Love from A to Z
Ratings26
Average rating4.2
This book dealt with a lot, but it didn't feel overbearing or sadly, unrealistic. I was both saddened (though not surprised) and intrigued that Ali based the students' crusade to rid the school of the racist teacher on real life events at a Toronto school. My experiences with Muslim kids in school was very different. I had friends who were Muslim, who wore hijabs, but it wasn't any big deal. I grew up in a bit more diverse area so different wasn't really different. I went to school before 9/11, before the height of Islamophobia, so my heart broke to read about the small ways other students chip away at the Muslim students. I thought about how terrible that would have been to see that happen to my friends and wondered if I would have had the courage to stand up for them. I understood Zeynab's anger and did feel wonder at her growth in learning how to successfully fight the battles that needed to be fought. Adam was the balm, but she found her way mostly by her own strength and desire to make real change. Speaking of Adam, he was a fantastic character. I mean, there's not much more to say about that. He was strong in character and grace. He accepted his faults and felt like the most peaceful person despite the blows dealt to him.
It gets me choked up knowing that there are books like this out here in the world and maybe some won't feel so alone and unheard. Books like this are much needed today.
did my best not to cry thru all the islamophobia but the author's note is making me sob :-)
also: muslim chinese rep, disability rep, and calling out problematic white bitches rep. we love to see it.
4.5 Used the same “something and something” writing convention as her first book, in this case to divide everything into Marvels and Oddities, but it worked much better here. Her characters and dialogue, plot, and style have all improved and jelled together. This book was really well done and the epilogue felt right and earned. It was a chaste romance but with a central focus of activism and speaking out against injustice while also thinking deliberately about making choices that feel right to you within your own culture. Think this will have a wide audience after booktalks and adding it to the potential BOB books list!
This book (for me) is a 2.5★ but it needs a Shoutout.
A shoutout and a hands-down for two things:
· One: the muslin point of view from a muslin author. And its rawness. Like, the slap in the face of reality it gives you.
· Two: the let's be all equal feminist tone.
the marvels of creation and the oddities of existence.
While I was reading...
This dam book is making me sad. Like the fault in our stars sad.
And why? This is a YA for god's sake.
Or maybe, both narrators are making me feel that way.
During and after finishing the book...
I'm Brazilian. Which means that we don't have a face. Nor a culture defined. But we have a ”way” of demonstrating our true nationality. And we suffer tons of prejudices.
Adam and Zayneb being completely mixtures from different nationalities had an instant affinity connection with me. And that's one of the reasons I need to read more about it.
• I have a crush on Islamic religion and muslin religion and Arabic culture in general. Obviously, I have a crush on the beautiful part of it, not the laws against woman rights, nor the extremist and terrorist part of it.
Although, I'm aware that my love for it is linked to my the need on having a more solid and culture-based life on my own.
· And let's have a moment to appreciate that cover, with those insanely attractive people.
Emma P é mais sensata do que ela. Pronto, falei
Wow, will you all judge me for admitting I only just realized Love From A to Z can also be taken as Love From Adam to Zayneb??? It isn't even subtle and yet it still flew over my head!!
Okay, anyhow, let me start telling you how great this book is. This book is full of diverse characters facing diverse problems. Zayneb is angry, so angry about the racism she faces daily, but feels like she needs to change, be more ‘nice' in order to be a better person and not get her friends in trouble. Zayneb was my favorite character and I felt for her as she tried to figure out how to be a good person and what it means if you think you aren't a good person. So much love for her.
Then we have Adam who is keeping a secret from his family that he has multiple sclerosis, the same disease his mother died from, a death his father is still grieving. Adam is alone in his fight, preparing himself to die, and doesn't want anyone else to hurt over him like his father hurts over his mother. There is such, such pain here.
I also liked the notebook idea where they list Marvels and Oddities about their day– this book is told through notebook entries, by the way! Although it doesn't read like journal entries all the time, so I would forget.
This is a book I did end up slightly crying over. These teens are so precious and they deserve all the best in the world. If you want lovely read with a sweet romance interlaced with real world drama with real consequences, this is a book you should try out. I've already been recommending it left and right at work.
A very charming love story between two Muslim teenagers.
On an unrelated note: I am puzzled by the choice of title and would have thought Marvels and Oddities would have made more sense.