Dear Bully

Release Date: September 2011

Publisher: HarperTeen

Age Group: Any

Pages: 352 pages

Source: Library

Series: None

You are not alone

Discover how Lauren Kate transformed the feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the “funny guy” into the best defense against the bullies in his class.

Today’s top authors for teens come together to share their stories about bullying—as silent observers on the sidelines of high school, as victims, and as perpetrators—in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.

At first, it seemed like a hard read. Short non-fiction stories of people who used to get bullied in school, reminded me of memories I have been successfully blocking all those years. This book taught me that I wasn’t the only bullied. In fact, I bet everyone was bullied at least once in their lives, right? But my story is nothing compared to what these short stories in the Dear Bully included.

If I were being bullied and read this book, it would have given me lights towards the coming days that will contain nothing but days full of smiles. Dear Bully made me realize that if amazing people like the authors who contributed to this book were bullied, then bulling has a good side to it? Maybe? Most of the authors included in their story that the bully helped them in some indirect way to become writers. That could happen.

None of the stories were smiliar. Each one of them was unique. I didn’t know there are 70 ways to bullying

Also, this book contains resource on how to deal with bullying. Pretty amazing huh?

Really great book. If every kid had to read this, will bullying exists? 

Boy vs. Girl by Naima B. Robert

Release Date: March 1^st 2011

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Age Group: Middle Grade and Young Adult

Pages: 160 pages

Source: The Teen Book Scene Blog Tour

Farhana swallowed and reached for the hijab. But then she saw with absolute clarity the weird looks from the other girls at school, and the smirks from the guys. Did she dare? And then there was Malik... What should she do about him? Faraz was thinking about Skrooz and the lads. Soon he would finally have the respect of the other kids at school. But at what price? He heard Skrooz's voice, sharp as a switchblade: "This thing is powerful, blud. But you have to earn it, see? Just a few more errands for me..." They're twins, born 6 minutes apart. Both are in turmooil and both have life-changing choices to make, against the peaceful backdrop of Ramadan. Do Farhana and Faraz have enough courage to do the right thing? And can they help each other - or will one of them draw the other towards catastrophe? This powerful novel explores the idea of honour and what it means to different generations of Muslim families.

Boy Vs. Girl is a novel about Farhana and Faraz who are Pakistani twins. They both decide to take Ramadan as their chance to get closer to God and follow Islam's principals.

Now let me tell you that I enjoyed this book. Its all about Ramadan and I read it during Ramada. So all the time reading this book, I've been nodding, agreeing with everything Farhana and Faraz go through during the month of Ramadan.

I like how the author touch on the struggle of Muslims from following their Islamic principals. Since their main concern is to follow the cultural trends in the UK (This book takes place in UK, how exciting). And its all so true. I mean, I live in Canada and I see so many teenagers struggling between keeping their background identity and fitting-in. I, myself, faces these problems. Na'ima pictured these conflicts and struggles perfectly.  

The characters were very relatable. I really liked Farhana's character. She tries to follow her religion principals but then her peers and family are against her. For Faraz, he is this bad boy who is artistic and a great brother. I really liked the harmony between Farhana and Faraz. They protect and shield each other.

However, I felt this book's pace was too fast. And the ending was sudden  and unexpected. I just wanted more time to grow with the characters.

Overall, this book was great and reading it during the month of Ramadan made it even better. 

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan

Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan

Release Date: Feburary 19^th 2011

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Age Group: Middle Grade

Page: 224 pages

Source: Library

 It is 1918, six months after the end of World War I, and Rosalind awaits the return of her father from the war. While it is common practice for British children in India to be packed off to boarding school at the age of 6, Rosalind is unusual because she lives and is schooled in India because her mother insists. The heart of this penetrating story is Rosalind's coming of age set against the hardship of life for the Indian people, Rosalind's daily life in India, the rise of Ghandi and Rosalind's coming to make her own decisions and become her own person

This book is a historical fiction which takes place in India during the Indian revolution. With all the revolutions that are happening now in the Middle East (people searching for their freedom), it was important for me to read about an old revolution. I stumbled upon this book which took me back when Ghandi was trying to free India from the British ruling after the World War I. The journey was fun and very informative and to my delight, the Indian revolution steps were the same as any revolution that is happening in the Middle East right now.

Even though the book is targeted for children, I found it interesting and I think it might interest adults too. This is because it delivers heavy content, historical moments in a simple, easy-to-read way.

I should mention that this book doesn’t only take place in India but it also takes place in Britain too. How exciting was that? It was awesome.

Overall, the book was a great, fun read and Rosalind (the main character) was fun 

to follow along on her journey and see her doing small acts of amazing courage.

Tata for now