Review by Booklist Review
Fahmy started her comics on Instagram, and the short format has clearly helped her hone her tight comedic timing, which is all over her latest offering, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age comic about a girl finding her way in high school. Moving to Dearborn meant not being the only hijabi teen in her school, but what exactly is Huda's identity beyond her headscarf? In her signature loose, expressive cartooning style, Fahmy deftly balances humor and seriousness; while chronicling Huda's often comical journey to pinpoint a passion, she doesn't shy away from the micro- and macro-aggressions she endures from other students and one particular teacher, who satisfyingly gets her much-deserved comeuppance after months of antagonizing her many Muslim students. The specific context of Huda's story is sure to resonate with Muslim teens, but the pitch-perfect jokes and search for a way to stand up for herself without standing out too much is something lots of teens can relate to. Hand this to readers who like slice-of-life gag comics or character-driven graphic novels about discovering one's true self.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Fahmy (That Can Be Arranged, for adults) centers Huda F., "just your friendly neighborhood Arab-Muslim hijab-wearing American whatever," in this unconventional fish-out-of-water story. After their parents move Egyptian American Huda and her four sisters to largely Muslim Dearborn, Mich., Huda plans to "hang out with the other hijabis" as a way to make friends. But realizing that "wearing hijab is not a personality trait," she finds that she doesn't necessarily fit in with her new school's communities of hijabi athletes, gamers, and fashionistas. While navigating her habitual people-pleasing ("I fake interest in whatever other people are talking about") and seeking approval and acceptance, she also encounters hostility and prejudicial treatment from students and a teacher, and wonders whether to openly discuss the discrimination or keep quiet and fade into the background. Simple lined cartoon art against ample white space portrays female Muslim characters with an array of skin tones and wearing a variety of hijab styles. In this entertaining, frequently wry fictionalized memoir about an important subject, Fahmy is forthright in her dialogues and depictions. Ages 12--up. Agent: Kathleen Ortiz, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Nov.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Fahmy's fictionalized graphic-novel memoir explores the complexities of identity and what it costs to be pleasing. When Egyptian American Huda and her family move to Dearborn, Michigan, she finds that suddenly she is far from being the only hijabi in her school. At a loss, Huda realizes that she has always adapted to accommodate others instead of finding her own interests. Although she fears that her personality was defined by being different due to her hijab, she also doesn't fit in with the hijabi athletes, gamers, and fashionistas at school or with her masjid peers, since her parents previously emphasized cultural assimilation. Even her position as the smart sister in her family is challenged as Huda faces academic challenges and a teacher who is hostile toward Muslim students. Fahmy comedically captures Huda's embarrassing moments, conflicting desires for validation and acceptance, and the sarcasm she uses as a coping mechanism when facing everyday Islamophobia, xenophobia, bigotry, and microaggressions. Neither does the author shy away from reflecting on Huda's internalized Islamophobia, self-hate, and moments of cowardice as she grows and learns. Background Muslim characters show different skin tones and female characters wearing different styles of hijab as well as those who do not. The full-color artwork shows stylized, cartoon-style figures whose minimalistic features emphasize the emotions shown by their facial expressions. A variety of lettering styles signals background commentary, humorous asides, sound effects, and more. Hilarious, charming, and much needed. (author's note) (Graphic fiction. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
