Ahmed and his family move from Hawai'i to Minnesota, back to his dad's hometown. The move is tough for a number of reasons - his dad is moving to get treatment for a rare condition and his dad left home to get away from the memories of his brother who died at age 12. His dad's close friend, Janet, turns out to be Ahmed's ELA teacher for 6th grade and much of that class & the story revolve around three books - Holes, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler, and Bridge to Terabithia. Ahmed is a smart kid who has been an underachiever in school. This change makes him question his former philosophy, connect with friends, deal with a bully, and really learn to embrace who he is & the person he wants to be.
A cute story, a bit predictable, charming characters. The bully pulls something that feels like it has aspects of racism and hate, but that isn't mentioned at all in the text even when the police are allowed to question and read Ahmed his Miranda rights without an adult with his best interests in mind present. (I was so relieved when Mrs. Garter stepped in there!) ( )

I think this was a pretty good book -- but I honestly can't remember it well enough to review it. I remember that it was centered on 3 "classic" books, and that there was a great teacher and some really terrible bullying that led to Ahmed being interrogated at his school without his parents. That's about it, and that's a shame. I appreciate Muslim representation. I wish it was a happier story. ( )

Recommended Ages: Gr. 5-7

Plot Summary: Ahmed has lived in the same house in Hawaii his whole life. It's quite the shock to the system when his parents decide to move to Minnesota, the place where Bilal grew up and where Bilal can get better care for cirrhosis. Ahmed isn't happy about the move, and he's certainly not happy when a neighbor starts bullying him. The aunties and uncles living in the area practically suffocate Bilal at their first meetup after moving. Yet Ahmed is the only brown kid in a white school. Much to Ahmed's surprise, one of the aunties from the party is also his reading teacher! They are told to get into groups for the year to read, discusss, and lead class discussions on the books assigned. Ahmed hasn't read them, and doesn't even have copies of some of them. As the year goes by, Bilal has a major health scare, Jack is getting worse and worse, and Ahmed somehow survives the first few discussions.

Setting: move from Hawaii to Farthing, MN

Characters:
Ahmed Aziz - 12 yo,
Dad - AKA Bilal, born in US but parents from India, has cirrhosis from Hepatitis C inherited from mother
Mom - immigrated to US from India
Sara - Ahmed's sister
Janet - AKA Mrs. Gaarder, family friend who sent maple syrup to Ahmed's family
Jack - Ahmed's neighbor and a bully, doesn't have a relationship with his parents at all
Mohammad Aziz - Bilal's brother, died at 12 yo
Carl - Ahmed's classmate

Recurring Themes: coming of age, finding yourself, racial minority, moving, homework, group work, reading, hospital, friendship,

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: I didn't remember too much about this book about a month after reading it, but once I flipped through it all came back to me. This book has the right amount of humor and seriousness.I like the social justice mini-spin.

Genre: realistic fiction

Pacing: medium
Characters: not too many to keep track of, well-developed
Frame:
Storyline:

Activity: ( )