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Product Description
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 )
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 )
Product Description
Farhana swallowed and reached for the hijab. But then she saw with absolute clarity the weird looks from the other girls at school, and the smirks from the guys. Did she dare? And then there was Malik... What should she do about him?
Faraz was thinking about Skrooz and the lads. Soon he would finally have the respect of the other kids at school. But at what price? He heard Skrooz's voice, sharp as a switchblade: "This thing is powerful, blud. But you have to earn it, see? Just a few more errands for me..."
They're twins, born 6 minutes apart. Both are in turmooil and both 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?
Faraz was thinking about Skrooz and the lads. Soon he would finally have the respect of the other kids at school. But at what price? He heard Skrooz's voice, sharp as a switchblade: "This thing is powerful, blud. But you have to earn it, see? Just a few more errands for me..."
They're twins, born 6 minutes apart. Both are in turmooil and both 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?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This book is about some of the challenges faced by Muslim youth, torn between their religion, this society and their parents cultural expectations. It is set over one month showing the changes that happen for one sister and brother over the month of Ramadan.
Initially when reading the first chapter or two I wasn't too impressed and didn't think I was going to like the book, as the relationships between the characters didn't seem believable at first but after getting further into the book I started to really enjoy it, and at the end I was sorry to finish it and would have happily read more.
This book covers a lot of relevant issues for Muslim teenagers and young people, such as starting to wear hijab, relationships, marrying outside of your own background, expectations from parents, peer pressure and gangs. It would be an encouraging read for young Muslims trying to get more into practising their religion as it shows how both of the twins found solace in the religion, especially fasting and praying taraweeh.
The book seems accessible to non Muslim readers too, as it has a glossary at the back and aspects of the religion are explained well for those who wouldn't know, such as about fasting in Ramadan. I think perhaps that is partly why I didn't enjoy the first chapter or so as it seemed more focused on explaining what is Ramadan, for those who didn't know, whereas I did not really need that explanation myself and found that part a bit "wooden", but it is definitely worth reading past that and continuing on with the rest of the book as it does get quite gripping.
By the end of the book you feel attached to the characters, and it is as if you have been through a journey with all of them. I would recommend it especially for teenagers, and am quite interested in reading this authors other novel now.
Initially when reading the first chapter or two I wasn't too impressed and didn't think I was going to like the book, as the relationships between the characters didn't seem believable at first but after getting further into the book I started to really enjoy it, and at the end I was sorry to finish it and would have happily read more.
This book covers a lot of relevant issues for Muslim teenagers and young people, such as starting to wear hijab, relationships, marrying outside of your own background, expectations from parents, peer pressure and gangs. It would be an encouraging read for young Muslims trying to get more into practising their religion as it shows how both of the twins found solace in the religion, especially fasting and praying taraweeh.
The book seems accessible to non Muslim readers too, as it has a glossary at the back and aspects of the religion are explained well for those who wouldn't know, such as about fasting in Ramadan. I think perhaps that is partly why I didn't enjoy the first chapter or so as it seemed more focused on explaining what is Ramadan, for those who didn't know, whereas I did not really need that explanation myself and found that part a bit "wooden", but it is definitely worth reading past that and continuing on with the rest of the book as it does get quite gripping.
By the end of the book you feel attached to the characters, and it is as if you have been through a journey with all of them. I would recommend it especially for teenagers, and am quite interested in reading this authors other novel now.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sister Nai'ma has pulled off yet another amazing piece of literature. It surprised me but this book actually brought me to tears! As a teenager I can totally empathise with the characters, and though they are not of the same nationality/origin/culture as the author, she manages to make it fluid and very real. It doesn't feel like an introduction to a new culture, just a novel with a good message. The story is short but covers some very deep themes and values. Just give it a read!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If I was to create a tag for this product, it would definitely be 'fairy stories'. After moderately liking 'From Somalia With Love', I found 'Boy vs. Girl' a teensy bit predictable and saccharine.
Other reviews have described the story line, so I won't bother. I will start by saying how from the second page of the story, it was blatantly obvious that the 'heroine' of the story, Farhana, was going to embrace the concept of hijab wholeheartedly, in fact I was surprised that the rest of the female 'cast' - her family members who were all so vehemently opposed to hijab - didn't take it up with gusto thanks to the 'spiritual enlightenment' Farhana receives during the month of Ramadan.
Other characters including Faraz, the would-be rudeboy with a burgeoning emotional soft centre, Shazia the 'oppressed' Muslim school girl with a religiously conservative father, and Robina the Muslim 'It' girl were all shamelessly stereotypical. And it's with regards to characters that Na'ima does once again what is quickly becoming her trademark; injecting one of her characters with a rather heavy dose of herself (as gleaned from her other publications). 'Najma' the bouncy, articulate former party girl with the first class honours degree gone all 'pious' and sporting niqaab, jilbaab and determined to save the young Muslims of Britain from the fitna of Western 'corruption', takes over from where 'Umm Abdullah' left off in 'From Somalia With Love', except that her role is less of a sideline this time round.
To be fair, there are some interesting preconceptions that are challenged here, namely that of Pakistani reluctance to marry other nationalities/races, Asian perceptions of how they feel the majority perceives them, double standards as regards gender behaviour and expectations within the Pakistani community and how they sometimes view/treat non-Muslims/Whites (especially women). This however is a subject big enough to fill a much larger book but she does at least recognise and explore, however briefly, these ideas.
Others have commented on the slow beginning of the book but for me this was the most enjoyable part. The complex build-up of events was alright-ish, but the phrase 'deus ex machina' was just made for the climax of events. I won't spoil the ending for you, but let's just say that predictably, everything works out alright in the end.
Highly sugary and predictable in parts (especially where Farhana is concerned) with an 'all lived happily ever after' ending, I guess for the average teenage girl it's slightly more highbrow than Mills and Boon.
Other reviews have described the story line, so I won't bother. I will start by saying how from the second page of the story, it was blatantly obvious that the 'heroine' of the story, Farhana, was going to embrace the concept of hijab wholeheartedly, in fact I was surprised that the rest of the female 'cast' - her family members who were all so vehemently opposed to hijab - didn't take it up with gusto thanks to the 'spiritual enlightenment' Farhana receives during the month of Ramadan.
Other characters including Faraz, the would-be rudeboy with a burgeoning emotional soft centre, Shazia the 'oppressed' Muslim school girl with a religiously conservative father, and Robina the Muslim 'It' girl were all shamelessly stereotypical. And it's with regards to characters that Na'ima does once again what is quickly becoming her trademark; injecting one of her characters with a rather heavy dose of herself (as gleaned from her other publications). 'Najma' the bouncy, articulate former party girl with the first class honours degree gone all 'pious' and sporting niqaab, jilbaab and determined to save the young Muslims of Britain from the fitna of Western 'corruption', takes over from where 'Umm Abdullah' left off in 'From Somalia With Love', except that her role is less of a sideline this time round.
To be fair, there are some interesting preconceptions that are challenged here, namely that of Pakistani reluctance to marry other nationalities/races, Asian perceptions of how they feel the majority perceives them, double standards as regards gender behaviour and expectations within the Pakistani community and how they sometimes view/treat non-Muslims/Whites (especially women). This however is a subject big enough to fill a much larger book but she does at least recognise and explore, however briefly, these ideas.
Others have commented on the slow beginning of the book but for me this was the most enjoyable part. The complex build-up of events was alright-ish, but the phrase 'deus ex machina' was just made for the climax of events. I won't spoil the ending for you, but let's just say that predictably, everything works out alright in the end.
Highly sugary and predictable in parts (especially where Farhana is concerned) with an 'all lived happily ever after' ending, I guess for the average teenage girl it's slightly more highbrow than Mills and Boon.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Refreshing insight into British muslim youth
Asalam wa'aliykum.
First of all, well done to Naima on this wonderful creative and inspirational story. Another great piece of work. Read more
First of all, well done to Naima on this wonderful creative and inspirational story. Another great piece of work. Read more
Published 22 months ago by S. Ragbi
A Twin-view Mirror
Boy vs. Girl is Na'ima B. Robert's second teen novel, one that has similarities with her debut teen novel - From Somalia with Love - but handles different topics. Read more
Published 22 months ago by O. Sanni
Review
This book is about two Pakistani teenage twins - 16 year old Faraz and Farhana. It deals with different problems in a teenage's life, among them being deciding whether or not to... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Nafisa Anvar
I don't know what to say? What is there to say? The book was...
I don't know what to say? What is there to say? The book was magnificent 'MashaAllah!
This book, I must say is the best so far in na'ima's work. Read more
This book, I must say is the best so far in na'ima's work. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Bismillah
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