Marina Tamar BudhosCritiques

Adversity

Well written and complex novel about the intersection of race, class, gender, and ethnicity. Even though its set almost 50 years ago it has a lot of relatable middle school coming of age moments.

teen realistic fiction (Muslim teen caught up in anti-terrorist surveillance that focuses on Muslim communities in recent NYC).
This isn't really a suspense/thriller that you might expect from the cover--it's a pretty quiet story (since Muslim communities are just ordinary communities) with mostly inner dialogue/introspection and very little conflict/action at all except for the main character's moral dilemma that he faces towards the end. There are so very few American-published books to be found with Muslim characters, however, that this ended up on my radar.

An excellent look at the prejudice shown to POC in America. Also spotlights issues with police pressuring POC to spy on one another. Very "Big Brother" feeling!

I got this book as part of a box I received for attending a conference. Just by looking at the cover I thought this might be a sci-fi dystopian style book but really it is more about how Muslims are unfairly prejudiced against by American society- especially the police. The book was good but I found myself disappointed in the main character at times.

Excellent non-fiction written at a level appropriate for teens and adults. I am always interested in the way that art, music, and photography are used to sway public opinion on current events or political causes. I knew virtually nothing about Robert Capa or Gerda Taro, or about the Spanish Civil War prior to reading this book. The authors were careful to point out the political motivations of their subjects and the book contains extensive back matter to further explain the terms and political parties. I found it especially interesting to hear that some of the photographs have a controversial history. This non-fiction account of photo-journalists would make for a fascinating discussion if paired with a fictional account of photographers (perhaps Sweet Caress by William Boyd or The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli.

Good at times; a little too fanciful and magic-realistic at others. About a girl's relationship with her Guyanian philosopher-father.½

Really disappointed in this book. It's great to see the photographs, but it is written in an annoyingly childish manner.

This work of historical fiction addresses a busing plan in 1970s New York, to integrate a new school. What I thought important to take away from reading this, is that whenever officials plan "experiments"or policies, their actions affect actual people.

It's a perspective that is just as important to keep in mind today.

In this case, the story protagonists face a long daily bus ride to attend an unfamiliar school. And as mixed-race girls, the story's protagonists face an additional challenge of not knowing which of their races society expects them to be. Indeed, the story is set only a few short years after mixed-race marriages even became legal.

One of the girls receives backlash for dating "outside of" her race - and, in an afterword, the author shares that she faced a similar experience: "At the time, I was speechless, especially since my own race wasn't obvious to me."

(I found this ARC among books that were donated by a library vendor.)

EYES OF THE WORLD by Marc Aronson and Marina Budhos tells the true story of Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, and the invention of modern photojournalism.
This well-illustrated work of narrative nonfiction examines how Robert Capa and Gerda Taro become pioneers in the field of photojournalism during the Spanish Civil War. Each short chapter focuses on a specific idea or event and weaves in well-captioned photos to help tell the story. The book includes photographs along with maps and other primary source documents.
Librarians will find young adult readers enjoy the combination of narrative nonfiction and historical photos. Connect photojournalism to add a new dimension to the study of history and the study of war. Add this title to the library’s growing collection of books visually-rich narrative nonfiction biographies.
Published by Henry Holt & Company on March 28, 2017. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Nonfiction Notes from The Horn Book

Beautifully designed, clearly laid out and easy to read, full of images and useful material. A "Note to the Reader" at the beginning points to this back matter: a cast of characters, a breakdown of the political parties in Spain, an outline and a timeline. There is a map just after the Table of Contents, three appendices, an extensive list of sources, bibliography, image credits, web resources, and an index. I would have loved to have this book at the beginning of my thesis research back in 2006...

Quotes/notes

The goal of total revolution means no individual is as important as the final triumph of the people. (55)

What is truth in war? What obligation does a journalist or a photographer have to tell both sides? (69)

The Spanish Civil War is not just a local conflict; it is a "proxy" war with many shadow puppeteers....Spain is a staging ground for the future of Europe. (74)

"When the world community cannot act, global issues become personal choices." (p. 249, Appendix C, comparing the Spanish Civil War with the Syrian Civil War)

Watched
What do you do when you think you don’t have any choices? Naeem gets in trouble with the police for something his friend did. Now, they want him to spy on the people in his immigrant Queens, New York neighborhood. If he finds something suspicious, he will be rewarded with money and protection. Who can he trust? Who is watching him? This book is an inside look at the perilous lives of immigrant Americans. I will make this book available for the Midwest, rural teens in our library who may not know what it’s like for Muslims in this country.
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Audience: High School
Recommended: Yes

Naeem is a Bangladeshi Muslim teenager living in Queens. He's a slacker, close to failing in school and he hangs out with Ibrahim, an older teen who talks a big game but rarely follows through. After Naeem is caught with stolen shirts stuffed in his backpack, the cops offer him a deal: No charges if he will help them spy on the Muslim community. Naeem has mixed feelings: as a Muslim he knows how it feels to be the target of suspicion and derision and it would be a betrayal to spy on his own people. But they've got him by the short hairs so he agrees. The cash payments for his information are helpful but the cops are impatient for more substance. Naeem soon finds himself in the position of watching his friend Ibrahim. Readers will be enlightened by Naeem's dilemma and the challenges of the Muslim community in America. The descriptions of Queens' immigrant neighborhoods are spot on, from the nylon curtains in the windows to the wheeled plastic bags toted by women shoppers.

I listened to the audio version of this book and the Pakistani accent of the reader (Sunil Malhotra) added to the authenticity of the story.

Naeem is a teen-aged boy who was born in Pakistan and later joined his father and stepmother in Queens where his father owned a struggling neighborhood convenience store. Naeem is not doing well in school and has been hanging out with Ibrahim who gets him in trouble shoplifting. In order to stay out of the court system, Naeem agrees to do a little surveillance work on the mosques and computer chat rooms where whispers of possible terrorism activity might be heard. He is seduced by the money the agents offer him as a chance to help his family. Naeem has been acutely aware of cameras mounted on light poles in his neighborhood so this is just a natural extension of the way of things. However, when suspicion falls on Ibrahim he is torn. Could he be falling into the web of a terrorist group or are the agents just trying to set him up as one? Naeem is forced to explore his faith and having to mature really fast.

Naeem is a very likeable young man. He is quick to offer help to his family and his family's friends. He finally finds a teacher that he likes and that he is willing to do all she asks of him. I also like how he offers a suggestion to his father to help the store grow and become more important to the community - and that his father takes his advice.

This is a timely story forcing the reader to (perhaps) look through the other side of a story that many are living here and now.½

Naeem was 5 years old when his mother died and his father moved from Bangladesh to New York. He waited for his father to send for him, but it took another 6 years before he found himself on a plane to Queens, New York. There, he was reunited with his father and met his new little brother and stepmother.

He loved New York, spending years hanging out and roaming the streets instead of helping his parents in their little store. It’s now his senior year of high school and he expects to go to college, but is told he can’t graduate due to low grades. His future is staring at him bleakly until he gets arrested.

To avoid jail time he agreed to work undercover with cops, as they were sure terrorist attacks were being planned. They felt he could blend in and pick up information at mosques. Naeem thought by working with them he could prove Muslims were regular law-abiding citizens but, the deeper he got into play acting, the more he realized he enjoyed learning about his culture.

As time passed Naeem became more and more anxious. Who was he? Was he a traitor to his people, or was he helping them be seen in a better light? Would his work make the world a better place for his little brother, and for his parents, or would he incriminate innocent people?

“Watched” takes readers into the life of a Muslim family and into Muslim neighborhoods, describing an insider’s view of what it feels like to always be watched and judged by others. It will cause readers to think about their own prejudices and, perhaps, make them think twice before passing judgment on others.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2016/12/29/watched-marina-budhos/

The story of being a Bangladeshi undocumented immigrant after 9/11, told through the eyes of a 14-year-old girl. It's short and to the point, with mature and poetic prose. A good read.

Title: Watched

Author: Marina Boudos

Narrator: Kieran Culkin

Listening Library

Minutes Listened: 110 minutes (25%)
Vote - NO



Plot: Naeem came to America from Bangladesh at 11 years of age, post-9/11. There is a lot of paranoia in his immigrant community and when picked up for shoplifting he makes a deal to be a “watcher”.

Production: This book is slow moving. The story is good and it might hook some patient readers. While being well narrated it does not really have anything that makes it amazing.

Nadira and her family are illegal aliens from Bangladesh living in Queens, New York, whose lives have gone unnoticed by their host country. But in the wake of 9/11, certain groups of people are being scrutinized for deportation. Nadira's Abba flees with the family to seek asylum in Canada only to be denied and arrested in the U.S. Nadira and her older sister Aisha return to New York to live with their aunt and uncle. Frustration mounts as weeks go by with no progress in Abba's case. Nadira and Aisha decide to write to Homeland Security and their congressman to show why Abba should be set free. The situation takes its toll and the always-confident, outspoken Aisha begins to crumble. Nadira, steady and patient, discovers the spelling error in Abba's name on his detention papers. The error is key to freeing Abba and obtaining his residency. Although the solution is rather pat, this is as timely novel about immigration.

This book was okay, but very slow. Whilst I enjoyed following the struggles of an illegal migrant family, I never really connected with any of the characters. They all annoyed me in one way or another, until the end when both Nadira and her sister, Aisha, found the courage to stand up and speak the truth.

RGG: Amazing story told by a fifteen-year-old girl about her family's experience as illegal Muslim immigrants after 9/11.

Budhos, Marina Tamar. Ask Me No Questions. 2006. 162 pp. $16.95. Simon Pulse. 978-1-42876-064-6. Ages 11 - 14.
Fourteen-year-old Nadira and her family are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Along with typical problems, like struggling with grades and competing with her successful sister, Nadira and her family are increasingly fearful that they will be discovered and deported after the attacks of September 11th. They seek refuge in Canada, but are turned away, and Nadira’s father is arrested. Back home, Nadira and her sister must try to continue with their studies, even as they work to gather evidence of their father’s innocence. As her valedictorian sister grows more and more resigned, Nadira finally has a chance to show her family that she is capable of more than they think. A story of an immigrant experience that is not often told, Budhos’ novel does not minimize the pressures that the children of illegal immigrants in this country face, including discrimination, harassment, and poverty. A valuable book for both immigrants and to introduce American youth to this topic. Recommended.

"Tell Us We're Home" is a really fast paced and thoughtful novel. I love that its female characters are strong, diverse, and complex. The tension between familial culture and the suburban culture of Meadowbrook is also really strong. I love how Maria, Jaya, and Lola's experiences show the difficulties of living between two different culture. Important question arise: How much should I assimilate to suburban American culture? How does economics and class effect relationships?

*I also really liked how Budhos used italic texts to show the internal words that the girls didn't feel like they could say openly.

VOYA Based Ratings:
4Q
4P

My VOYA ratings: 5Q, 4P
Actual VOYA ratings: 4Q, 4P

Through the characters of Nadira and Aisha, author Marina Budhos brings to light an essential and oft-overlooked topic, that of illegal immigration. She does so by portraying a Muslim family in post-911 America. These are such important topics for young adults to read about, because they are so pertinent in today's society and because many young adults will not have had the opportunity to get to know undocumented immigrants or Muslim individuals. This book allows young readers an intimate glimpse inside the lives of people they might not otherwise get to know.

4Q, 3P. A heartbreaking story (with a hopeful ending) about an immigrant family who, despite their efforts to gain residency, are living as undocumented immigrants. I really enjoyed this story and believe it is an important one for teens to hear. It would also be a great book for classroom discussion. Immigration is a topic that is really relevant today and I think there are a lot of teens that can relate to Nadira and her family. This book really captures what is reality for many families in this country who do all they can to belong to this country and become documented, but are unable to with all the obstacles put in their way. The story ends a little more hopeful than I think it usually does in real life. However, I'd recommend this book to all teens, but do think it would require a bit of pushing. I really enjoyed the Bengali words scattered throughout and appreciated the note at the end.