Fight Back

Product Information

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... 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. Good has won every fairy-tale contest with Evil for centuries, but a dark sorcerer’s scheme to turn the tables comes to fruition in this ponderous closer.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. 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. 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. 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.

An essential read to encourage empathy, challenging stereotypes, exploring prejudice, racism, Islamophobia and positive action. A.M. Dassu is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Boy, Everywhere, A story of hope, speaking up and the power of coming together in the face of hatred. Perfect for readers of Elle McNicoll and Helen Rutter. "A major, much needed voice in UK children's fiction." Alex Wheatle, author of Cane Warriors and Crongton Knights . "One of the best, most relevant, most important writers we have in the UK today." Liz Kessler, author of When the World was Ours "A. M. Dassu serves up an important, necessary book about racism and identity." Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant. An essential read to encourage empathy, challenging stereotypes, exploring prejudice, racism, Islamophobia and positive action. A.M. Dassu is the award-winning author of the critically acclaimed Boy, Everywhere. A story of hope, speaking up and the power of coming together in the face of hatred. Perfect for readers of Elle McNicoll and Helen Rutter.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.

Screening: a bomb goes off in a concert the mc attends, and a scary aftermath. Some islamaphobic altercations (these did read age appropriate) The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... Read it, share it, shout about it. The world needs this book." Kathryn Evans, author of More of Me "A.M. 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. Author Anna Kemp introduces The Hollow Hills, the sequel to her dark magical tale, Into Goblyn Wood.

Published

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.