Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero, Saadia Faruqi
Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero, Saadia Faruqi
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Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

Author: Saadia Faruqi

Narrator: Vikas Adam

Unabridged: 8 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/07/2021


Synopsis

At a time when we are all asking questions
about identity, grief, and how to stand up for what is right, this book by the
author of A Thousand Questions will hit home with young readers who love
Hena Khan and Varian Johnson—or anyone struggling to understand recent U.S.
history and how it still affects us today.  
Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey,
Texas—and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the
regional robotics competition, which he just knows he can win.
Only, this year is going to be more difficult than he thought.
Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, an
anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.
With “Never Forget” banners everywhere and a hostile group of
townspeople protesting the new mosque, Yusuf realizes that the country’s anger
from two decades ago hasn’t gone away. Can he hold onto his joy—and his
friendships—in the face of heartache and prejudice?

About Saadia Faruqi

Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American writer, interfaith activist, and cultural-sensitivity trainer. She is the author of the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Saving Sunshine, the popular early-reader series Yasmin, and the middle grade novels A Thousand Questions, Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero, and The Partition Project and the coauthor of the middle grade novel A Place at the Table as well as The Wonders We Seek: Thirty Incredible Muslims Who Helped Shape the World. She was profiled in O magazine as a woman making a difference in her community and serves as editor in chief of Blue Minaret, a magazine for Muslim art, poetry, and prose. She resides in Houston, Texas, with her family.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Rachel on November 13, 2021

A really important story I think many children and parents need to read. I liked it but didn't love, hence 3 stars.......more

Goodreads review by Afoma (Reading Middle Grade) on September 17, 2021

Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero is a poignant look at the impact of 9/11 on Muslim communities in America. This book encourages self-examination and delves into ways to deal with prejudice around us. Alternating between past (2001) and present (2021), with mentions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this realistic......more

Goodreads review by Peacegal on April 11, 2024

This well-written and engaging middle-grade novel is a gem on the shelves. Set in a small town in Texas, HERO is the story of a bright 12-year-old kid who adores science and robotics, his Muslim-American family, and the community's response--both positive and negative--when a hate group forms among......more

Goodreads review by SamSamSam on March 07, 2022

I had so many thoughts about this book. First, I'll say I'm grateful to the author for bringing more attention to this always timely issue in our country. This story is important. However, pretty much everything else I have to say is not good. Spoilers ahead. For one, I don't think that this author......more