An Emotion of Great Delight
by
Tahereh Mafi
Edition
Hardcover edition
Publisher
HarperCollins
Imprint
Harper
ISBN
9780062972415
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use , Discrimination: Religious , Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Language: Strong Language , Violence: Self-Harm , Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: General
A searing look into the world of a single Muslim family in the wake of 9/11 about a child of immigrants forging a blurry identity, falling in love, and finding hope--in the midst of a modern war.
It’s 2003, several months since the US officially declared war on Iraq, and the American political world has evolved. Tensions are high, hate crimes are on the rise, FBI agents are infiltrating local mosques, and the Muslim community is harassed and targeted more than ever. Shadi, who wears hijab, keeps her head down.
She's too busy drowning in her own troubles to find the time to deal with bigots.
Shadi is named for joy, but she’s haunted by sorrow. Her brother is dead, her father is dying, her mother is falling apart, and her best friend has mysteriously dropped out of her life. And then, of course, there’s the small matter of her heart—
It’s broken.
Shadi tries to navigate her crumbling world by soldiering through, saying nothing. She devours her own pain, each day retreating farther and farther inside herself until finally, one day, everything changes.
She explodes.
POTENTIALLY SENSITIVE AREAS
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco: Underage Use , Discrimination: Religious , Discrimination: Racial Insensitivity/Racism , Language: Strong Language , Violence: Self-Harm , Sexual Content: Mild Sexual Content/Themes , Violence: General
Details
Format
Page Count
256
Trim Size
8 3/10" x 5 1/2"
Dewey
F
AR
0: points 0
Genre
Fiction
Scholastic Reading Counts
0
JLG Release
Oct 2021
Book Genres
Realistic Fiction
Topics
Muslim teenagers. Children of immigrants. US Muslim families. Identity (psychology). Islamophobia. Grief. Muslim communities. Race relations. Love. Fathers and daughters. Terminal illnesses. The 2000s (decade).
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Praise & Reviews
Praise & Reviews
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up–Shadi is struggling to finish high school without losing her focus. It’s a few years after 9/11 and the United States has recently declared war on Iraq. As an Iranian American Muslim teenager, Shadi, who wears a hijab, is judged harshly by teachers, students, and others in her community. What no one can see, though, is that most of her stress doesn’t stem from anything related to religion or politics. Her brother was recently killed in an accident, her father is in the hospital after a severe heart attack, and her mother’s mental health is in decline. As if that’s not enough, her best friend, Zahra, who is also Iranian, has dropped her, leaving her with questions. When Zahra’s brother, Ali, offers to console Shadi, the two admit to something that has been growing for years between them. Shadi must decide how important it is to follow her heart, even when she knows it may lead her into risky territory. Mafi’s prose is compelling and unsentimental, giving voice to the universal angst common among teenagers. She handles the timely issues of race and discrimination with skill, highlighting the inaccuracies so often ascribed to individuals of the Muslim faith. Her well-developed characters jump off the page, especially during romantic moments. VERDICT An emotional, important look at an American Muslim teen’s experience. Recommended for all high school libraries. –Karin Greenberg, Manhasset H.S., NY
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-Shadi is struggling to finish high school without losing her focus. It's a few years after 9/11 and the United States has recently declared war on Iraq. As an Iranian American Muslim teenager, Shadi, who wears a hijab, is judged harshly by teachers, students, and others in her community. What no one can see, though, is that most of her stress doesn't stem from anything related to religion or politics. Her brother was recently killed in an accident, her father is in the hospital after a severe heart attack, and her mother's mental health is in decline. As if that's not enough, her best friend, Zahra, who is also Iranian, has dropped her, leaving her with questions. When Zahra's brother, Ali, offers to console Shadi, the two admit to something that has been growing for years between them. Shadi must decide how important it is to follow her heart, even when she knows it may lead her into risky territory. Mafi's prose is compelling and unsentimental, giving voice to the universal angst common among teenagers. She handles the timely issues of race and discrimination with skill, highlighting the inaccuracies so often ascribed to individuals of the Muslim faith. Her well-developed characters jump off the page, especially during romantic moments. VERDICT An emotional, important look at an American Muslim teen's experience. Recommended for all high school libraries.-Karin Greenberg, Manhasset H.S., NY
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Interests
Diversity,Fiction,Mature Readers,LGBTQ+,Novels,Realistic Fiction
Grades 11 & Up
Mature Young Adults Plus
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