Hijab and Basketball is the story of Amina, a young girl who is moving
to a new school and is anxious about how her people will perceive her
hijab. On arriving Amina makes friends
and joins the basketball team, but she also finds she is teased about her
headscarf. Finding courage in the story
of Nusaybah bint Ka’ab, who walked into battle in the early days of Islam,
Amina faces challenges when she is given the opportunity to play in a basketball
tournament because of her head scarf.
My daughter previously read Jannah Jewels by the same author and
enjoyed it, so I was keen to take a look at this book. The book addressed what felt like common and
realistic complaints from a young woman: her anxieties about starting at a new
school, making new friends and having to explain the hijab to other students.
I liked that the main character was positive and strong – she is clear
on why she wears the hijab and can explain to others, she is athletic, being good
at basketball and she is able to stand up for herself when bullied, including
when the bullies make fun of her ablutions and prayers.
The book also touches on the complexity of bullying amongst girls – the
way friends behave differently in front of bullies or the way that bullies
might have their own difficulties or sadness to contend with.
The book is also considerate of other faiths. One of Amina’s friends is a Christian and
they compare some of the beliefs they have.
Amina’s sympathetic and kind basketball coach is a Sikh. I am all for teaching our children to respect
other faiths and to be considerate of other people’s ways of thinking.
My 9 year old daughter enjoyed reading this book and I liked how she
reacted at the prejudice Amina faces during the basketball tournament – with indignation. Surprisingly, my boys (7 and 5) also liked
the book and my older son also commented on the unfairness of what happens
during the tournament.
The book does not end with a clear-cut happy ending, but it certainly
leaves its young reader in a place where they will have questions about what
happens. A well written, easy to read
book, with good role models in the shape of Amina, her coach and her mother
amongst others which should give children plenty to think about.
