I have not read a lot of Huda Fahmy’s works, but what I do know is that they are an important voice in today’s literary world. Not because she is a woman or because she is Muslim, but because she is someone who is writing about experiences we all face.
I picked up Huda F Are You? (by the way, her mother hates the title) because I found an autographed copy. And while I thought Fahmy would focus more on her religious relationship, the story is one that is relatable to anyone. We all have had one or more of the issues Huda deals with: parents, siblings, issues with teachers not getting our name right, issues with teachers who take a dislike to us (hers is more serious as her teacher does not like her because she is Muslim, but I knew a teacher who disliked a friend of mine who had an older brother who was “difficult” and therefore she became “guilty by association”), school in general (classes, homework) and trying to find our place in all of that (finding friends, not standing out even though you wear traditional Muslim clothing). However, the addition of Huda’s religion, while very important, is not her main issue, but still is one that will define her.
We follow Huda, a freshman girl who is not the author, but based on much of her own experiences and explorations, within the pages of this illustrated story. Their minimalistic approach to the illustrations allows you to focus on the story. The cover gives you much of what you will find inside when it comes to style and color. Yet, nothing is lacking or missing, so it all comes together nicely. The journey that I would like to follow more is how Fahmy embraces her Muslim identity and how she grows from being somewhat sheltered from the world to being in the middle of it, yet, everything about the story is good and made me keep reading.
This book is a 4.5 as I wanted more of this story. And while serious issues are presented, Fahmy’s humor and love of her subjects gives us a cozy, hopeful, love letter.