In many ways this book reads like a reboot of the author's 2007 book Ask Me No Questions, there are sprinkled in references to Islamic culture, but nothing about the characters or the author truly show the book to be a Muslim story, or Islam centered.   Much like Ask Me No Questions, the book is told through a female protagonist who is forced to figure out why a parent is detained, what to do now that they are on their own with a sibling, and figuring out why they are being forced to leave America if they are not undocumented, but asylum seekers.  And much like that book, the protagonist is really whiney, entitled, and annoying, as is the mother.  This 256 page middle school/young YA read draws drama from the 2019 Muslim ban and ICE raids, but is more a character based plot than a political focused telling.  Because of the similarities to the earlier published book, and the lack of Islam in the text, and being unclear regarding the faith of the author, I'm just going to write a quick review and move on. The book is a quick read it has flashbacks to Pakistan and in those scenes mentions mosques, Eid, and Ramadan in passing. A few cultural side characters mutter an inshaAllah on occasion and there is a clear #muslimintheillustrations like side character that is remarked to wear a scarf on her head named Amirah, but is barely in the story.  Worth being aware of for younger readers is romance, kissing, making out, between Rania and Carlos, and *SPOILER* that the mother left her husband for another man years earlier. 

SYNOPSIS:

Rania is weeks away from high school graduation when an ICE raid casts a wide net and picks up her mother as collateral.  Rania has always known they check in regularly to appeal their status, but with her journalist father killed years earlier in Pakistan, the family fled to America for safety, Kamal was even born in America, it has never been a concern.  As her mother gets taken away, Rania starts to wonder about the secrets her mother has always kept and the truth starts to unravel.  In the process though, protective services takes her and her brother to a shelter where they meet Carlos and escape.  Once on the run, they attend Rania's graduation, spend months on Cape Cod, gain protection from a congregation at a synagogue all while trying to piece together Rania's truth.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I like that it touches on the Muslim Ban and the fear that gripped the nation for anyone in the process of being a citizen or trying to travel to the flagged countries.  I wish it would have actually spent a bit more time on that.  The title of the book makes it sound like the family is completely alone and isolated, yet, they are constantly surrounded by people that are looking out for them and sympathetic in their choice not to ask too many questions.  I struggled with liking Rania, when you write a book about people that may or may not have broken a law, regardless of if you agree with the law or not, you really have to make it compelling. You have to get behind the character and their motives, and I never did.  I did not understand why she for example finally finds her uncle or an aunt and doesn't demand answers, it is like, I'm tired, I'll nap and we will talk later, no, not believable.  Additionally, I could not get a feel for the younger brother, I get that he is sheltered, but he reads like he is four years old, not that he is in second grade at best, I think he might be in fourth.  Really all over the place.  And the Rania and Carlos relationship, should have stayed awkward.  They at times are like siblings, and when the line is crossed, Carlos even remarks on it, and I think having it be weird, but clear that they have a bond, would have been a much stronger choice.  A lot of the plot holes make the story drag such as what was the problems at the bank for the uncle, but because it is short, I think older readers will get through it. I don't think I'd suggest anyone read the book, but it isn't so awful that I would warn too harshly against it.   The characters don't identify or act Muslim, so when they kiss or lie, it isn't a reflection on the religion.

FLAGS:

Kissing, lying, running away, making-out. Muslim friend sneaking out, drinking, partying, stereotypical oppressive Muslim dad and meek mom.  

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I don't know that I would throw the book out, but I wouldn't actively seek to acquire it to shelve either.

This was such an enjoyable read! The story that Marina Budhos put together was beautiful. A must read young adult book following the story of what it is like to be undocumented, afraid and always on the run. In light of the world we live in, it gives a perspective to what many people in the US are facing on daily basis. A great book to have available for young readers in schools. This is a story that lends well to further discussions regarding immigration, family, the relationships between mother and daughter and coming of age. While the main character is Pakistan and the events are as a result of the political decision; this story does not feel like it is in your face with religion and politics.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel!

The characters in this book are so real. My absolute least favorite thing in a story is when I feel as though the characters are one dimensional or always make choices we expect them to. This book doesn’t have to worry about that at all. Reina, Carlos, Fatima, Sadia, every single one of them are layered and complex people who make choices I didn’t understand. And isn’t that the beauty of reading? Opening your eyes to why people behave the way they do, helping you to see from a new perspective. Yes, this is a book about immigration, asylum seeking, and a regime that caused so much fear and pain for immigrants to the US. But it’s also a story about complicated parent/child relationships, young love, growing up, and the ache of waiting for something that may never come.

It was beautifully written in a way that made me root for all of the characters, even in the moments I didn’t understand them. A must read for young people who are finding themselves in a world that often has unrealistic expectations of them.

We Are All We Have is a solid novel about immigration and asylum, and the damage ICE and other government agencies do in their pursuit of "illegals." In light of immigration reform constantly being in the news, without resolution, this is a timely novel. The reader really gets to know what it feels like to be undocumented and afraid, always running.

What a memorable novel. Budhos has humanized a portion of life in America that is often overlooked. The characters within this story will stay with me. I look forward to reading other works by this author.

I read this book in one afternoon. I did enjoy it overall. It kept my attention, and the writing moved right along. I will recommend it to my students.
Thanks, NetGalley!

I really wanted to enjoy this book far more than I actually did. Budhos tackled an intense and important topic with Raina's story of the asylum fight she finds herself in during the fraught political time of the previous administration. However, I found myself continually frustrated with Raina and her illogical choices. She kept making choices that did not make sense to who she seemed to be and what everyone kept telling her. It was hard to have empathy for her because of the decisions she makes as well as the overly complicated personal history that led her mother to seek asylum in the first place.

This is really good book. Its a good look into what can happen to a family when ICE becomes involved.
It is a great diverse read and will make a great book for discussion.
It is a heart-wrenching story that will open your eyes and help you see this point of view and side of things.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been trying my best to read more diverse stories beyond myself and I thought this was the perfect read to learn more about what people have gone and are currently going through with ICE. I get that this is only one story and fiction and I am doing more self-learning outside of this but I fully believe we can still learn from fiction.

I really liked this book to the point where I thought it was too short. I think adding multiple points of view would have enhanced the story such as Rania's Mom's point of view would have been really interesting, but it really good as is. I loved Rania and seeing her feel and process all the different emotions she was feeling. The author really brought this character to life. I really liked Carlos as well. Not gonna lie I wasn't a fan of him at first but he grew on me as he did to Rania. I will say I wasn't the biggest fan of their romance. I can understand why it happened and how it could also be a growing moment for Rania but it fell flat for me and I just couldn't get into it. I loved reading about them being on the road and their journey in hiding out until it was safe to go to their respective destinations.

Overall, I think this book is a really good story that should be told widely. I wish I had something like this in school instead of reading Shakespeare (love it but not the most helpful). People could learn more about this and how not everything is black and white right or wrong. I definitely recommend this book if you're looking to expand your horizons.

This review will be published on my blog on 10/11/22. I will also be posting the review on Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Amazon on that date as well.

We Are All We Have is a solid novel about immigration and asylum, and the damage ICE and other government agencies do in their pursuit of "illegals." Told by a young woman who finds herself on the run with her younger brother when their mother is detained, the story reminds me of Cynthia Voight's Homecoming, a classic about being unable to rely on family, making your own way, and navigating--avoiding--agencies like Child Protective Services and others. The characters can be a little one-dimensional, but the story itself is important enough to overlook it. Recommended for book clubs and in-school reading.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. Budhos’s books are always thoughtful and inspiring. In light of immigration reform constantly being in the news, without resolution, this is a timely novel. The reader really gets to know what it feels like to be undocumented and afraid, always running. The themes of immigration, family, and finding oneself lend themselves to great discussion. I appreciate that this is a clean novel, without profanity and with only a little kissing. I would recommend this for our middle/high classroom libraries. I hope to see a sequel on the horizon, but there is enough closure here that it’s not a cliffhanger.