It’s true! Luke shouted, pointing at me. I’m telling you, she’s bald under there! I’ll show you guys! Regarding the plot, I think it was depicted well. I also think that despite it has hate crime and racism scenes, those scenes are kinda 'light' imo. I believe a crueler, much harsher thing already happened or still happening in the real world towards muslims or refugees. However, I am satisfied with the plot, the writing, and the representation inside this book. It was... truly brilliant for a debut novel. Those racist and islamophobic scenes made me so mad and angry beyond me. I cant believe that this thing might happened to people. This book can be the voice that represents those who are discriminated by the world. Truly refreshing, gripping and mind-opening. I personally think more people should read this book at least once, so that they would know how someone who is being discriminated feels like. The two of us went our separate ways after that. Me, to Grafton Grammar, and Hussein, to Northwell High. We became different people with different dreams, but we were always still two halves of the same whole – Hanan and Hussein. Thankfully, that’s never changed; we’re both still there for each other when it matters. My one qualm really was with the 'town hall' style meeting at the end. I'm unconvinced that school policies are changed in an open forum and vote like this when not every parent may be present. It made a wonderful set-piece, but as a governor myself I'm not certain this is actually how decisions are made in British schools.

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud - The School Reading List

I thought about her life and experience, so the character of Hanan started there. It just felt necessary. It was difficult writing from the perspective of a refugee, as I’m born and bred in North London, but so necessary because there’s so much anti-refugee rhetoric in the media. I lean in without question. Nasra’s a chronic hugger and any hesitation in indulging her demands usually leads to questions about the integrity of our friendship. You Think You Know Me’ is a book that belongs in every secondary school library; it’s heartfelt and educational, all whilst being engaging and brilliantly written. It carries important messages too, of acceptance, bravery and kindness to name a few. Mohamud said: “I’m beyond excited to be publishing this book with Usborne. You Think You Know Me holds a special place in my heart and I knew after meeting Sarah and Rebecca that the story felt special for them too. It’s been an absolute dream to write a book that features the kind of characters I never saw in books growing up and a privilege to write something that I hope challenges people’s perceptions about Muslims. I want to thank the whole team at Usborne for championing this book and also my fabulous agent Clare who believed in me and Hanan’s story right from the start.”

I try to squint past the crowd, to see if I can make out anything, but all I see is endless police tape.

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (9781803704500 You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (9781803704500

In the end You think You know me explores Islamophobia, bullying and racism. In my opinion the actual basic theme of the novel is that you can’t judge a whole community based on the actions of a single person.

Oh, nothing’s more important than that, I reply with my most serious expression. A zombie apocalypse couldn’t even match the distress you must be feeling right now.

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud | Goodreads

I am so thankful YTYKM is out in the world now. I don’t know why I expected the extent of Islamophobia to be dulled down but I assure you its portrayal of that and racism in Britain was striking. The prejudice Muslims face on the daily and our determination despite it wasn't made palatable. It was honest and I appreciate that. Hello Yellow - 80 Books to Help Children Nurture Good Mental Health and Support With Anxiety and Wellbeing - When I requested this ARC by looking at its cover and plot, it sounded promising to me. But believe me this book is a lot more than that. I have rated this as a 5 star read but in truth, I want to rate it as a 7/5 star read🤭.

Format

So this book is not going to be an easy read as it contains some distressing scenes which I have mentioned in the content warning.

You Think You Know Me - ReadingZone You Think You Know Me - ReadingZone

I snake through the lunchtime crowd to find my friends, keeping an eye out for Jessica and her co-Braids. They’re the other two girls in that toxic trio; three cut-throat girls with the hair of angels. All living, breathing, walking contradictions.

Synopsis

Usborne has won a three-way auction for debut author Ayaan Mohamud’s YA novel You Think You Know Me, inspired by her experiences of Islamophobia and a desire to write about Somali culture. Hanan has always been the good, quiet, well-behaved girl that she not wants to be, but has to be. She’s already a target for bullying by a group at school her friends call The Braids (mean girls amped up) and being loud, speaking up, would make her more of a target for their hate. Even her teachers use her for her image as their flawless, poster child for a Muslim student at the school. But Hanan has dreams, wishes, and desires to speak her mind and stand up for herself and every other person that gets the same racist undertones (which is just blatant racism most of the time.) The characters, Hanan and her friends (teenage girls), were portrayed perfectly and I quite enjoyed their company. I was a bit frustrated by some of their behaviour but I had to remind myself they were teenagers doing teenage things.