DOES MY HEAD LOOK BIG IN THIS? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Abdel-Fattah, Randa. Does My Head Look Big in This? New York: Orchard Books, 2005.

ISBN: 978-0-439-91947-0

Plot Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Amal is an Australian-born, devout Muslim.  She is smart, funny, popular at school, speaks her mind and is a loyal friend, but when she decides to wear the hijab, or headscarf, full-time, everyone has an opinion about it.  Her world changes entirely as she encounters misconceptions and prejudice about her religion and culture - all because of “a piece of cloth.” As if dealing with the usual teenage drama were not enough - cute guy, shopping with friends, academics, parents who hold on a little too tightly - she must now defend her decision to parents, friends, and school administrators.  Amal stands by her decision to deepen her faith no matter what and in the process learns something about her emotional and spiritual fortitude.  Told with humor and sensitivity, this is a story that is sure to challenge any preconceived notions about the Muslim faith.

     

Critical Analysis:

Randa Abdel-Fattah does an excellent job of portraying the challenges that Amal encounters because of her decision to wear the hijab in a post-9/11 world.  The story is believable and accurate and addresses stereotypes that are often applied to people of the Muslim faith and culture.  References to traditional Muslim holidays such as Ramadan and to Muslim foods and occasional Arabic language contribute authenticity to the story.  Amal is very funny and entertaining as she draws readers into her life and her innermost feelings about her world.  The story conveys not only Amal’s angst as she reconciles her decision to wear the hijab, but also the usual teenage experiences that any 16-year-old encounters.  Abdel-Fattah brilliantly shares an inside look Amal’s wish to just be accepted for who she is by her friends and family.  A quick and delightful read that should be experienced by all.   

Review Excerpts:

“Amal is an appealing and believable character. She trades verbal jibes with another girl, she is impetuous and even arrogant at times, and she makes some serious errors of judgment. And by the end of the story, she and readers come to realize that "Putting on the hijab isn't the end of the journey. It's just the beginning of it."—School Library Journal

“More than the usual story of the immigrant teen's conflict with her traditional parents, the funny, touching contemporary narrative will grab teens everywhere.” ~Booklist (starred review)

"Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason." ~Publishers Weekly

Connections:

**More books about the teenage Muslim experience:

Love in a Headscarf by Shelina Janmohamed

Ten Things I Hate About Me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook by Dilara Hafiz

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos