Review by Booklist Review
Mariam has always tried her best to be an exemplary daughter, sister, and student. She takes pride in her accomplishments, even as she chafes against some of the restrictions she feels as the eldest child of Iraqi immigrants. But her new situation seems tailor-made to test her resolve: She has transferred to a private Catholic middle school, where everything feels like a challenge. How can she best demonstrate respect for Catholicism while acting as an ambassador for Islam and staying true to her faith, particularly after being cast as Mary in the Nativity play? She'll have to find a way to balance family drama, religious dilemmas, and a growing need to speak her own mind, but it won't be easy. The thoughtful story tackles enormous topics with care and contemplation, and Mariam's eldest-child frustrations and academic apprehensions are eminently relatable. Religious reflections are particularly appreciated, including Mariam's dawning realization that nothing is as black-and-white as she initially believed. A compassionate consideration of what it truly means to be part of a family, faith, and community.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
An Iraqi American Muslim tween contends with growing pains upon transferring to a Catholic middle school in this moving novel by Al-Marashi (First Comes Marriage, for adults), per an endnote informed by the author's childhood. Though sixth grader Mariam Hassan feels uneasy about her new school, her parents disregard the youth's emotions, instead encouraging Mariam to impress her classmates: "If you are good, then people will think good things about the Arabs and the Muslims." She resolves to run for class president but encounters tension upon learning that popular peer Lauren is also running, a realization that exacerbates Mariam's fears of being unable to make connections as the only Muslim student. When she's chosen to portray Mary in the school's upcoming Christmas play, what seems to Mariam like a surefire way to boost her popularity sours after Lauren points out that Islamic tenets around representing prophets could prevent Mariam from participating. The discovery that Mariam's beloved younger sister has a mass in her lung adds further complications to the plot of this nuanced children's debut, which features memorable characterization and realistic moral dilemmas. Depictions of interfaith collaboration--Mariam suggests reading a passage from the Quran during the Christmas production to "show how similar our stories are"--add texture to evergreen topics about belonging and overcoming hardships with support from family and friends. Ages 8--12. (Feb.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--A young Muslim girl attending a Catholic middle school ponders questions of faith and life while dealing with her sister's serious illness. On an ill-advised sleepover at a friend's house, Mariam is startled to see a picture of Jesus, knowing that her own Muslim faith forbids the portrayal of prophets. Her confusion grows as she starts at a new Catholic middle school, where such pictures and statues are common. Is she betraying her faith by looking at them? Will her classmates accept her even though she is not Catholic? How should she behave during Mass? These questions come to a head when Mariam presents an unscripted passage about Mary taken from the Quran during the annual Christmas play. Mariam gradually comes to understand that religion--as most things in life--is complicated and cannot be reduced to a simple right versus wrong understanding. Based on the author's own life, the book skillfully weaves a story of a typical middle school girl in a not-so-typical situation. Family relationships are portrayed as both loving and frustrating, especially when Mariam's beloved younger sister becomes ill and requires extra care and attention, leaving Mariam to try and make decisions on her own. Muslim customs and holidays, including Ramadan, are woven into the story, and Arabic phrases are used throughout. Includes an author's note. VERDICT A refreshing and thought-provoking look at a Muslim girl's very relatable middle school experience. Recommended.--Sue Morgan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A 12-year-old Iraqi American girl navigates Catholic school, grapples with questions of belonging, and frets over her younger sibling's health scare. Sixth grade proves challenging for Mariam Hassan, the only Muslim and Arab student in her school. In addition to wondering whether she's violating the tenets of her Islamic faith (surely that crucifix in her classroom is an example of idolatry?), she wants to make friends and find a way to stand out, all while feeling unseen at home and worrying that she's falling short academically. Her father's reminder that her successes reflect upon her community feels like an especially heavy burden. Being cast as Mary in the Christmas play--her chance to finally shine--turns out to be more complicated than it seems. And when doctors find a mass in Mariam's younger sister Salma's lung, Mariam throws herself into supporting her parents, trying to cope with her school problems on her own. Al-Marashi offers a well-honed exploration of the power of empathy and the ways in which we can find common ground across religious and cultural differences. Mariam's voice rings true, and her earnestly expressed, thoughtful reflections on faith will resonate as she balances family obligations and tries to discover who she truly is. In Mariam, Al-Marashi has crafted an intensely relatable protagonist--one who sometimes sags under the weight of others' expectations yet meets challenges with aplomb. A heartfelt and insightful celebration of family, identity, and connection. (author's note)(Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
