Disclaimer: I got this ARC in exchange for an honest review.


I love that this book is from a young boy's perspective who is a Muslim! TW: Islamophobia, bullying, and racism. This book tackled a lot of different subjects beautifully. I highly recommend picking it up if you were a fan of David Yoon's Frankly in Love. However, this is meant for a younger audience or for those who enjoy reading Middle Grade! C.S. Lewis has this really good quote: "But someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. " I believe this quote fits pretty well with this Middle-Grade book. It's the kind of book I wish I had growing up and it also talks about getting into STEM which isn't talked about enough in fiction books with Muslim protagonists. I'm super ecstatic to read Saadia's next book!!

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. Living in Houston and having participated in robotics competitions as a nerdy high schooler, I was excited to read this book. The themes of bullying, friendship, and courage really shine through. Even 20 years after 9/11, Muslims are still being subjected to Islamaphobia and hate. The messages that love overcomes hate, standing up for others, and loving one's neighbor are great topics of discussion here. Of course, those into STEM and robotics will enjoy the story as well. Middle school boys will also identify with the male protagonist. I appreciate that this novel is clean, and I will be purchasing a few copies for our school in Houston. While I wish something more had been done to the bully in the story, the ending was satisfying enough.

This book was fantastic! I highly recommended it for middle grades. It tells the story of Yusuf a Muslim boy in a small town in Texas who loves science, robotics and just started middle school. He and other Muslim's in the town begin to be harassed by a group of white supremacists who are trying to get them to stop building their Mosque and do not want them in their town. Throughout the story the author addresses the impact of 9/11 on Muslim's today, Islamophobia, racism, bias and the impact of these on a young boy. Yusuf encounters multiple situations where he has to decide if he is going to stand up for what is right or stand back and watch someone be mistreated. Yusuf shows the reader the value of standing up for others and speaking out for injustice. I loved reading at the end how this was inspired by a true story and seeing how the author used the true story that felt rather hopeless to create a new story that inspires hope.

I wish that I were a writer myself so I could give justice for how I feel after reading this book. These words have forever changed me as a human and as a teacher. I’ve been so blind to so much. So much that I really shouldn’t have been blind to.

In the book, it is the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and a group of people spewing hate are trying to let their stories ring louder than anyone else’s. Yusuf is receiving hate notes in his locker and his dad’s shop has been vandalized. His Uncle gives him a journal he kept during the time right before and after the 9/11 tragedy. We see how so much is still the same 20 years later, but Yusuf also finds hope for something different. For Love to truly conquer hate.

CAWPILE Rating: 10