World of Peachtree Presents ~ The Garden of My Imaan by Farhana Zia ~ Giveaway

About Book

It's hard enough to fit in without also having to decide whether to fast for Ramadan and wear the hijab.

Aliya already struggles with trying to fit in, feeling confident enough to talk to the cute boy, or brave enough to stand up to mean kids-the fact that she's Muslim is just another part of her life. But then Marwa, a Moroccan girl who shares Aliya's faith, if not her culture, moves to town. Marwa's quiet confidence leads Aliya to wonder even more about who she is, what she believes, and where she fits in. In a series of letters to Allah she writes for a Sunday school project, Aliya explores her dreams and fears, hoping that with hard work and faith, something beautiful will grow in the garden of imaan-the small quiet place inside where belief unfolds, one petal at a time.

• ISBN-13: 9781561456987
• Publisher: Peachtree Publishers, Ltd.
• Publication date: 4/1/2013
• Pages: 192
• Age range: 8 - 10 Years
• Product dimensions: 6.00 (w) x 8.60 (h) x 1.00 (d)

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes&Noble

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Provided by Peachtree Publishers

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The Garden of my Imaan

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Ends April 26th, 2013

Winner announced on April 27th, 2013

About Author

Farhana Zia is an elementary school teacher who grew up in Hyderabad, India. Her stories blend humor and tradition, memories and contemporary moments. Her first picture book, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-Ji, received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in Massachusetts.

My Thoughts

Aliya, compared to her friends at Sunday School is the least to follow the Muslim customs.  She wears her hijab, a scarf to church but not to school.  She makes excuses for this but her friends see her as more American than them.  Her family's roots come from India and she feels they are less strict than others in the Muslim community.  

During Ramadan she does not plan to fast during the week and she even plans to attend a party which other girls at her church do not plan to attend because of Ramadan.  This here friends find surprising.  She asked he mother how they are to celebrate Thanksgiving since it falls at the same time as Ramadan.   

Aliya meditates and learns more about Ramadan and it's real meaning from writing a project for sunday school and from talking with her great grandmother.  What has she learned during this time of meditation and fasting?

The author give us a look into the culture and growth of a young girl as she approaches womanhood.  I feel as if it is similar to many cultures when young girls at this age are more interested in boys and other things than they are of family and church responsibilities and customs. 

I highly recommend this book. 

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from Peachtree Publishers for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


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