Amina’s Song by Hena Khan
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: March 9th, 2021
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You can check out my review for Amina’s Voice HERE. This book brought up some really great discussions about ignorance in schools and communities especially when teaching about presumed third world countries. I loved seeing Amina stand up for Pakistan and try her best to educate the ignorant students and teachers about education in Pakistan and women’s rights. She’s braver than I ever was at that age!
I also just related so hard to Amina feeling like she was suspended between two different identities. Not knowing enough urdu but also not being allowed to practice it was something I struggled with a lot as a kid! Amina also deal with homesickness for her family in Pakistan that she visits over the summer and having to come home and wonder how to explain all her feelings to her friends who think she’s just having an identity crisis.
I also just LOVE that there were platonic friendships without romance being some big issue. Gotta admit I was scared for a minute but Hena Khan never lets me down.
It was so refreshing to step back into Amina’s little world and see her world grow bigger and her slowly grow. She’s like a little fictional sister to me haha. This is so wholesome and educational and I just want to shove it in everyone’s face and tell them LOOK! We need more little girls like Amina!
What I really loved about this book is just how willing to work Amina is. She really goes above and beyond to show her culture and is okay with wearing shalwar khameez at school dances. I wish I had had this as a kid because I wouldn’t have been so reluctant wearing traditional clothes in predominantly white spaces! Her old and new friendships were so wholesome and her love of music and communication was so pure! Getting to see a new friendship especially with a boy that had no romantic pretense was honestly so refreshing! I truly love all of Hena Khan’s writing and look forward to what she does next!
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a quick wholesome book to read featuring a Pakistani Muslim! If you like fierce and hard working girls that want to learn and educate ignorant people, this is definitely something you would enjoy! This has wonderful friendships and family relationships and a great discussion about amazing female icons from Pakistan!
Star is All Booked Up 