Summary
This book was written about a pair of sisters and their experiences with hijab. The younger sister admires her older sister Asiya in a beautiful blue hijab. Faizah anticipates her first day being able to represent her culture in hijab. Classmates have questions and there are some unkind responses the girls know knows that the hijab represents strength, bravery and power. To the sisters the hijab is a right of passage and cannot be taken from them by those who do not hold values the same.
Theme(s):
Family, Overcoming Adversity, Traditions
Personal Response
This is a powerful story about overcoming adversity while truly embracing your culture. Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K Ali do a wonderful job writing from the younger sisters point of view as she learns pride and confidence watching her sister be unaffected by cruel remarks. The hijab is important to the girls because it is powerful and blue and beautiful and the author does not make the characters explain themselves to anyone else.
Teaching Ideas
This is a great book to use as a mirror for any student that may experience first-day hijab. Many children can relate to the bullying and adversity in the book as it is relatable at most ages. This is a great book to use to discuss traditional dress and culturally significant clothing. Students would benefit from this read aloud as it is inspiring and the illustrations pair with the text wonderfully.
Recommended Reading Level
Birth-PreK, Grade 01, Grade 02, Grade 03
