  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 06/01/2017 K-Gr 3—A lovely and lush celebration of intersectionality and identity. In this lyrical letter, a father shares with his young daughter the different questions she will encounter as she grows up as a Muslim and a Latina—some positive and some negative. But, he tells her, "No matter what they say, know you are wondrous." Her father highlights the aspects of her multicultural heritage and roots that she should be proud of. As the pair fly across the night sky, they see angels and hummingbirds, majestic skyscrapers and mosques, and the fields of the girl's ancestors. In times of tribulation, the father advises his daughter, "Say it with me: Yo soy Muslim. Our prayers were here before any borders were." The connection between the girl and her parents is apparent, and the warmth reverberates off the page. Gonzales's inspirational text is matched perfectly by Amini's vibrant, jewel-toned illustrations. The images are rendered digitally but have a patchwork, mixed-media feel, adding to the dreamlike quality of the artwork. Muslims of different racial and ethnic identities are pictured throughout in prayer, emphasizing the diversity of the community. This exaltation of identity will resonate with fans of Patti Kim's Here I Am and Hena Khan's Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns. It would also fit nicely in Father's Day displays and as a world religions curricular tie-in. VERDICT A strong choice for all picture book collections.—Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 07/01/2017 *Starred Review* Framed as a letter from a father to his daughter, this joyful, reverent book invites readers into a sacred space. A young girl climbs trees to counts stars, gazes up at a skyscraper, and flies through the moonlit night, all the while her father, in the exquisite poetic text, reminds her that life is as filled with beauty as it is with questions: “Who invented my hands? Why wasn’t I born with wings?” There are also the more concrete questions that others will ask: “Who are you? Where are you from?” And then, as suspicious eyes gaze, comes the honest gut punch: “And there will come a day when some people in the world will not smile at you.” In a scene of serenity, the child receives quiet but also profound advice: “Tell them this. / Yo soy Muslim. / I am from Allah, angels / and a place almost as old as time. / I speak Spanish, Arabic / and dreams.” This startling introduction to faith captures the inclusiveness of Islam as do the following spreads showing children of different races and colors juxtaposed against scenes of nature and art. Using collage-style techniques and featuring bold characters, Amini’s joyful, boisterous art soars, and readers may well feel they’re flying, too. A special book that truly seems to “dance with the wind” and “smile at the sun.” - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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