A review by internationalkris
Amina's Voice by Hena Khan

3.0

Amina's Voice is a very sweet and touching book that helps the reader understand the main character's experience as an Islamic immigrant to the United States. Amina is in middle school and she is dealing with a lot of typical issues for that age group - changing dynamics in friendships, self-confidence and expressing her individuality and identity. On top of this her father's brother is visiting from Pakistan and his very conservative religious beliefs are causing some conflict in the family - for instance he does not believe that music is an acceptable talent to practice. On the other side of the spectrum Amina's older brother is looking for a lot more freedom and has been staying out late after basketball games and hanging out with many friends who are not Muslim. Later in the book a hate-crime causes the family to question their place in their adopted homeland. Despite these heavy issues Amina's Voice would work best for a younger reader in the middle grades spectrum. Amina is a very innocent 6th grader in most ways. I would have been happier with a more complex main character but I do appreciate that this book would work well for a younger audience.