I was expecting a review copy of the book She Wore Red Trainers in my mailbox any time. It was early September, the time of year when the kids start school, get busy with homework, enroll in a soccer team, and so on, so it is the time of year when I have no time to do anything for myself, let alone reading a book! This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love. When teenage Ali first notices girls, his Dad advises him to fast, work out and keep his distance. Ali's mother has died and the family is moving to south London so his Dad can find work. One day Ali sees Amirah, and although she's wearing a hijab, he notices her lovely face, defiant chin and her red trainers, just like his. Amirah is the second child in a family of 5 kids, their family had no stable father, their mum gets married after every divorce in the search for happiness, this leaves her broken and depressed after each marriage, and her children their share of the break, especially Aminah because she is left with the care of her siblings at her mercy.

When Ali first meets Amirah, he notices everything about her--her hijab, her long eyelashes and her red trainers--in the time it takes to have one look, before lowering his gaze. And, although Ali is still coming to terms with the loss of his mother and exploring his identity as a Muslim, and although Amirah has sworn never to get married, they can't stop thinking about each other. Can Ali and Amirah ever have a halal "happily ever after"?

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I believe Roberts was able to build up a love story between Amirah and Ali in a realistic manner, within what the characters consider to be “halal limitations.” Some people might think of this idea as a limitation to what Robert writes, but personally, and despite the fact that I sometimes disagree with her views, I see it as part of the community that I come from.

Amirah's life is not easy either. Her mum is on husband number six, and her brother is determined to arrange her marriage. Amirah's dreams of becoming an art therapist do not feature in Zayd's plans. Nor does romance with their new neighbour Ali. The book is divided into chapters; every other chapter is told from the perspective of Ali or Amirah, so, for example, we start with Ali talking about his life and what is going on with him, and then in the next chapter, Amirah talks about her life from her own perspective. I like that approach, because some incidents in the book are told twice but from different perspectives, and that is exactly how some aspects of our lives get interpreted in different ways, as people look at things from their own perspectives. Published in 2014, She Wore Red Trainers by Na’ima B. Roberts is a young adult novel set in South London. The arena is a Muslim community that is closely knit and believes Islam to be the saving grace in a world devoid of morality, where only married love is ‘ halal’ and therefore acceptable and 18-year-olds are encouraged to succumb to their ‘emotional’ needs and tie the knot. As one of the characters, Auntie Azra, contends, Salama Kassab was a pharmacy student when the cries for freedom broke out in Syria. She still had her parents and her big brother; she still had her home. She had a normal teenager’s life. Ali is a hardworking student and a basketball player, who just moved to London with his father and brothers for the summer vacation. Amirah is a talented high school student, who is in love with the arts. She lives with her mother, stepfather, sister, and two brothers. By observing the daily details of the relationships between Ali and his family, and Amirah and her family, readers are able to dissect their lives and understand how such relationships caused them to take certain decisions.When Ali first meets Amirah, he notices everything about her—her hijab, her long eyelashes and her red trainers—in the time it takes to have one look, before lowering his gaze. And, although Ali is still coming to terms with the loss of his mother and exploring his identity as a Muslim, and although Amirah has sworn never to get married, they can’t stop thinking about each other. Can Ali and Amirah ever have a halal “happily ever after”? She Wore Red Trainers by Na’ima B. Robert – eBook Details When sixteen-year-old Amal decides to wear the hijab full-time, her entire world changes, all because of a piece of cloth... if a young person feels that they are physically and emotionally ready to be in a relationship, Islam encourages them to do it the right way, with honour. Why do we see nothing wrong with 13-year-olds having sex — which they do — but have such a problem with the idea of an 18 or 19 year old getting married?’ Brilliant idea! Excellent! Muslim dating? Well, I had no idea you were allowed to date.' Then he leaned towards me and looked at me sympathetically. 'Are your parents quite disappointed?'

Once Upon an Eid is a collection of short stories that showcases the most brilliant Muslim voices writing today, all about the most joyful holiday of the year: Eid! Ali and Aminah met by chance at the basketball court on a day she wore red trainers,and had to struggle between Aminah’s brother ,Zayd due to his overprotectiveness, keeping it halal and dealing with their feelings. When Ali first meets Amirah, he notices everything about her—her hijab, her long eyelashes and her red trainers—in the time it takes to have one look, before lowering his gaze. And, although Ali is still coming to terms with the loss of his mother and exploring his identity as a Muslim, and although Amirah has sworn never to get married, they can't stop thinking about each other. Can Ali and Amirah ever have a halal "happily ever after"? I felt at some points that there were unnecessary details inserted into the story, probably to make the novel longer, or maybe seen by the writer as essential to the buildup of the plot. But I felt it could have been shorter, and the end could have been reached faster.

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A very timely and topical story about a Muslim girl struggling to balance both cultures while staying true to her family and faith. An enlightening and uplifting story for young teens. A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.