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Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Author Qualification(s): First Muslim American woman to wear a headscarf while competing for the USA in the Olympics; she was bullied for wearing one in school and continues to receive unkind comments into adulthood.
Illustrator Qualification(s): Muslim Canadian born in South India who wears a hijab
Genre(s)
Genre(s)
Picture Book
Realistic Fiction
Banned Book
Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)
Diverse / Multicultural Topic(s)
Respect for Muslim culture
Awards
Awards
NY Times bestseller
Plot Summary
Plot Summary
This is a story of two sisters, one younger and one slightly older in middle school. When the older sister turns twelve, she starts to wear her hijab daily. Her younger sister thinks it's a beautiful color and does not understand when others tease her for wearing the scarf. She wants to wear a hijab just like hers someday, an outward expression of her Muslim faith that she wears like a badge of honor.
Connections & Representation
Connections & Representation
Students who wear a hijab or burka as means of an expression of faith will be able to relate to this story.
Stereotypes
Stereotypes
The author's purpose is to quash stereotypes associated with females who wear hijabs. She wants them to be seen for the individuals they are.
Conflicts
Conflicts
The main conflict is that the little sister watches her sister Asiya from afar at school as she is ridiculed for wearing her hijab. She doesn't understand because she thinks Asiya's hijab is beautiful.
Insider/Outsider
Insider/Outsider
Asiya is considered by a few schoolmates to be an Outsider, whereas her friends an family still consider her an Insider.
Teachable Moment
Teachable Moment
This book teaches us that we can't judge a person because they choose to stand out just for wearing a scarf on their head, that religious choice is something we must all honor and respect.
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