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(More customer reviews)3.5 stars. Fifteen-year-old Almira didn't get through Ramadan last year without cheating. Her parents were disappointed, her grandfather berated her, and Almira felt humiliated. This year she vows to stick to the fast from sunup to sundown. As the story follows Almira through the month of Ramadan, we learn that while her parents seem modern and "cool," they actually follow traditional Muslim beliefs; these beliefs come across as limits on Almira such as no dating, no picutres of teen movie stars as computer screensavers, and the only choice of husbands in the future is choosing someone which her parents have preselected. Almira at times feels that her upbringing is making a huge hole in her social life. She likes Peter, a boy at school, but so does her best friend. A new girl at school makes her life miserable and even seems to have caught the eye of Peter. Since Almira's not allowed to date, how is she supposed to get the guy? Add to the mix her grandfather, who is teaching Almira to drive. He constantly yells at her and is very opinionated about other people, often yelling, "Prostitute!" at women on the street who are wearing short skirts and makeup. He even yells at Almira's mom when she wears exercise gear around their house.
There are references to pop culture which will date this book quickly, as will the cover photographs. The ending wrapped up a little too neatly for me.
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No pizza. No boyfriend. (No life.)
Okay, so during Ramadan, we're not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. For one whole month. My family does this every year, even though I've been to a mosque exactly twice in my life. And it's true, I could stand to lose a few pounds. (Sadly, my mom's hotness skipped a generation.) But is starvation really an acceptable method? I think not.Even worse, my oppressive parents forbid me to date. This is just cruel and wrong. Especially since Peter, a cute and crushable artist, might be my soul mate. Figures my bestest friend Lisa likes him, too. To top it off, there's a new Muslim girl in school who struts around in super-short skirts, commanding every boy's attention-including Peter's. How can I get him to notice me? And will I ever figure out how to be Muslim and American?Praise:"A humorous, hip look at the ups and downs of fasting for Ramadan within the context of intergenerational and cultural challenges."—KIRKUS REVIEWS"I love Almira Abdul—the honest, tell-it-like-it-is, funny, and very real main character of Medeia Sharif's wonderful, eye-opening debut."—Melissa Senate, author of SEE JANE DATE
"Bestest. Ramadan. Ever.deftly combines humor and poignancy with an authentic teen voice set against the multicultural background of vibrant Miami and Almira's loving yet strict Muslim family."—Paula Yoo, author ofSIXTEEN YEARS IN SIXTEEN SECONDSandGOOD ENOUGH
"I laughed out loud as Almira struggled to fit in with her traditional family as well as the rest of the world."—Sydney Salter,author ofMY BIG NOSE AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS
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