Does My Head Look Big in This

Does My Head Look Big in This
By: Randa Abdel-Fattah
360p
Publisher Orchard Books

BN-10: 043992233X
ISBN-13: 978-0439922333

Annotation
Year Eleven at an exclusive prep school in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, would be tough enough, but it is further complicated for Amal when she decides to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, full-time as a badge of her faith--without losing her identity or sense of style.

Summary
Our protagonist is Amal, a beautiful, smart, funny and intelligent high school junior. Amal is all of these things, in addition she is also a practicing and devout Muslim who chooses to wear her hijab or headscarf. Everyday she must battle the prejudices of her non-Muslim society and attempt to gain the knowledge she so desperately seeks. Amal is forced to endure the racism and discrimination by kids whose experience with Muslims are only what they have been exposed to by the media.

Her homelife isn't much better, family members that are eager to fit in are constanly questioning her decision, but Amal has made a choice. To her, it is a decision that is personal and religious, and contrary to many of her classmates thoughts it is not about making a statement.

This novel is a touching story and fills a void that many young adult novels have ignored for far too long.

Teens will be able to appreciate the realness in Amal's story and perhaps learn more about an unfamiliar culture.