“I don’t want you to interpret this incorrectly but I hope you realize that I am going out of my way to accommodate you. That a Muslim girl and her parents must consider the consequences of merely wearing a head covering in a country settled by “good Christians” at this late date says much. Important to keep in mind is that this is not taking place in a Middle Eastern country or other country deemed “Muslim” where such a decision would not even be up for debate. It is not a decision she reaches for carelessly herself, yet it is telling that she expected the announcement to go one way and instead it has gone another. What “hits” the narrator is that she has reached a decision that it is time to start wearing her hijab full time. I was expecting a cheerleader routine around the family room.

So, what is your first impression?Īt dinner I tell my parents that I’m thinking about wearing the hijab and to my disbelief they look at each other nervously. Keep in mind that the novel is partially about expectations and stereotypes and-for lack of a better word-profiling.

Even better: it is just enough information that one could make a guess and be completely wrong. The author provides just enough specific information to give an informed reader a general idea of what kind of person the narrator might be. It hit me when I was power-walking on the treadmill at home, watching a Friends rerun for about the ninetieth time. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Does my head look big in this review