Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

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Description

At a time when we are all asking questions about identity, grief, and how to stand up for what is right, this book by the author of A Thousand Questions will hit home with young readers who love Hena Khan and Varian Johnsonor anyone struggling to understand recent U.S. history and how it still affects us today.

Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey, Texasand nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win.

Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.

With Never Forget banners everywhere and a hostile group of townspeople protesting the new mosque, Yusuf realizes that the countrys anger from two decades ago hasnt gone away. Can he hold onto his joyand his friendshipsin the face of heartache and prejudice

Reviews

"Faruqi finds engaging ways to explore how myriad tragedies of 9/11 have lodged in our memories, from uncomfortable questions in Yusufs classroom to a conflict over the construction of a mosque... Among the novels strengths is the hope it offers young readers, because despite the real menace from those who consider Muslim Americans the enemy among us, Yusufdoeshave allies. They cannot solve all his problems, but they can see him as we all hope our children will be seen, for their decency, potential and hearts." New York Times Book Review "Gripping, well-paced, and poignant, this is an essential purchase for all libraries and a must-read book of our times that raises important questions about who controls historical narratives, what it means to stand up for justice, and the legacy of an event that cannot be forgotten." School Library Journal (starred review) "A timely, emotional story full of hope and love even in the face of discrimination and prejudice." Kirkus Reviews "Yusuf Azeem Is Not A Hero will surely help spark many conversations about Islamophobia and xenophobia, as well as how much things have changed in the past 20 years. Faruqi's emotional story will resonate with older readers who lived through the events many years ago, and younger readers will gain insight on the lasting effects that the 9/11 attacks had on Americans and why they are an important part of history." Booklist "Faruqi effectively probes complexities of radical activism vs. peaceful accommodation as Muslim response to prejudice, as well as the non-Muslim communitys deep discomfort in stepping beyond a bystander role in defense of their neighbors." Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books "[A] timely, hopeful middle grade novel." Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani-American writer, interfaith activist, and cultural-sensitivity trainer. She is the author of the children's early-reader series Yasmin, the middle grade novels A Thousand Questions and Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero, and the coauthor of the middle grade novel A Place at the Table. She was profiled in O magazine as a woman making a difference in her community and serves as editor in chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry, and prose. She resides in Houston, TX, with her family.