With so much negative connotation in the world against Muslim people, this book, I feel was a brave one to pick. With that said, I had a few issues with this book, and don't see it as one that I would want to teach in a classroom.
I felt that having the story from Nadia's point of view was interesting, as it did shed some light on a teenage girls perspective of the faith and what she thinks about it. However, I didn't like how she criticizes and even judges those around her who aren't like her, yet when Western (American people) do the same about her, it's racist and not okay. I have a problem with double standards, and don't understand them.
I also had a very hard time with how un-American this book is. I bleed red, white, and blue, and had a hard time with her attitude towards America's. Though she lived in Syria, and I can sympathize with what she faces on a daily basis, I feel that American's are ALWAYS made out to look like the bad guys - in every sense. We are so politically correct and afraid to offend someone of a different culture, yet when it is reversed to the US, it is okay because we are "the bad guys." Again, it is that double standard.
Overall, this book was an interesting read, but one I had way too many issues with. I couldn't see myself, personally, teaching this book in the classroom. Though I believe teaching students about different cultures is a great thing, I don't like one that depicts America in such a bad light.
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