Boy vs. Girl - Hardcover

Robert, Na'ima

3.93

253 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1847801501 ISBN 13: 9781847801500

Publisher: Lincoln Children's Books, 2011

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

Farhana and Faraz are twins, born 6 minutes apart. Both are in turmoil as they approach the holy time of Ramadan. Farhana has to decide whether her faith is strong enough for her to wear the hijab at school and whether she can give up her relationship with handsome Malik. Faraz has fallen in with a street gang headed by unscrupulour Skrooz, when all he really wants is to combine his faith and his talent for art. Both teenagers have life-changing choices to make, against the peaceful backdrop of Ramadan. Do Farhana and Faraz have enough courage to do the right thing? And can they help each other - or will one of them draw the other towards catastrophe? When Faraz finally says no to the drug-dealing demands of Skrooz, it sets off a dangerous chain of events. This powerful novel explores ideas of right and wrong, and honour, and what they mean to different generations of Muslim families living in the west.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Na'ima B Robert is descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father's side and the Zulu people on her mother's side. She was brought up in Zimbabwe and went on to university in London.

Review:

Here's the thing that makes Boy Vs Girl such a stand-out: It's a coming of age story with a backdrop of faith that might be written for Muslim teens or might be written for me, a person of another faith who appreciates a good story. It works either way which is no small feat. The writing is clear and accessible even though it delves into complicated, but universal, issues. This means Robert's work will appeal to a braod age-range and demographic. therockpool.wordpress.com You can tell that the author has put so much of her heart into the novel and her characters. Their dialogue and language rings true, as does the way they act around eachother and towards their friends and family. This unexpected little book is a true gem and I hope it gets a wide audience. www.myfavouritebooks.blogspot.com Written in a light, non-patronising tone and using down-to-earth language, the twins' story, with their differences, similarities, problems and beliefs unfolds. The book is easy to follw with a snappy to-the-point plot, but makes many subtle points that hit home. Don't be fooled into thinking these are rose-tinted taoes about girls who can't match their headscarves to their henna; these books feature realistic characters dealing with issue relevant to youth - Muslim and non-Muslim - today. www.campusalam.org Gives an interesting insight into a culture that some readers might be quite unfamiliar with... And you probably won't see the ending coming... Armadillo Magazine This book confronts some challenging issues and offers a relevant read for anyone interested in the tensions which play themselves out within families and between cultures. School Librarian Very accessible for teens who want to understand more about Muslim culture, with a handy glossary of Asian and Arabic words and phrases at the back of the book. But the heart of the story s the unbreakable and close bond between brother and sister and how, despite their different journeys, they draw on their shared love and courage to do the right thing. Eastern Eye I found myself admiring and respecting the ambition of this novel, caught up in the characters and their journeys, caring how things turned out for them; and very much wanting to know what Muslim readers would make of it. Books for Keeps

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.