I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to recommend it to readers. I kept seeing this meme circulating this past week to live life like it is September 12th, 2001 but it didn't sit well with me. As a result of the 9-11 attacks racism towards Muslims, Arabs, and South Asians sky rocketed. This book is an excellent take on how we can combat the racism. Love is greater than hate, let's continue to spread that message and overcome the bullies.

Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero is a poignant look at the impact of 9/11 on Muslim communities in America. This book encourages self-examination and delves into ways to deal with prejudice around us. Alternating between past (2001) and present (2021), with mentions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this realistic middle grade book is perfect for helping kids make sense of 9/11. Bonus points for healthy male friendships and a STEM-loving protagonist.

Living in a small Texas town, Yusef, who has just entered middle school, knows nothing about the events of 9/11/ 2001. On the twentieth anniversary of that horrid day, the community is planning a commemorative event. Yusef, whose father owns a store and seems to be accepted by the community as are the other Muslims in the area. Things are changing, thanks to the conservative group, The Patriots Sons. While small in number their vocal hatred spews forth. Upset that the Islamic community is building a new mosque, the Patriot Sons are determined to stop the building process. Yusef is caught in the middle. He doesn’t want to bring attention to his family, but someone must stand up to the bullies. As the story unfolds, he’s reading the journal of his uncle, a middle-schooler at the time. Reading this helps convince Yusef, he must stand up to the school bully. While the ending seemed too happy, with the Christian church next to the new mosque coming over to help, the power of this book comes in seeing people stand up for themselves and the power in looking for what has caused hatred, and learning to understand that people might be swayed by the loud hatred, but the strength of those being bullies by returning love instead of hate, can also influence people.

Step into the shoes of Yusef around the 20th anniversary of 9/11, a Pakistani-American Muslim who lives in a small Texas town. He’s bullied at his middle school with hateful notes and his small community is besieged with hate and anger from the Patriot Sons group. Yusef tries to focus on his robotics team and his family but when a robotic toy that he made for his sister gets him accused of bomb-making and detained at the jail for twelve hours, he has to decide how he’ll respond. Assimilate, leave, only befriend other Muslims, or stand up to the bullies. He decides to take his father’s advice and try using love to overcome hate… Growing up is hard but in this is a powerful story inspired by true events, you will feel deep empathy and sorrow for what Yusef experiences because of his religious beliefs.

A very timely middle grade release, particularly in terms of delving into the impact of 9/11 for young readers who live in a world shaped by it but have no memories of the day itself and might not have even been given specific explanation of that time period, as well as detailing the post-9/11 experience for Muslims in the US. I really appreciated the well-rounded characters, including Yusuf, but also his pessimistic/realist best friend Danial; Yusuf's parents who have different outlooks and strategies illuminated by their differing backgrounds and whose viewpoints are each at times justified by the events of the story; new friend Jared; and even minor characters like Sameena Aunty. Yusuf's world also seemed very full, worries over his little sister's asthma, work at his father's dollar store, and his robotics team dreams coexisting with experiences of racism and major questions about world events. I did find that the placement of the bomb incident closer to the end of the book disrupted the pacing a little, and that the Holocaust references felt a little shoehorned. The integration of COVID mentions into the story also felt a little odd, although I understand why - on the one hand, it would feel disingenuous to write a story taking place specifically in fall 2021 and not add mentions of such a significant event, but on the other hand, the pandemic is still very much a current event in fall 2021, so a story where it's something which happened rather than something which is happening felt off. However, this is overall a well-written book with an important story to tell which will appeal to plenty of realistic fiction lovers, perhaps to read alongside Senzai's Shooting Kabul.

Middle school can be hard for anyone but growing up as a Muslim-American in a small town in Texas during the 20 year anniversary of 9/11 adds extra complexities to this time of life. Yusuf Azeem is excited to start 6th grade so he can finally participate in the Texas Robotics Competition. But when he starts receiving notes in his locker that say "Go Home" and a local bully spews hate messages about his religious community, he must make a choice about how he reacts - do nothing or stand up for himself and others. This contemporary fiction story shows the impact of hatred and intolerance as well as love and inclusion on young people and the importance of protecting all kids. I highly recommend this book to young readers who like stories that make you think about big issues and put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Quill Tree for an advanced e-ARC of this book to review. I always adore Saadia Faruqi's writing, and the characters she so beautifully brings to life. Yusuf Azeem is a true gem, and his story, "Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero" is fantastically done.

This story follows Yusuf as he takes on the daunting challenge of starting middle school, which he's really excited about - especially the prospect of joining a robotics club and maybe being able to meet new friends who love building/creating and even one day entering competitions with their designs. But his back-to-school moment of navigating new friendships and space is also coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. He has heard about this mostly as a historical event, but as he sees "Never Forget" type signage around, he realizes the ways it still lives on: in memory, in hurt, in culture, and especially in anti-Muslim sentiment. (Unsurprisingly, Yusuf's school has seemingly little ability to differentiate between regular ol' middle school bullying/awkwardness/growing pains and hateful harassment. Ugh.)

Reading this book a week before the 20th anniversary as the dates sped ahead on the page is a surreal feeling. Like Yusuf, I was around years old and a few days into middle school on 9/11/2001. I also can't believe that was (both) only/already 20 years ago, but to Yusuf, it doesn't feel real. When Yusuf's uncle gives him his own sixth grade journal writings from that time, he begins to understand what it was like to experience all the confusion, hurt, tensions and hatred, particularly as a young Muslim boy, right after the attacks - and he can draw parallels that are showing up in modern day in his own Texan hometown. Yusuf gets harassing notes in his locker, and he hears those horrible "go back to your country" taunts, but isn't sure about why he's a target or what he can do about them. His uncle's journals, paired with a school research project into 9/11, offer him a broader understanding, and prompts him to talk to the adults in his life about issues he maybe wouldn't otherwise bring up. Importantly, he starts to balance individual experiences (like his, his uncle's, his father's...) with collective experiences, like Muslim experience, shared U.S. memories, etc. Yusuf also reflects deeply on his religion, which he holds close, and sees so much community and responsibility there. While these are complex and heavy topics, this story combines the individual and collective fabulously for younger readers - so we see Yusuf as a rounded and multi-dimensional character who cares deeply about a hundred varying things, like his family, robotics club, friends, community, religion, academics - all at once.

This book was both complex and kind, a great read for readers who weren’t yet born when 9/11 happened to understand not only that moment in history, but how it influences everything today. Yusuf is strong and brave and smart in ways we all want our kids to be. He asks questions and struggles with himself and his friends. He worries about what others think but he sticks to his gut and pursues his passion. All readers will benefit from knowing him.

This is such an important book for not only middle grade readers, but parents and educators. The after effects of 9/11 are still felt to this day this story highlights the emotional spectrum the event wrought, particularly in the Muslim community. Great, necessary read!

The 20th anniversary of 9/11 is fast approaching, & 6th grader Yusuf is surrounded by talks of the attacks & anti-Muslim sentiments in his small Texas town. With a mostly-present-day setting, the book also goes back to 2001 and the experiences of Yusuf's uncle as chronicled in his journal. I like how this book includes storylines involving children and adults, it provides a well-rounded perspective on how people may behave and how to potentially correct that behavior. An incredibly timely book!

I thought this book dealt with a sensitive topic with grace and sensitivity. The story follows Yusuf and his town as they deal with the 20 year anniversary of the September 11 attacks. It is also a story of middle school, complete with friendships, family, classes, and bullies. While I occasionally found the main character a bit too perfect, a bit too forgiving, I was impressed by the depth of characterization of his friends and family. I also liked the way the book immersed me in a culture that is not my own, with little sayings, endearments, and mentions of cuisine which are new to me but build the character's rich world. The sweetest part of the story is Yusuf's relationship with his little sister. Whenever he'd start to annoy me as a character, his loving big brother role would win me over again.

Yusuf has spent his whole life in small town Frey, TX right outside of Houston.Yusuf was starting 6th grade and beginning to realize middle school was not so easy - horrible notes were getting left in his locker every day; “Go home. We hate you.” It’s the 20th year anniversary of 9/11 and the hatred for Muslims in his small town is coming out more than ever from this group called “Patriot Sons”. Horrible things start happening and even more, his family becomes a target. Trying not to “be the hero” but also standing up for what he believes in shows some major courage in Yusuf and his friends. Yusuf is gearing up for the first ever TRC competition and finds himself in a handcuffed position due to the son of of these Patriot Sons claiming he had a bomb. Yusuf is having to learn to stand tall. Be above the negativity, the pessimism, the hate, and be a leader for his TRC team and all of those looking at his next move.
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I LOVED this story. The true way to build empathy an understanding of others - providing a safe space to discuss all involved (and the backstory of the true events this was based around).. To me, this reflects so much the mantra “see something, say something” - Yusuf starts to stand up for what he knows needs to be done without showing fear.
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Out September 7, and an absolute must read. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
CW: racism, racist acts, Islamophobia, bullying.

Another powerful by Saadia Faruqi! Yusuf is a great kid, friend, and brother -- and his optimism in the face of racism and bullying is inspiring. I wish our country was a better place, but books like Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero will hopefully start important conversations and plant seeds of empathy.

“Then people must unite against hatred and choose love.”
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Yusuf Azeem spent his whole life in Frey, TX, a small town outside of Houston. Heading into middle school the only worry Yusuf has is creating a robotics team with his friends to be able to go to the state competition. But this year isn’t going like he planned. It’s the 20 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks against the Twin Towers and the hatred against Muslims that was spawned long ago finds a resurgence leading up to the date. “Never Forget” banners and the creation of a new town group called the Patriot Sons incites hatred towards Yusuf, his best friend Danial, and their entire community. When Yusuf’s uncle sees him struggling to keep his joy, he gives him the journal he kept when the 9/11 attacks occurred. Will Yusuf be able to rise above the hatred, prejudices, racism and stereotypes to show that love and kindness are the way we should live?
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This MG book hit really close to home for a couple reasons. I was Amma’s age when 9/11 happened and I remember seeing the hatred and violent acts against the Muslim community on the news. I would like to say things have gotten better in our society, but the past few years have made that difficult. As a robotics coach in small Texas town I also connected with the educators in the story. Many times we know when bullying occurs but without proof/witnesses it’s hard to uphold punishments. I loved how the administration handles the incident in the novel. I wish I could have every child in my district read this book now more than ever. It will be an amazing read aloud. TY Netgalley for the ARC. This book releases on September 7. Saadia, thank you so much for suggesting I read your latest book—it’s my favorite so far! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CW: racism, racist acts, Islamophobia

4 stars

Yusuf is an 11 (going on 12 by the novel's conclusion) year old fellow living in Texas with his parents and younger sister, and he is busy learning some very difficult life lessons from the first to last page. He's one to root for and that's a good thing; he needs the support!

When the novel begins, Yusuf is starting the school year and noticing changes with his friends, social expectations, and the - for him - abrupt appearance of Islamophobia in his small town. For Yusuf, this is most pronounced when he starts finding racist notes in his locker at school, but it carries over into some horrifying bullying by not only one primary kid but also a whole group of appalling adults. Faruqi provides ample instances of different kinds of bullying as well as different reactions to it, and this is a strength of the novel overall. The target audience will be easily able to locate helpful and applicable material for their own experiences and certainly build sympathy or empathy as a result.

Yusuf's connections to his culture and religion are nicely developed. The Muslim community in this town is small but tight, and much like there are many different kinds of/reactions to bullying at school, there are many different trials for the adults (as well as responses to them). Faruqi again provides an array of characters who reflect different comfort levels and styles of intervention. The depiction is age appropriate and realistic, so readers get insight into how both children and adults can behave badly and correct that behavior in their communities.

On top of all of the social and personal turmoil, Yusuf deals with typical middle school business, works toward a major competition with his robotics club (which I really want to join), and reads passages from the journal his uncle wrote when he was around Yusuf's age...during 9/11. There is a lot happening!

Overall I really enjoyed this novel (my second by this author) and look forward to more. I do feel like this runs a bit didactic at times, and there are some details/relationships that could be more developed. It would be nice to see a character or two or an incident or two come out and that remaining attention go to that aforementioned expansion. I will recommend this to students and to those looking for a generally solid middle grade effort.

Yusuf Azeem is navigating life post 9/11 as a Muslim American. This perspective is not often considered in middle grade literature, but it is an essential one to understanding how the lives of all Americans were affected after the terror attacks. This story will open the door to having tough yet important conversations about how words and actions deeply affect others. I highly recommend this novel.

Yusuf is a Muslim boy who is excited about starting middle school, but his excitement is quickly crushed when he opens his locker and finds a note that says, “You suck.” The notes continue, and Yusuf can’t understand why; he’s just a regular boy whose family owns the town’s dollar store and who dreams of winning the Texas Robotics Competition.

Yusuf’s world starts to get complicated - the town plans a parade for the upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11, and a group of townspeople who call themselves Patriot Sons start to voice their hatred for the Muslim people who live there. Things get tense as the Patriot Sons try to stop the construction of a mosque, and Yusuf tries to stand up to the middle school bully who makes it known that he hates Muslims.

Yusuf tries to understand how the hatred started by reading his uncle’s journals; his uncle was around his age when 9/11 happened.

Yusuf’s dad was a hero when he thwarted a robbery at his store - can Yusuf also be a hero and stand up to the Patriot Sons? Does he even want to be a hero?

This book covers a lot - xenophobia, family, religious traditions, health and COVID-19, police detaining a child, violence against Muslims, and forgiveness. It is all done in a way that is appropriate for middle grade readers and in a way that will capture their attention and keep them reading to find out how it ends. This is a great book that will start a lot of meaningful discussions.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the e-galley of this book!

It is hard to believe that it has been 20 years since the tragedy of September 11, and this 368 page upper middle grades novel is very relatable to kids about to experience the anniversary and to us adults that were in high school/college when the event occurred. The book is very contemporary mentioning Covid-19 and grappling with the effects of the attacks, the war, the Patriot Act, and Islamophobia, both at the time of the terrorist attacks and now, 20 years later. The characters are unapologetically Muslim, and doctrine, practice, culture, and rebellion are all included in a book that takes a bit of time to get going, but then holds you close and makes the characters feel like old friends who sat around the table telling you their story. The middle school characters present in a lot of shades of gray as they learn about themselves, their place, and begin to understand those around them. There isn't really a lot of resolution in the book, it is more a snap shot of life and the stresses that Muslim communities in the US feel and have felt for the last two decades. Possible concerns: a group of Muslim kids dress as Santa Clause as they sneak out to trick-or-treat, the kids discuss eating halal or not and just not telling their parents as well as discussing the requirements and purpose of hijab, an Uncle has a girlfriend and is off to meet her parents, and a Muslim boy wears an earring. All pretty tame, and really pretty judgement free, alhumdulillah.

SYNOPSIS:


Yusuf Azeem is excited to be starting middle school, but when he swings open his brand new locker and finds a note saying, "You suck," he is rattled. Surely the note was not meant for him, he doesn't have any enemies. He is the son of the beloved owner of the local dollar store in tiny Frey, Texas. He loves robotics and dreams of being on the middle school robotics team and winning the Texas Robotics Competition. But the next day there is a note again. Best friend Danial is convinced middle school is going to be awful, but ever optimistic Yusuf is not ready to concede, although he really doesn't want to be a hero either. However, with the 20th anniversary of September 11th approaching, and the appearance of a group calling themselves The Patriot Sons, life is getting very tense for the Muslim families, and their friends, in this small Southern Town.

Yusuf and his friends gather at robotics club and at the Mosque the parents are building themselves. They sort through their differences, they work on their friendships and they start to find their own thoughts and opinions. Along the way Yusuf is given his uncle's diary that was written during the 9/11 attacks and the first hand account allows Yusuf to broaden his view of this historical event, combined with him understanding his Sunday school lessons and seeing himself and others bullied, really forces Yusuf to decide who he wants to be, and if in fact he can avoid being a hero.

On the surface there is discussion of xenophobia, being a Muslim in America, and interfaith cooperation, but there is also some very frightening and real-life based inspiration of vandalism, and imprisonment of a child that play heavily on the storyline.

WHY I LIKE IT:

I love the relationship of Yusuf and his much younger sister. She is in awe of her big brother, and he is absolutely adorable with her, whether it is babysitting her dollies or programming her unicorn games, it is precious. I also love the diversity within the Muslim families in Frey. There are hijabis and non hijabis, halal only and eat outside meat folk, there are very chill and very nosey aunties, but they all stick together, there aren't that many of them and I love it. Similarly, the non Muslim side characters also are not a monolith, they grow and change and have their own lines that need to be drawn within families. The town rallies and the robot thread is strong, but I didn't feel like the book had a storyline and plot and resolution, it just kind of shows the characters, and gives a glimpse in to their lives, so I was left with a lot of questions: how was the little sister's health, what happened to the Patriot Sons, did the mayor finally stand up to them, did the uncle get married, where was Cameron's mom, did Jared's mom stay home or did she just get a leave for Thanksgiving, did Jared's grandma ever get involved?

The character I struggled the most with was the mom. She is an American born daughter of immigrants, she lived through the attacks in America, she is competent and articulate, but I feel like she doesn't quite radiate the strength I wanted her to have. I wanted to love her, and I wanted to be inspired by her and her frustrations, but she seemed to just fade in most instances. The dad is a bit underdeveloped too, he has a shop, but few customers, I'm kind of worried about the financial security of the family, and then takes weird gifts to the neighboring church on Christmas Eve.

I didn't understand why so many people didn't want to talk about their 9/11 experience. I get that everyone deals and views things differently, but I have never really found people hesitant to talk about the attacks and the aftermath. I was at the University of Utah studying Mass Communication on that day, I've interviewed a lot of people over the years regarding what they experienced, and talked to my kids and had others talk to my kids, no one has ever once shown hesitancy, so I initially struggled with the premise that Yusuf didn't know what he wasn't supposed to forget and why his family kept trying to avoid talking about the changes of life before and life after.

The book does a good job of articulating how painful the loss of life was for all of humanity and showing that Muslims were both grieving the deaths and destruction, while also having to defend their separation from those that committed the atrocities.

I do love that Sunday school lessons, and elder advice, and khutbahs are a part of the tools given to Yusuf to sort through his world and decision making processes. I like that he pushes back and doesn't just accept everything thrown at him. Even the nosey harsh aunties he finds connection with and tries to see their experiences, it really is impressive.

FLAGS:

It talks about the death tolls and the gut wrenching loss of life. There is also bullying, and false imprisonment, and a crime with a gun that is mentioned. There is a hijab pulled off, vandalism of a Muslim owned store, there are threats and pushing. Yusuf's uncle is out of town and his mom and grandma are bickering that he is meeting his girlfriend's parents, so it isn't clear if it is all arranged, or everyone is on board or if it is something more or less than what it is. Cameron has an earring. Danial doesn't eat outside meat, but really wants too. The kids don't lie necessarily, but they sneak out in Santa Clause costumes to trick or treat on Halloween after commenting that they shouldn't and don't celebrate the holiday. Yusuf's dad knows Christmas carols and discusses his favorites at interfaith exchanges, the highly religious, "Silent Night" is among them. A cat also goes missing, an incident from the diary, and then is placed on the doorstep dead.

TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:

I think, like with other 9/11 books I've done as book club selections, just sharing my experience and asking any other teachers to chime in with theirs is enough to take fiction out from the pages and make it real for the kids. They then ask questions, connect it to the text and to their history lessons and the story resonates with the historical event. I think this book could work for a middle school book club and provide a lot, aside from the Islamophobia to discuss, I think it would in fact be a great book to start the school year off with to get to know the kids and how they view the world.

Even though it has been 20 years since 9/11, Yusuf's story shows that many of the Islamaphobic feelings in America are still present today. Yusuf faces both micro and macro aggressions on a regular basis and tries to figure out how to deal with them. For today's students, this is historical fiction and will provide some insight into why adults around them find this day so important to our history. Another great middle great read from Saadia Faurqi.

Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life growing up in the small town of Frey, Texas. His passion is electronics and the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can help his school win. Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge. The small town has proudly displayed "Never Forget" banners everywhere. But there is a hostile group of townspeople who want the established and respected by most, Muslim families, out and gone. This takes many forms of hate. An organized Protest group called The Patriot Sons, hurtful messages slipped into Yusuf’s locker, the sabotage attempts of the building of a Mosque, an incident where a student hijab is snatched from her head, and the climaxing event involving the backpack. It is unbelievable that anger from two decades ago hasn't gone away. Can Yusuf hold onto his joy-and his friendships-in the face of such heartache and prejudice?

This is an important story and also important to middle school readers a well paced and interesting book. Early on Yusuf gets a true insight into 9/11 when Uncle Rahman realizes the schools in Texas simply touch on the event in the classroom. He gives Yusuf his journal he wrote during the attack and events following. The journal entries are strategically, placed throughout the story written in Italic print.

This book is so well multifaceted as we view the rich home life and customs of Muslum families, the raciest and bullies that are students and sadly the behavior is learned from parents and then there us the exciting STEM component of the robotics competition. The events are all wrapped up in the very real drama of middle school life.
This book will evoke all kinds of emotions for the reader.