Fight Back

Product Information

An empowering story about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it. Aaliyah is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living in the Midlands - she's into her books, shoes, K-pop and she is a Muslim. 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.

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. Set in the U.K., a middle grade girl (who happens to be Muslim) is celebrating with her diverse circle of friends at a K-pop concert when a bomb goes off. The fallout is tragic: several people are killed, one friend's injuries result in her leg needing amputation, everyone at the concert experiencing some sort of trauma/PTSD, and the community becomes riddled with Islamophobia. Aaliyah becomes a target of hate by classmates, neighbors, and her best friend's older brother. To show her community that all Muslims are not evil, she decides to wear a hijab to remind them (and herself) of the tenets of her faith. As the hate continues to manifest around her, Aaliyah and her friends make plans to confront racism head on at their school. Tohe, Laura (2004). " 'It was that Indian': Simon Ortiz, activist poet". Studies in American Indian Literatures. 16 (4): 54–56. ISSN 0730-3238. 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.

Book Review

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. Dapo Adeola, Tracy Darnton, Joseph Coelho and Chitra Soundar are among the 19 authors and illustrators longlisted for the Inclusive Books for Child... Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark...

A truly empowering story with a Muslim girl at its heart, who has had enough of the world’s preconceptions of Muslims.The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... But when a terrorist bomb goes off at the end of the concert, they are thankful that they weren't closer to the front, where people have been killed and maimed. Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12...

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. Ortiz, Simon (Autumn 1989). "An interview with Simon Ortiz". Journal of the Southwest (Interview). Vol.31, no.3. Interviewed by Kathleen Manley and Paul W. Rea. pp.362–377. 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.

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A timely, realistic look at what it is like to experience overt racism. In this case, Islamophobia. At the heart of it, this young girl is trying to prove how by having things such as religious bans we are actually causing more hatred amongst one another instead of allowing for an opportunity to learn from one another. 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. M. Dassu serves up an important, necessary book about racism and identity." Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant "Unflinchingly honest, heartbreaking, powerful, important and hopeful." Sophie Wills, author of The Orphans of St Halibuts "Tense, terrifying, transformative.

I originally joined for my son however my dr suggested I apply for myself and should have actually done so years ago. I did and was awarded standard for care and high for mobability. Now whilst grateful I was confused because my care needs are more than mobility. I have a neuro condition and have just been diagnosed with Pro-Longed QT waves. Along with many other symptoms I have memory loss which means cooking is dangerous as I often forget I’ve put the oven on or even to turn it off at the end. I set reminders but within mins I forget. However the DWP said I can use a microwave so I’m ok. I argued that a microwave isn’t exactly the healthiest and since nutrition has been linked with healthy living anything less than this is detrimental to our health. With meds having side effects of weight gain I def don’t need to be helping it along. Islam was very present in the book, with Aaliyah choosing hijab, praying, salaam, nafl shukr, and more! Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic. 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.Hijab bans in France and Quebec along with general islamophobia on the rise this book is quite relevant to the times we presently live in.