concert in her area changes everything.
As racial tension increases, Aaliyah is bullied, but instead of hiding who she is, she decides to speak up and wear a hijab. She's proud of her identity, and wants to challenge people's misconceptions. But when her right to wear a hijab at school is questioned and she is attacked and intimidated, she feels isolated.
Aaliyah discovers she's not alone and that other young people from different backgrounds are also discriminated against because of their identity, and feel scared and judged. Should she try to blend in – or can she find allies to help her fight back? Channelling all of her bravery, Aaliyah decides to speak out.
Together, can Aaliyah and her friends halt the tide of hatred rippling through their community?
Internationally acclaimed author A. M. Dassu’s follow up to Boy, Everywhere is an essential read to encourage empathy, challenge stereotypes, explore prejudice, racism, Islamophobia and encourage positive action.
A story of hope, speaking up and the power of coming together in the face of hatred.
Aaliyah is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living in the Midlands. She's into books, shoes and her favourite K-pop boy band. She has always felt at home where she lives … until a terrorist attack at a concert in her area changes everything.
As racial tension increases, Aaliyah is bullied, but instead of hiding who she is, she decides to speak up and wear a hijab. She's proud of her identity, and wants to challenge people's misconceptions. But when her right to wear a hijab at school is questioned and she is attacked and intimidated, she feels isolated.
Aaliyah discovers she's not alone and that other young people from different backgrounds are also discriminated against because of their identity, and feel scared and judged. Should she try to blend in – or can she find allies to help her fight back? Channelling all of her bravery, Aaliyah decides to speak out.
Together, can Aaliyah and her friends halt the tide of hatred rippling through their community?
Internationally acclaimed author A. M. Dassu’s follow up to Boy, Everywhere is an essential read to encourage empathy, challenge stereotypes, explore prejudice, racism, Islamophobia and encourage positive action.
A story of hope, speaking up and the power of coming together in the face of hatred.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 2, 2022
10 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
A.M. Dassu
13 books55 followersA. M. Dassu is a multi award-winning writer of both non-fiction and fiction including the internationally acclaimed novel Boy, Everywhere, one of The Guardian’s, Bookriot’s, Kirkus’s, American Library Association's Booklist's, CLPE's and BookTrust’s Best Children’s Book of the Year. It has coveted starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist and Publisher’s Weekly and is also an American Library Association's Notable Book. Boy, Everywhere also featured as one of The Guardian’s Children’s Best New Novels on publication in October 2020, is on Amnesty’s Books That Inspire Activism list and has been listed for 25 awards including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and Carnegie Medal, and is the 2021 winner of The Little Rebels Award for Radical Fiction.
A. M. Dassu is former Deputy Editor, now Advisory Board member of Words & Pictures magazine for children's writers and illustrators, and a Director of Inclusive Minds, a unique organisation for people who are passionate about inclusion, diversity, equality, and accessibility in children’s literature. A. M. Dassu is patron of The Other Side of Hope, a new literary magazine edited by immigrants and refugees, which serves to celebrate the refugee and immigrant communities worldwide. She is also one of The National Literacy Trust‘s Connecting Stories campaign authors, aiming to help inspire a love of reading and writing in children and young people.
A. M. Dassu grew up in the Midlands dreaming of becoming a writer but studied economics instead and worked in marketing and project management before realising her dream. Her work has been published by The Huffington Post, Times Educational Supplement, SCOOP Magazine, Lee and Low Books, Old Barn Books, Scholastic, DK Books and Harper Collins. She writes books that challenge stereotypes, humanise the “other” and are full of empathy, hope and heart. You can also find her on Twitter @a_reflective or Instagram @a.m.dassu
A. M. Dassu is former Deputy Editor, now Advisory Board member of Words & Pictures magazine for children's writers and illustrators, and a Director of Inclusive Minds, a unique organisation for people who are passionate about inclusion, diversity, equality, and accessibility in children’s literature. A. M. Dassu is patron of The Other Side of Hope, a new literary magazine edited by immigrants and refugees, which serves to celebrate the refugee and immigrant communities worldwide. She is also one of The National Literacy Trust‘s Connecting Stories campaign authors, aiming to help inspire a love of reading and writing in children and young people.
A. M. Dassu grew up in the Midlands dreaming of becoming a writer but studied economics instead and worked in marketing and project management before realising her dream. Her work has been published by The Huffington Post, Times Educational Supplement, SCOOP Magazine, Lee and Low Books, Old Barn Books, Scholastic, DK Books and Harper Collins. She writes books that challenge stereotypes, humanise the “other” and are full of empathy, hope and heart. You can also find her on Twitter @a_reflective or Instagram @a.m.dassu
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 23, 2023
Absolutely outstanding. Give the author a round of applause 👏
Not only did she explain Islamaphobia in a very realistic, and eye opening way, but she made it very clear that it’s not just Islamaphobia that’s going around, but hate to others and their beautiful religions. We are all human. We bleed the same colour, and should not be discriminated, or hurt in any way possible. I’m glad I read this book, because it shows how much a person can go through with so much hate. People like Darren, Sasha and Jayden need to mature up, and see that religion is never the problem, but the people that have bad intentions, and are terrible themselves. The ones who have wicked hearts, it’s them who need to change. But it also showed me how much love, support and respect there is between communities who face the same challenges. We all do need to “fight back” for our freedom and rights, even when the bullies push us down, we should get back up, and show them that we’re strong.
💙
Not only did she explain Islamaphobia in a very realistic, and eye opening way, but she made it very clear that it’s not just Islamaphobia that’s going around, but hate to others and their beautiful religions. We are all human. We bleed the same colour, and should not be discriminated, or hurt in any way possible. I’m glad I read this book, because it shows how much a person can go through with so much hate. People like Darren, Sasha and Jayden need to mature up, and see that religion is never the problem, but the people that have bad intentions, and are terrible themselves. The ones who have wicked hearts, it’s them who need to change. But it also showed me how much love, support and respect there is between communities who face the same challenges. We all do need to “fight back” for our freedom and rights, even when the bullies push us down, we should get back up, and show them that we’re strong.
💙
June 3, 2023
My word, this was a powerful book!
A terrorist attack at a concert in the U.K. causes racism to flair at Aliyah’s school. She is bullied for representing her Islamic faith by wearing hijab, which leads to a ban of all religious symbols being worn at the school. When she and some other teens pull together to protest, they discover that there really is strength in numbers when it comes to standing up for themselves.
This book should be used as a tool in all classrooms, everywhere. The author’s notes at the end make it even more clear why events that led to the writing of this book should not be allowed to continue.
A terrorist attack at a concert in the U.K. causes racism to flair at Aliyah’s school. She is bullied for representing her Islamic faith by wearing hijab, which leads to a ban of all religious symbols being worn at the school. When she and some other teens pull together to protest, they discover that there really is strength in numbers when it comes to standing up for themselves.
This book should be used as a tool in all classrooms, everywhere. The author’s notes at the end make it even more clear why events that led to the writing of this book should not be allowed to continue.
September 9, 2022
Later that night, I sat on my bed and wondered how other Muslims coped with this sort of hate.
A truly empowering story with a Muslim girl at its heart, who has had enough of the world’s preconceptions of Muslims.
Aaliyah has such a real presence, a character you can’t help to want to relief of all her pains and worries. Seeing Aaliyah process and deal with the hate and bullying ends up being very educational of the Muslim community and faith.
This book is truly inspiring, not only for children that may be dealing with hate, bullying, racism and oppression from their peers and/or superiors, but all other readers that will feel driven to be more compassionate and pay more attention to their surroundings, helping out to raise minorities’ voices, to not remain idle the next time they witness someone openly hating on a person/community.
In the author’s note, A.M. Dassu tells us that “Through Fight Back I wanted to show a different side to a story the world thinks it knows” and that’s exact what she went and did so thoroughly well, Fight Back is a tale of compassion, of standing up for yourself and bringing people together to celebrate their differences. Essential reading!
A truly empowering story with a Muslim girl at its heart, who has had enough of the world’s preconceptions of Muslims.
Aaliyah has such a real presence, a character you can’t help to want to relief of all her pains and worries. Seeing Aaliyah process and deal with the hate and bullying ends up being very educational of the Muslim community and faith.
This book is truly inspiring, not only for children that may be dealing with hate, bullying, racism and oppression from their peers and/or superiors, but all other readers that will feel driven to be more compassionate and pay more attention to their surroundings, helping out to raise minorities’ voices, to not remain idle the next time they witness someone openly hating on a person/community.
In the author’s note, A.M. Dassu tells us that “Through Fight Back I wanted to show a different side to a story the world thinks it knows” and that’s exact what she went and did so thoroughly well, Fight Back is a tale of compassion, of standing up for yourself and bringing people together to celebrate their differences. Essential reading!
June 3, 2022
An excellent and timely story about hatred, racism, and the effects of far right beliefs on those they target. Like her previous book, A. M. Dassu has absolutely nailed the teenage dialogue, and written a really important tale here. Also, the parents in this book are not idiots (as they are in SO many MG books!), and are genuinely supportive of the main character, whilst being well rounded individuals themselves. Well worth the read.
April 3, 2023
A suitable exploration for middle grade students on the way terrorism affects and impacts all people. Our narrator Aaliyah confronts a lot of issues, but she's brave and smart.
Topical and thoughtful
Topical and thoughtful
November 25, 2024
An appropriate exploration for middle-grade students on how terrorism affects and impacts everyone.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
July 4, 2022
A much needed timely book about fighting back against Islamaphobia and Injustice.
Genre: Upper MG
Ages: 12-15
Available: Releases October 2022 in the US
Screening: a bomb goes off in a concert the mc attends, and a scary aftermath. Some islamaphobic altercations (these did read age appropriate)
Aaliyah is in Middle School and is excited to go to a concert with her friends. But when a bomb sets off by terrorists claiming to be Muslim, the concert is ruined and everyone gets so scared. Aaliyah also has to deal with her best friend’s brother telling her Islamaphobic remarks and claiming Muslims are terrorists. Aaliyah has a hard time coping after the attacks, and decides to wear hijab to help herself feel stronger. But when the school bans all religious symbols, Aaliyah has to band together with other people in her school and stand up for justice.
Wow, this story is so needed in these times. A world in which Muslims truly face Islamaphobia and kids face bullying needs books like this to teach empathy and also resilience.
I liked how the book contained actionable ways to take action in communities to change racist laws and rules. I also liked how it showed examples of coping after dealing with trauma.
Islam was very present in the book, with Aaliyah choosing hijab, praying, salaam, nafl shukr, and more!
I hope books like this will help teach children to stand up for each other and always stand up for what they believe in.
Genre: Upper MG
Ages: 12-15
Available: Releases October 2022 in the US
Screening: a bomb goes off in a concert the mc attends, and a scary aftermath. Some islamaphobic altercations (these did read age appropriate)
Aaliyah is in Middle School and is excited to go to a concert with her friends. But when a bomb sets off by terrorists claiming to be Muslim, the concert is ruined and everyone gets so scared. Aaliyah also has to deal with her best friend’s brother telling her Islamaphobic remarks and claiming Muslims are terrorists. Aaliyah has a hard time coping after the attacks, and decides to wear hijab to help herself feel stronger. But when the school bans all religious symbols, Aaliyah has to band together with other people in her school and stand up for justice.
Wow, this story is so needed in these times. A world in which Muslims truly face Islamaphobia and kids face bullying needs books like this to teach empathy and also resilience.
I liked how the book contained actionable ways to take action in communities to change racist laws and rules. I also liked how it showed examples of coping after dealing with trauma.
Islam was very present in the book, with Aaliyah choosing hijab, praying, salaam, nafl shukr, and more!
I hope books like this will help teach children to stand up for each other and always stand up for what they believe in.
July 2, 2022
Hijab bans in France and Quebec along with general islamophobia on the rise this book is quite relevant to the times we presently live in.
I enjoyed the character development of the main characters and her friends. As a mother of a 12-year-old daughter myself I felt that the children were portrayed quite accurately and in a relatable way. The parents were not portrayed as overly religious or hard to connect to. They were quite involved in their daughter's life and were supportive the way I would imagine or hope I would be myself towards my own children.
At the heart of it, this young girl is trying to prove how by having things such as religious bans we are actually causing more hatred amongst one another instead of allowing for an opportunity to learn from one another.
The one thing that bothered me about this book were the reasons why the protagonist chose to wear the hijab. She chose to put it on because she wanted to prove point and as the story went on the more people telling her to take it off, the more determined she became to keep it on.
The spiritual connection for putting on a hijab was not explained and I feel like this was a missed opportunity. It would have been a great way to show and enlighten others why women choose to put one on.
I enjoyed the character development of the main characters and her friends. As a mother of a 12-year-old daughter myself I felt that the children were portrayed quite accurately and in a relatable way. The parents were not portrayed as overly religious or hard to connect to. They were quite involved in their daughter's life and were supportive the way I would imagine or hope I would be myself towards my own children.
At the heart of it, this young girl is trying to prove how by having things such as religious bans we are actually causing more hatred amongst one another instead of allowing for an opportunity to learn from one another.
The one thing that bothered me about this book were the reasons why the protagonist chose to wear the hijab. She chose to put it on because she wanted to prove point and as the story went on the more people telling her to take it off, the more determined she became to keep it on.
The spiritual connection for putting on a hijab was not explained and I feel like this was a missed opportunity. It would have been a great way to show and enlighten others why women choose to put one on.
June 23, 2022
Aaliyah is an ordinary teenage girl. She is thrilled when her parents let her go to watch her favourite K-Pop band, but halfway through the concert there is a terrorist attack. Aaliyah is not physically injured but she is deeply traumatised and this is compounded by her friend's brother’s racist reaction to her after the bombing. And even worse, her friend starts avoiding her as though she agrees with him that all Muslims are terrorists. When her school decides to ban religious clothing, like her hijab, Aaliyah decides that it is time to stand up for herself and fight back.
It's a harrowing but vitally important subject - AM Dassu handles the terrorist incident itself and Aaliyah's response with great sensitivity. A wonderfully inspiring and empathy-inducing story - highly recommended.
It's a harrowing but vitally important subject - AM Dassu handles the terrorist incident itself and Aaliyah's response with great sensitivity. A wonderfully inspiring and empathy-inducing story - highly recommended.
July 27, 2022
3.5
At 384 pages, this middle grades book takes on hijab, terrorism, Islamophobia, finding your voice, and fighting back. At times the book was insightful and smoothly written, at other times the voice seemed childish and the writing directionless. The inconsistencies don't ultimately make the book good or bad for me, but rather very forgettable. I read the book over the span of three days, but honestly remember very little about the book without looking at my notes. The writing just isn't particularly strong for me. I never connected with the main character, and no it wasn't because I didn't agree with her wearing hijab out of solidarity, I accept that people make the decision for a variety of reasons, somehow I just never felt sympathetic to her as a person, or found myself cheering her on. Her naivety vacillated too much for me to find her believable, and the pacing of the book made it hard to get revved up. I think upper MG and middle school readers will be a better fit for the book with hate speech, assault, school bans, concert, musical references, and alt right indoctrination. I think the book is worth shelving in a classroom/school library and I'm considering it for a book club selection, but I'm skeptical that the book would be finished, even if started, by most readers without some incentive to see it through.
SYNOPSIS:
Aaliyah and her friends are at a K-pop concert when a terrorist attack kills and injures numerous people. A Muslim takes responsibility and with it coming on the heels of numerous London attacks, Islamophobia is at an all time high. For 13-year-old Aaliyah, it is a stranger yelling at her mother in a parking lot, her best friend Lisa ignoring her, and her brother getting riled up in retaliation, that gets her to wonder why her mother wears hijab, when she started, and decide to start covering herself, in solidarity. As a result for Aaliyah there is now increased bullying at school which results in physical assault, and teachers turning a blind-eye. It reaches an all time high when a religious display ban goes in to effect. Still dealing with trauma from witnessing horrific violence, Aaliyah decides to push back. Finding her inner strength and finding allies in a few good friends, and a secret cat adoption, she finds enough motivation to keep her plugging forward against the growing hate in her world. When she finally finds her voice will it be enough to overturn the ban and save her brother? Nope, not going to spoil it. The fight is not a one-and-done, as anyone who has gone up against racism and systemic oppression knows, and this fictional book keeps that integrity and doesn't give a happy ending, but rather hope and motivation.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that the Islam is centered in a consistent and empowering way. At times it is a perspective that I'm not completely onboard with, but a few pages later the insight is powerful and the messaging clear. I found it odd that Aaliyah doesn't know when her mom started covering or why, or anything about hijab, it comes off very immature. The book keeps culture and religion separate, hijab a choice, and I like that it was Aaliyah who wants to cover even when her parents try to talk/force her out of it. I find it a little off that she doesn't go to the mosque, but her father consulted with masjid folks when looking for advice for handling the alt right groups. She prays a few times in the book and it being mentioned is nice.
I like that the kids in the book think for themselves, and that the adults don't have all the answers. I enjoyed the passages asserting why the family came to the UK generations ago and why they have stayed, is powerful. A few of the characters that are really strong at the start don't ever get mentioned again. Which is fine, but I did wonder about Harpreet and why Yusuf's friends weren't contacted when Aaliyah was sleuthing about.
Loved the literary shout-outs, and the hypocrisy of allowing swim caps and hats but not hijab, but sigh, didn't love the cat thread. I think I just don't like fictional cats, I sound like a broken record. I think the inclusion was to show how much Aaliyah had to keep hidden in her life and how she needed comfort, but I don't know, sigh, I found the contrast of tone jarring to the pacing.
There is a glossary at the end, and the definition of Hijab is a bit odd, highlighting Western and South Asian terminology and not the Middle Eastern or even global use of the Arabic word. I don't know that the glossary is even needed as the book really tries to establish that the characters are a part of their society and don't need footnotes and differential treatment, so the inclusion of a glossary for me, diminished the point a bit.
FLAGS:
Assault, hate speech, bullying, fear, death, injuries, bombing, terrorist attack, lying, music, mention of a transgender/gender neutral student, a rainbow pin. Criticism of police, alt right indoctrination.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
The book is unique in showing affects of the alt right and not having it all work out in an MG book. It shows the anxiety and fear that Muslims often feel and the determination of not becoming victims. It also does a good job of showing that something like a religious symbolism ban doesn't just affect Muslims, but people of various faiths and culture, and thus when common ground is found, there are more allies that one often thinks. I think it could work for a middle school book club and undoubtedly the discussions would be great, but I am given pause with the main characters view of hijab as not being something in the Quran, but rather done in protest and in solidarity. I think once I see which kids are interested in book club I can gauge if it is something that we can work through and discuss or not.
At 384 pages, this middle grades book takes on hijab, terrorism, Islamophobia, finding your voice, and fighting back. At times the book was insightful and smoothly written, at other times the voice seemed childish and the writing directionless. The inconsistencies don't ultimately make the book good or bad for me, but rather very forgettable. I read the book over the span of three days, but honestly remember very little about the book without looking at my notes. The writing just isn't particularly strong for me. I never connected with the main character, and no it wasn't because I didn't agree with her wearing hijab out of solidarity, I accept that people make the decision for a variety of reasons, somehow I just never felt sympathetic to her as a person, or found myself cheering her on. Her naivety vacillated too much for me to find her believable, and the pacing of the book made it hard to get revved up. I think upper MG and middle school readers will be a better fit for the book with hate speech, assault, school bans, concert, musical references, and alt right indoctrination. I think the book is worth shelving in a classroom/school library and I'm considering it for a book club selection, but I'm skeptical that the book would be finished, even if started, by most readers without some incentive to see it through.
SYNOPSIS:
Aaliyah and her friends are at a K-pop concert when a terrorist attack kills and injures numerous people. A Muslim takes responsibility and with it coming on the heels of numerous London attacks, Islamophobia is at an all time high. For 13-year-old Aaliyah, it is a stranger yelling at her mother in a parking lot, her best friend Lisa ignoring her, and her brother getting riled up in retaliation, that gets her to wonder why her mother wears hijab, when she started, and decide to start covering herself, in solidarity. As a result for Aaliyah there is now increased bullying at school which results in physical assault, and teachers turning a blind-eye. It reaches an all time high when a religious display ban goes in to effect. Still dealing with trauma from witnessing horrific violence, Aaliyah decides to push back. Finding her inner strength and finding allies in a few good friends, and a secret cat adoption, she finds enough motivation to keep her plugging forward against the growing hate in her world. When she finally finds her voice will it be enough to overturn the ban and save her brother? Nope, not going to spoil it. The fight is not a one-and-done, as anyone who has gone up against racism and systemic oppression knows, and this fictional book keeps that integrity and doesn't give a happy ending, but rather hope and motivation.
WHY I LIKE IT:
I like that the Islam is centered in a consistent and empowering way. At times it is a perspective that I'm not completely onboard with, but a few pages later the insight is powerful and the messaging clear. I found it odd that Aaliyah doesn't know when her mom started covering or why, or anything about hijab, it comes off very immature. The book keeps culture and religion separate, hijab a choice, and I like that it was Aaliyah who wants to cover even when her parents try to talk/force her out of it. I find it a little off that she doesn't go to the mosque, but her father consulted with masjid folks when looking for advice for handling the alt right groups. She prays a few times in the book and it being mentioned is nice.
I like that the kids in the book think for themselves, and that the adults don't have all the answers. I enjoyed the passages asserting why the family came to the UK generations ago and why they have stayed, is powerful. A few of the characters that are really strong at the start don't ever get mentioned again. Which is fine, but I did wonder about Harpreet and why Yusuf's friends weren't contacted when Aaliyah was sleuthing about.
Loved the literary shout-outs, and the hypocrisy of allowing swim caps and hats but not hijab, but sigh, didn't love the cat thread. I think I just don't like fictional cats, I sound like a broken record. I think the inclusion was to show how much Aaliyah had to keep hidden in her life and how she needed comfort, but I don't know, sigh, I found the contrast of tone jarring to the pacing.
There is a glossary at the end, and the definition of Hijab is a bit odd, highlighting Western and South Asian terminology and not the Middle Eastern or even global use of the Arabic word. I don't know that the glossary is even needed as the book really tries to establish that the characters are a part of their society and don't need footnotes and differential treatment, so the inclusion of a glossary for me, diminished the point a bit.
FLAGS:
Assault, hate speech, bullying, fear, death, injuries, bombing, terrorist attack, lying, music, mention of a transgender/gender neutral student, a rainbow pin. Criticism of police, alt right indoctrination.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
The book is unique in showing affects of the alt right and not having it all work out in an MG book. It shows the anxiety and fear that Muslims often feel and the determination of not becoming victims. It also does a good job of showing that something like a religious symbolism ban doesn't just affect Muslims, but people of various faiths and culture, and thus when common ground is found, there are more allies that one often thinks. I think it could work for a middle school book club and undoubtedly the discussions would be great, but I am given pause with the main characters view of hijab as not being something in the Quran, but rather done in protest and in solidarity. I think once I see which kids are interested in book club I can gauge if it is something that we can work through and discuss or not.
July 26, 2023
Wow wow wow!! A powerful story about the increase in islamophobia after a terrorist attack. Dassu writes honestly and vividly about the struggles of a teenage girl finding herself and how she wants to express her own Muslim faith. The main message is to stand up for your beliefs and never give up!
February 7, 2024
Aaliyah and her friends can’t wait to see their favorite K-Pop band live in concert. Tragically, when the day finally comes, a terrorist attack targets the concert. Aaliyah and her close friends aren’t physically harmed, but the bombing still has major effects. Aaliyah’s family is Muslim, and White supremacy soon raises its ugly head. One of the major threats to Aaliyah’s family comes in the form of her best friend’s brother. In response to the increasing hostility towards Muslim folx, Aaliyah decides to start wearing a hijab, as way of increasing the visibility of positive representation of Muslims. Then, the school administrator bans students from wearing religious symbols.
Dassu’s story is a heartfelt demonstration of advocacy. Although this story is based in England, many of the principles of activism apply in the USA. The supporting cast is diverse and distinct, and backmatter addresses allyship and the author’s lived experience that is relevant to the story.
Dassu’s story is a heartfelt demonstration of advocacy. Although this story is based in England, many of the principles of activism apply in the USA. The supporting cast is diverse and distinct, and backmatter addresses allyship and the author’s lived experience that is relevant to the story.
July 7, 2024
Que livro maravilhoso. Estou sem palavras, do tanto que gostei deste livro.
Um livro que aborda a Islamofobia de uma forma tão inteligente, sensível e empática.
Recomendo a todas as pessoas a leitura deste livro.
Um livro juvenil, mas que deveria ser lido por todos os adultos.
Agora quero ler todas as obras de A. M. Dassu!! Obrigada por este livro incrível
Um livro que aborda a Islamofobia de uma forma tão inteligente, sensível e empática.
Recomendo a todas as pessoas a leitura deste livro.
Um livro juvenil, mas que deveria ser lido por todos os adultos.
Agora quero ler todas as obras de A. M. Dassu!! Obrigada por este livro incrível
December 29, 2025
This was a really good book for its target audience, but I think I fell slightly outside of that. It was wrapped up just a little too neatly, which was meant to be optimistic but just felt unrealistic.
March 4, 2023
Inspirational! I can't believe this is the level people go to. I can't believe that children have to 'fight' for what is a basic human right. #IStandWithAaliyah a story of hope, togetherness, difference and acceptance. This will inspire so many others to embrace the differences and see that they benefit society rather than hinder it.
October 31, 2023
Really good, one of the best books I've ever read!
Couldn't put it down and only took me 2 days to read. Would strongly recommend.
Couldn't put it down and only took me 2 days to read. Would strongly recommend.
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Aaliyah lives an hour from London with her mother, who is a lawyer, her father, who has just been promoted to the Head of Science position at his secondary school, and her older brother who is getting ready to go to university. After some incidents in London, there are a lot of people who are mistreating Muslims, and Aaliyah and her mother are accosted in the car park of a local grocery store and told to "go back home". Since bother Aaliyah and her mother were born in the UK, and her father came to the country from Tanzania when he was very young, this is very hurtful. Aaliyah goes to a concert with her best friends, and there is a bombing there. One of her friends, Lisa, has a brother who is very anti-Muslim, and says hateful things to her. Not wanting to wait for her friend's parents to pick them up, Aaliyah goes to her aunt and uncle's house nearby. The whole area is on high alert, and accusations fly about who might have caused the bombing that killed and injured many. A white supremacist organization keeps putting up flyers, and Aaliyah is concerned that her brother might be preparing to fight these dangerous groups. When an elderly neighbor goes into hospital and leaves his cat behind, Aaliyah finds the animal and hides it in her room, taking great comfort in Furball, even though her mother is very allergic. She also deals with her stress by thinking about wearing the hijab, so that she can show everyone that Muslims are good people. Her mother, who starting wearing the hijab in college, thinks that Aaliyah is too young and it is too dangerous. When her school bans the hijab, Aaliyah is very angry, and she and her friends plan a protest. How will she be able to stand up for herself when so many things are against her?
Strengths: Aaliyah's challenges with her friends are very realistically portrayed, and I loved the fact that this was upper middle grade, since she was able to have a lot of freedom that a younger child would not. Her reasons for wanting to wear the hijab are well considered, and this decision is something that a lot of middle school age readers will be considering. The book moves quickly and has a lot of thought provoking topics.
Weaknesses: This felt very British, and I'm not sure how appealing that will be to my students. I adore books set in England, but it's a tricky balance to find ones my students will enjoy. (Liz Pichon's Tom Gates books have a lot of fans, but Onjali Rauf's don't circulate well.)
What I really think: This had an important message, and is a good book to pair with Bajaj's Count Me In or Kelkar's As American as Paneer Pie.
Aaliyah lives an hour from London with her mother, who is a lawyer, her father, who has just been promoted to the Head of Science position at his secondary school, and her older brother who is getting ready to go to university. After some incidents in London, there are a lot of people who are mistreating Muslims, and Aaliyah and her mother are accosted in the car park of a local grocery store and told to "go back home". Since bother Aaliyah and her mother were born in the UK, and her father came to the country from Tanzania when he was very young, this is very hurtful. Aaliyah goes to a concert with her best friends, and there is a bombing there. One of her friends, Lisa, has a brother who is very anti-Muslim, and says hateful things to her. Not wanting to wait for her friend's parents to pick them up, Aaliyah goes to her aunt and uncle's house nearby. The whole area is on high alert, and accusations fly about who might have caused the bombing that killed and injured many. A white supremacist organization keeps putting up flyers, and Aaliyah is concerned that her brother might be preparing to fight these dangerous groups. When an elderly neighbor goes into hospital and leaves his cat behind, Aaliyah finds the animal and hides it in her room, taking great comfort in Furball, even though her mother is very allergic. She also deals with her stress by thinking about wearing the hijab, so that she can show everyone that Muslims are good people. Her mother, who starting wearing the hijab in college, thinks that Aaliyah is too young and it is too dangerous. When her school bans the hijab, Aaliyah is very angry, and she and her friends plan a protest. How will she be able to stand up for herself when so many things are against her?
Strengths: Aaliyah's challenges with her friends are very realistically portrayed, and I loved the fact that this was upper middle grade, since she was able to have a lot of freedom that a younger child would not. Her reasons for wanting to wear the hijab are well considered, and this decision is something that a lot of middle school age readers will be considering. The book moves quickly and has a lot of thought provoking topics.
Weaknesses: This felt very British, and I'm not sure how appealing that will be to my students. I adore books set in England, but it's a tricky balance to find ones my students will enjoy. (Liz Pichon's Tom Gates books have a lot of fans, but Onjali Rauf's don't circulate well.)
What I really think: This had an important message, and is a good book to pair with Bajaj's Count Me In or Kelkar's As American as Paneer Pie.
January 22, 2023
A timely, realistic look at what it is like to experience overt racism. In this case, Islamophobia.
Set in the U.K., a middle grade girl (who happens to be Muslim) is celebrating with her diverse circle of friends at a K-pop concert when a bomb goes off. The fallout is tragic: several people are killed, one friend's injuries result in her leg needing amputation, everyone at the concert experiencing some sort of trauma/PTSD, and the community becomes riddled with Islamophobia. Aaliyah becomes a target of hate by classmates, neighbors, and her best friend's older brother. To show her community that all Muslims are not evil, she decides to wear a hijab to remind them (and herself) of the tenets of her faith. As the hate continues to manifest around her, Aaliyah and her friends make plans to confront racism head on at their school.
Inspired by the Ariana Grande concert incident in 2017, Dassu has crafted an amazing peek into what it is like to be the recipient of rabid hate. The book is filled with a diverse cast of people, each sharing some of their experiences with hate. Aaliyah is a likeable teen - impulsive, at times insecure, and empathetic - that readers will find utterly relatable. Aaliyah's loving family is well-fleshed out and an important part of her formative years, as she goes to them to ask questions - while also holding back questions and issues that she knows what their response will be (like a typical teen). To set this firmly in the U.K., Dassu fills the text with charming details of places, events, and terms. Additionally, she includes much information and cultural markers about the daily life of a Muslim family (ex. prayers throughout the day, foods eaten/avoided, familial nicknames, Urdu vocabulary, and Muslim traditions. Dassu does an admirable job of showing haters not as being evil, rather they are flawed and misguided. While there are a large number of hate incidents, finger-pointing, and microaggressions included in the story, she also includes moments of light humor - particularly when Aaliyah rebels and adopts a cat against her Mother's wishes (without realizing it is serving as a pet therapy animal for her PTSD).
Dassu includes a couple of pages with solid suggestions on how to be a good ally for someone who is the recipient of unjust treatment, a glossary of terms (including those used in British households, Muslim households, and Urdu/Persian/Arabic), and an Author's Note.
A tale relevant to our turbulent times.
Highly Recommended for grades 5-9.
Set in the U.K., a middle grade girl (who happens to be Muslim) is celebrating with her diverse circle of friends at a K-pop concert when a bomb goes off. The fallout is tragic: several people are killed, one friend's injuries result in her leg needing amputation, everyone at the concert experiencing some sort of trauma/PTSD, and the community becomes riddled with Islamophobia. Aaliyah becomes a target of hate by classmates, neighbors, and her best friend's older brother. To show her community that all Muslims are not evil, she decides to wear a hijab to remind them (and herself) of the tenets of her faith. As the hate continues to manifest around her, Aaliyah and her friends make plans to confront racism head on at their school.
Inspired by the Ariana Grande concert incident in 2017, Dassu has crafted an amazing peek into what it is like to be the recipient of rabid hate. The book is filled with a diverse cast of people, each sharing some of their experiences with hate. Aaliyah is a likeable teen - impulsive, at times insecure, and empathetic - that readers will find utterly relatable. Aaliyah's loving family is well-fleshed out and an important part of her formative years, as she goes to them to ask questions - while also holding back questions and issues that she knows what their response will be (like a typical teen). To set this firmly in the U.K., Dassu fills the text with charming details of places, events, and terms. Additionally, she includes much information and cultural markers about the daily life of a Muslim family (ex. prayers throughout the day, foods eaten/avoided, familial nicknames, Urdu vocabulary, and Muslim traditions. Dassu does an admirable job of showing haters not as being evil, rather they are flawed and misguided. While there are a large number of hate incidents, finger-pointing, and microaggressions included in the story, she also includes moments of light humor - particularly when Aaliyah rebels and adopts a cat against her Mother's wishes (without realizing it is serving as a pet therapy animal for her PTSD).
Dassu includes a couple of pages with solid suggestions on how to be a good ally for someone who is the recipient of unjust treatment, a glossary of terms (including those used in British households, Muslim households, and Urdu/Persian/Arabic), and an Author's Note.
A tale relevant to our turbulent times.
Highly Recommended for grades 5-9.
October 27, 2023
What I liked about the book was the voice of the children. I think it really resonated with the early-teen spirit and aspirations. Though the book focuses on islamophobia, which is very relevant it seemed a bit odd that Aaliyah did not feel curious about the roots of it. She choose to express her identity based on protecting the perception of her religion. But as a young person, maybe not completely reason or question different sides and perceptions. She wanted the world to understand her perception, but was not sympathetic to the people who developed the phobia. I think this book would have been more bold if Aaliyah tried to question the role of religion and toy with the ideas of identifying ourselves by religion. Instead of being a book about being a defender it could have been a book about questioning fear and dogma on both sides of the table. What I mean is Aaliyah mentions that islam gives women the choice to choose to wear a Hijab. But I wonder why she did not wonder why many women and men had to look at islam to find the choice for this matter rests with the woman. If by any chance it had been mentioned differently what would she do? Why did she not think that she did not have to refer to islam to decide certain things. Why did she not think that she actually questioned the racists but she could also question religion as a phenomenon. I recall questioning many rules and dogma present in my own religion as a child and I did it simply out of rational reasoning.
Unfortunately it just remained a book about choices people make and that is always subjective. Aaliyah came across as just another normal girl and nothing made me root for her cause. At the end of the day Aaliyah did come from a much more progressive Muslim society, but having witnessed very conservative Muslims that can have quite an impact on specially women I disagree that Aaliyah 's fight is completely relevant in all contexts. It is maybe the smallest fight in the world a woman born into a religion may have.
Unfortunately it just remained a book about choices people make and that is always subjective. Aaliyah came across as just another normal girl and nothing made me root for her cause. At the end of the day Aaliyah did come from a much more progressive Muslim society, but having witnessed very conservative Muslims that can have quite an impact on specially women I disagree that Aaliyah 's fight is completely relevant in all contexts. It is maybe the smallest fight in the world a woman born into a religion may have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
An excellent story about a young Muslim girl in the UK and how she deals with the Islamaphobia she experiences in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in her town.
Aaliyah and her two best friends Lisa and Sukhi, are super excited to be going to a K-pop concert in their hometown - and even the fact that the tickets are for seats right at the back can't dampen their enthusiasm.
But when a terrorist bomb goes off at the end of the concert, they are thankful that they weren't closer to the front, where people have been killed and maimed.
Aaliyah finds that her life after the bombing takes a turn for the worse. Lisa stops talking to her, her parents are increasingly on edge and she starts getting cruel and racist notes in her locker.
But rather than sit back and let the racism happen, Aaliyah wants to stand up for herself and her fellow Muslims. She starts wearing a hijab in an attempt to fight back.
This is a timely and relevant novel which deals with tough themes. Aaliyah is a strong character and although some of the supporting cast of characters are a tad stereotypical (Lisa's brother Darren, who seems to be a Neo-Nazi, and also Jayden, the very typical school bull) for the most part the story flows and it certainly gets you thinking.
Aaliyah and her two best friends Lisa and Sukhi, are super excited to be going to a K-pop concert in their hometown - and even the fact that the tickets are for seats right at the back can't dampen their enthusiasm.
But when a terrorist bomb goes off at the end of the concert, they are thankful that they weren't closer to the front, where people have been killed and maimed.
Aaliyah finds that her life after the bombing takes a turn for the worse. Lisa stops talking to her, her parents are increasingly on edge and she starts getting cruel and racist notes in her locker.
But rather than sit back and let the racism happen, Aaliyah wants to stand up for herself and her fellow Muslims. She starts wearing a hijab in an attempt to fight back.
This is a timely and relevant novel which deals with tough themes. Aaliyah is a strong character and although some of the supporting cast of characters are a tad stereotypical (Lisa's brother Darren, who seems to be a Neo-Nazi, and also Jayden, the very typical school bull) for the most part the story flows and it certainly gets you thinking.
October 15, 2022
This follows along a common theme in children's books this year: standing up to authority against hateful words and actions from community members. It's the British version of books like Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution, Unfadeable, and Attack of the Black Rectangles, so the attacks are largely focused on the Muslim community. The author's note acknowledges that most schools aren't this bad as far as authorities ignoring racial hate speech and crimes in school, but also cautions that hate can spread rapidly. I didn't like this quite as much as Dassu's earlier work Boy Everywhere, but I still found myself easily swept up by the eighth graders' quest for inclusion and empathy.
February 19, 2023
This is one of the best books I’ve read about such a tough topic. I loved how Aaliyah began to stand up for herself. Her trauma came through so clearly, and I was rooting for her the whole time. The supporting characters were also well-developed, especially Yusuf and Darren’s storyline. I was so invested in the story and finished it quickly, hoping for a positive ending. I really liked where it ended since it left it open a bit, showing we still have room for growth. I also really liked how Aaliyah realized so many others face hatred for their religion, race, or ethnicity. That was another great storyline to bring in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2023
Cawpile: 8.14 4.5*
A really good middle grade book fighting racial stigma.
Aaliyah gets mixed up in a terrorist attack on her town and in the aftermath finds herself treated not as a victim but as a suspect, and also as a suspect for every little thing wrong with her school, town, and country, simply because of the colour of her skin and the religion she follows. Sadly when this is pointed out to the school the results are less than optimal and Aaliyah decides to take things into her own hands.
A really good middle grade book fighting racial stigma.
Aaliyah gets mixed up in a terrorist attack on her town and in the aftermath finds herself treated not as a victim but as a suspect, and also as a suspect for every little thing wrong with her school, town, and country, simply because of the colour of her skin and the religion she follows. Sadly when this is pointed out to the school the results are less than optimal and Aaliyah decides to take things into her own hands.
November 7, 2023
A suspenseful, thought provoking, page turner about standing up for yourself, your peers and the world.
When a bomb goes of during a concert, where 13 year old Aaliyah was enjoying time with her friends, the hate for Muslims grows. Aaliyah experiences bullying because of her religion and even her teachers start to question her. She starts a protest with her friends but the next days her American friend, Lisa hasn’t answered her messages and calls. Aaliyah and her best friend Sukhi start thinking that Lisa’s brother, a racist, is holding her back because he believes she shouldn’t spend time with “terrorists”.
Dassu has written a touching novel that makes you feel as if you were Aaliyah and going through all the troubles she and so many other people are going through.
When a bomb goes of during a concert, where 13 year old Aaliyah was enjoying time with her friends, the hate for Muslims grows. Aaliyah experiences bullying because of her religion and even her teachers start to question her. She starts a protest with her friends but the next days her American friend, Lisa hasn’t answered her messages and calls. Aaliyah and her best friend Sukhi start thinking that Lisa’s brother, a racist, is holding her back because he believes she shouldn’t spend time with “terrorists”.
Dassu has written a touching novel that makes you feel as if you were Aaliyah and going through all the troubles she and so many other people are going through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2023
4.25*
I particularly appreciated Dassu’s author note at the end, writing about her research process, and how things seem so much tougher for her children than it was for her when she was younger. In regards to bigotry, I feel it’s so important to address these issues and show our similarities as well as celebrating our individuality (including religious beliefs) so it’s lovely to have more books including and exploring this
I particularly appreciated Dassu’s author note at the end, writing about her research process, and how things seem so much tougher for her children than it was for her when she was younger. In regards to bigotry, I feel it’s so important to address these issues and show our similarities as well as celebrating our individuality (including religious beliefs) so it’s lovely to have more books including and exploring this
July 20, 2022
Iv never read a book that iv related to extremely as I have with this book. Its taken me back to when what I was experiencing was really bad. It still happens but only now and again. However reading this book kinda gave me some closure and some healing which I never expected. It made me so proud to see the characters stand up and to do what I wished I had done. Truly an inspiring book.
September 11, 2023
This book was good. Just right for the middle school audience it was written to reach. The story was compelling and the message was spot on. Aaliyah was a good protagonist and her family and friends were awesome support characters. Not everything was perfect, but the story made up for the few flaws that it had.
February 14, 2023
I thought this was absolutely lovely and a very important story that I hope reaches lots of young people. A.M Dassu's writing style is extremely accessible but also engaging with a realistic protagonist in Aaliyah.
October 3, 2023
Our school definitely needs to add this to one of the MS core libraries!! Very empowering, informative, creatively written and somewhat relatable. 10/10 text and message, 100% would recommend to anyone.
December 30, 2024
This is such an important book for kids and some adults. It explains how some kids feel and that being repressed is not ok... Whether religiously or just expressing themselves. There is a need to accept everyone for who they are and stop judging others. Bans don't protect they say separation is ok.
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