More great reads: the best books for 11 year olds
"A stirring story of fighting racism and bigotry through unity, community, courage and speaking out loud and proud"
Shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023
Exploring pertinent themes of identity, racism and resistance, A.M. Dassu’s Fight Back is a powerful, moving triumph. A gripping story that will support and inspire young readers who experience Islamophobia and racism, and enlighten all readers on how to be a better ally.
Thirteen-year-old Aaliyah is into reading, K-pop, and loves her best friends Lisa and Sukhi. But life as a Muslim isn’t easy in a society that ripples with racism. After a terrorist bombing, she’s passed a note in class - “Is the London attacker one of your uncles? I heard your dad got the weapons from Pakistan for him”. Meanwhile, Aaliyah’s lawyer mum is abused in a supermarket for wearing a hijab.
Then, when another attack happens closer to home – very close, in fact – the abuse escalates and Aaliyah is ghosted by Lisa, whose controlling older brother Darren holds despicable “take back our country” views. Though hurt, Aaliyah’s response is one of pride and courage.
She decides “wearing a hijab would empower me to be true to myself… I’d show everyone a proper Muslim wasn’t anything like the few bad ones plastered all over the news. It was time I came out and was confident about who I was. It was time to fight.”
When her school bans hijabs in response to complaints from pupils and parents, and Darren organises a “BRING BACK OUR SAFE WHITE NEIGHBOURHOODS” protest, Aaliyah decides that enough is enough and speaks out at a public event.
Perfectly pitched and paced, and radiant with Aaliyah’s courage, Fight Back is an engaging must-read that challenges racist stereotypes as it shines with the vitality of empathy, friendship and positive protest.
An empowering story about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it. Aaliyah is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living in the Midlands - she's into her books, shoes, K-pop and she is a Muslim.
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An empowering story about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it. Aaliyah is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living in the Midlands - she's into her books, shoes, K-pop and she is a Muslim.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Fight Back and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-14 years old
Fight Back features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Gritty Reads, PSHE: Bullying and Discrimination, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, PSHE: Multiculturalism, Diversity and Inclusion, School Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Fight Back was written by A. M. Dassu and published by Scholastic
Fight Back has 370 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
