Tag Archives: Muslims

I Am Thunder

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I Am Thunder by Muhammad Khan

Book of the Week: 11 February 2018

When Muzna’s dad loses his job, and her uncle offers him the chance to work in his restaurant on the other side of London, Muzna has to change schools and start Year 11 at a shiny new academy. Here she encounters her geeky but supportive teacher, Mr Dunthorpe, and a selection of classmates; some welcoming and others hostile. More significantly, Arif, the most gorgeous boy in the school, seems to want to get to know her, despite her shyness and insecurity. Has she found someone who appreciates her love of literature and understands her ambition to become a writer? Her parents only see qualifications as a stepping stone to a career in medicine and they definitely don’t approve of boyfriends, but Arif is funny and engaging and seems to like her company. The only drawback is his intensely religious brother, Jameel, who comes across as creepy and controlling. Should Muzna hide this side of her life from her parents or should she listen when teachers, and then friends, warn her about the kind of beliefs that lead to violence?

This is a story told from the refreshingly different viewpoint of a young Muslim woman and deals with friendships, families and radicalisation. Despite Muzna’s awkwardness, she is a sparky character with a great turn of phrase and the book offers insight into the lives of many British Muslims whilst still recounting things common to young people everywhere.

 

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Borderline

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Borderline by Allan Stratton

Book of the Week: 13 September 2015Borderline

Sami Sabiri feels his dad is being too strict when, after a misunderstanding, he moves him to a private school where he is the only Muslim student. A small gang of boys, headed by Edward Thomas Harrison the Third, make Sami’s life a misery with racist bullying and remarks about his religion. When his old friends, Marty and Andy, suggest a trip to an island across the border in Canada, Sami seizes the chance to rebel and escape his troubles. But then, Sami finds out his father has been deceiving him and his mother, and they all become the subject of a terrorist investigation by the FBI. Despite Sami’s rocky relationship with his dad he sets out to uncover the truth behind the accusations.

As with Allan Stratton’s ‘The Dogs’ the author has the ability to write fast-moving thrillers with believable and sympathetic characters. Here, he explores anti-Muslim attitudes without ever letting it overwhelm the telling of a good story.

Try this if you enjoyed ‘The Dogs’ or books such as ‘Acceleration’ by Graham McNamee (both are Canadian writers) or ‘Hate’ by Alan Gibbons.