A solid middle grade friendship story as Muslim Pakistani-British Alina figures out love and accept who she is, even her unfortunate last name. The ending is somewhat predictable, with the group of friends working through minor conflicts and the former antagonist also becoming a friend, but the journey to get to the end is well-written and enjoyable.

Expertly hitting so many universal themes that young readers face, this story was funny and engaging. It has definite appeal to a wide variety of readers.

3.5 stars
Alina loves her family, but will never quite forgive her Dad for having the last name of Butt, and giving her a first name with an A…Yep, the jokes fly around “A. Butt’s” name.
Upon arriving in London from Pakistan, and entering a new school, Alina tries to keep her surname a secret, but to no avail. The biggest bully in the class catches on, and relentlessly teases her. Alina is frustrated; she can’t help her last name, so what is this guy’s problem with her, exactly?
Good middle-grade fiction about learning to accept oneself, and with a great theme about realizing that everyone has their own story that they may want to keep secret. Even bullies…
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.”

Thank you to Orca and NetGalley for the eARC!

THE UNLOVABLE ALINA BUTT is a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming MG debut about eleven-year-old Alina Butt, a shy girl from Pakistan who finds herself struggling to fit in in England. Throughout the story, Alina learns to stick up for herself, and discovers the importance of self-love.

This was a very cute story with a great middle grade voice that I think will appeal to all MG readers who have ever felt like they don't fit in. I loved watching Alina gain her confidence throughout the story (and realize just how funny she is!). Her family was a wonderful highlight of the story, and I also really liked how all the side characters were so well fleshed out. I didn't realize at first that the story took place in the early 2000s, but I thought Ambreen Butt-Hussain did a great job of balancing with millennial nostalgia (loved the Spice Girls references!) with a story that kids growing up today will also love.

Overall, this was a great MG debut and I really look forward to seeing what's next from author Ambreen Butt-Hussain. This novel has great themes of self-confidence, self-love, and finding the humour in life, and I loved following Alina on this journey.

This book was so cute and it’s perfect for kids!! This is a good addition for any teacher to have in their classroom 💙

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed The Unlovable Alina Butt. I think every student will find it relatable due to fact the book is so well written. The emotions and reactions Alina feel, as well as her family's responses strike a tinge of familiarity that help the reader become invested .

Not sure if this review makes sense, but read the book, you won't regret it.

A heartfelt and fun book about Alina trying to fit in after moving from Pakistan to England. Adam loves making fun of her last name, Butt, but when Alina makes friends with a group of girls she feels better. Her teacher encourages her to sign up for the Cinderella play and she does. Adam keeps picking on her, and Alina is slowly learning to stand up for herself. When she gets a part in the play, she finds her good friend Emma gets the lead role along with Adam. Alina worries she’ll be made fun of for the part she plays. but she remembers her humor can get her out of awkward situations. When something happens with Adam, she wonders could she and Adam become friends?

Amazing book even if the "bully to ally" plotline was a tad unrealistic. Overall, the story is superb and the characters are nuanced and likeable. We also have a Middle Eastern protagonist with a distinctive first-person voice. I hope there are a lot more readers for Alina Butt!

This is both a sweet and frustrating story of Alina who gets saddled in the UK with a last name of Butt. That is the first problem she has. The second is that she feels out of place, and misses Pakistan.


But, once she shows what a wiz she is at math she gets put in the “smart students” group and makes friends with some other girls, as well as the annoying boy who teases her about her name.


This series of stories of what happens to Aline reminds me of the Bervery Cleary books, if she had been writing about a Pakistani immigrant, instead of Bezzes and Romona, and their adventures. Alina tries out for a revision of the Cinderella play, and gets to play one of the mice that helps Cinderella find her voice and not go off with the prince.


And just like Cinderella, Alina finds her voice as well.


The author said she based many of the instances on things that happened to her. And Alina is very lovable, by the way.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 16th of May, from Orca Books.

This book is anything but unlovable! The characters are well developed and help to drive the story while Alina learns that it doesn't matter what your name is it's who you are inside that really matters.