New Arrival/New American Books

Written by A. M. Dassu
Published by Lee & Low Books

Thirteen-year-old Aaliyah can’t wait for a concert by her favorite K-pop boy band, 3W. She isn’t too concerned with stories on the news about the rise of the far right—after all, it doesn’t affect her—until a terrorist attack at the concert changes everything.

Local racists are emboldened and anti-Muslim rhetoric starts cropping up at school and on the street. When Aaliyah starts getting bullied, she knows she has to do something to stand up to the hate. She decides that, instead of hiding who she is, she will begin wearing a hijab for the first time, to challenge how people in her community see Muslims.

But when her school bans the hijab and she is attacked and intimidated for making her choice, Aaliyah feels alone. Can she find allies—friends to stand beside her and help her find ways to fight back?

Primary ISBN: 9781643795881
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Young Adult, Age 11 or older

Community Represented: Multicultural/Unnamed Inclusion, Muslim/Muslim American

Themes: Activism, Allyship, Coming of Age, Cross-Group Friendship, Discrimination: Religious, Educator Resource, Engagement Tool: Discussion, Family Relationship: Siblings, Multiracial Identity, Religious Background: Muslim

Setting: Unknown

Character’s New Arrival/New American Status: Unknown Arrival

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Educator’s Guide

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Source: Lee & Low Books