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sakisreads's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
✨ Gifted ✨
This was my first ever find by the Book Fairies! My friend and I were walking in a cemetery when we found this 😳
I love the idea of Book Fairies and decided immediately I’d have to get the stickers etc. to pass it on 🥹
Anyway. I’ve been wanting to read a bit more YA lately, and this was such a brilliant book. I cried through some parts and laughed through others; there’s a real range of emotions to go through 🫠
I was so proud of Hanan for coming through and standing up for herself, even when it felt scary 😫 I was such a big fan of Hooyo too; she and the family had a warmth I could feel through the pages 🥰
As teenagers often are awkward beings, the writing felt a bit awkward at times. But it was still impactful and a necessary read in my opinion! 4 out of 5 stars ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Islamophobia, Racism, and Violence
azrah786's review against another edition
4.5
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I received a copy of the book from Usborne Publishing through the Tandem Collective for a readalong in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, racism, islamophobia, xenophobia, hate crime, bullying, death, death of parent, grief
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An empowering and timely debut, You Think You Know Me touches on the racial and Islamophobic ideals which are to this day very present in British society, particularly calling this out in the education system.
We follow Hanan who dreams of following in her late father’s footsteps and becoming a doctor so is determined to work hard towards the entrance exam that is looming around the corner. However, when a local incident gives rise to heightened Islamophobia in the community and a potential change in school policies Hanan must decide whether she is going to keep her head down and be the token Muslim student she is expected to be or if she is going to use her voice to speak for what is right.
**I received a copy of the book from Usborne Publishing through the Tandem Collective for a readalong in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, racism, islamophobia, xenophobia, hate crime, bullying, death, death of parent, grief
--
An empowering and timely debut, You Think You Know Me touches on the racial and Islamophobic ideals which are to this day very present in British society, particularly calling this out in the education system.
We follow Hanan who dreams of following in her late father’s footsteps and becoming a doctor so is determined to work hard towards the entrance exam that is looming around the corner. However, when a local incident gives rise to heightened Islamophobia in the community and a potential change in school policies Hanan must decide whether she is going to keep her head down and be the token Muslim student she is expected to be or if she is going to use her voice to speak for what is right.
“Anger becomes an ugly, dangerous thing when you fling it around with your eyes closed… Open your eyes, macaanto, before you hurt someone with your words.”
Touching on themes of family and cultural identity it is just as much an elder daughter’s story and refugee story as it is a Muslim one, and is all about standing your ground and being true to yourself in the face of hate and prejudice. Of learning to accept that you don’t need to justify who you are and sacrifice your identity to fit in with the status quo or for the benefit to those who are blinded by their ignorance.
Mohamud’s writing brilliantly voices Hanan’s character and emotions and also shapes the various supporting characters of the story too, making them and their experiences feel authentic and really brings the important messages at the heart of this book across. The relationships, both those involving family and friends, were so wholesome and though there were some very hard moments to get through in the story there were also some wonderfully heart-warming and humorous scenes too.
“But isn’t that a disservice to our diversity? If we try to make everyone the same, are we saying there’s no room for any difference in the world? And if we continue to fear the things we don’t understand, can there ever be space for growth and humanity?”
As a British Muslim myself I am fortunate to have lived in diverse communities and attended schools where incidents like those that occurred in this book are rare but you just have to go looking into the news to see that they are more than just fiction.
I think I’m not alone in saying that this would be a great book to have in schools/libraries for young readers to pick up but it is definitely a book that people of all ages can take something away from.
Final Rating – 4.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Racism, Islamophobia, Hate crime, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
coffeekitaab's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
YTYM is a necessary read. After the media coverage of a murder in North West London renders the perpetrator a terrorist based only on race, Hanan Ali, a Muslim Somalian, straight A achieving student, faces bullying and islamophobia at her prestigious grammar school. Hanan always tries to keep a low profile at school, her ultimate goal is to pass the admissions test to Medical School, but the onslaught of abuse from her peers and condescending attitude by the principal isolates Hanan further. The story broke my heart in so many places, especially the second half; Hanan and the bond she shares with her twin brother Hussein is everything. This is a story about finding your voice to stand up against hate crime and the beauty in diversity.
There are so many aspects that I enjoyed - reading about Somalian culture and heritage, Hanan's equation with each of her family members felt personal and relatable, and most importantly, her faith and beliefs, the strength, peace and clarity Hanan gets from reciting prayers. I laud Ayaan Mohamud's efforts for writing this narrative, a story which needed to be told. This is representation in its purest form. I wanted to give it 4.5 stars because the ending felt rushed but on reflection, I am glad the way it concluded and I understand why Hanan's future was left to the reader's imagination. A brilliant debut and I look forward to more!
Thank you Netgalley and Usborneya for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many aspects that I enjoyed - reading about Somalian culture and heritage, Hanan's equation with each of her family members felt personal and relatable, and most importantly, her faith and beliefs, the strength, peace and clarity Hanan gets from reciting prayers. I laud Ayaan Mohamud's efforts for writing this narrative, a story which needed to be told. This is representation in its purest form. I wanted to give it 4.5 stars because the ending felt rushed but on reflection, I am glad the way it concluded and I understand why Hanan's future was left to the reader's imagination. A brilliant debut and I look forward to more!
Thank you Netgalley and Usborneya for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Islamophobia, Racism, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Murder, Racial slurs, Bullying, and Hate crime
kejan's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is an amazing book about a perspective that is often negated in literature. It has opened my eyes to my own prejudice which is a very powerful thing for a book to achieve. The writing might not always be strong, but the story definitely is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
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