Gardening Sale!
 
 

Special Offers see all

Enter to WIN!

Weekly drawing for $100 credit. Subscribe to our Specials newsletter for a chance to win.
Privacy Policy

More at Powell's

Recently Viewed clear list

Interviews | May 16, 2013

Jill Owens: IMG Claire Messud: The Powells.com Interview

0 comments By Jill Owens

Claire MessudClaire Messud's new novel, The Woman Upstairs, is fiercely intelligent and urgently intimate, written with precision, humor, and an incredible... Continue »
  1. $18.17 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    The Woman Upstairs

    Claire Messud 9780307596901
spacer
Ships free on qualified orders.
$16.99
New Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Available for In-store Pickup
in 7 to 12 days
Qty Store Section
4 Remote Warehouse Children's- General
18 Remote Warehouse Children's Young Adult- Social Issue Fiction

Does My Head Look Big in This?

by

Does My Head Look Big in This? Cover

ISBN13: 9780439919470
ISBN10: 0439919479
All Product Details

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Sixteen-year-old Amal makes the decision to start wearing the hijab full- time and everyone has a reaction. Her parents, her teachers, her friends, people on the street. But she stands by her decision to embrace her faith and all that it is, even if it does make her a little different from everyone else.

Can she handle the taunts of "nappy head," the prejudice of her classmates, and still attract the cutest boy in school? Brilliantly funny and poignant, Randa Abdel-Fattah's debut novel will strike a chord in all teenage readers, no matter what their beliefs.

Review:

"With an engaging narrator at the helm, Abdel-Fattah's debut novel should open the eyes of many a reader. Headstrong and witty, 16-year-old Amal, an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian ('That means I was born an Aussie and whacked with some seriously confusing identity hyphens') decides during winter break from her posh private school that she's ready to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, fulltime, as a testament to her faith. Amal knows she will face discrimination by classmates and misinformed people but she is committed to her decision; her parents are initially concerned, but ultimately rally behind her. Their worries, in fact, are well-founded: Amal attracts her share of stares and taunts both at school and around town, but she finds strength, not only from her convictions, but from her close-knit group of friends, who for various reasons-being Japanese, Jewish, nerdy or body-conscious-are perceived as being outside 'the norm.' As Amal struggles with her identity in a post-9/11 world ('Do you have any idea how it feels to be me, a Muslim, today? I mean, just turn on the television, open a newspaper.... It feels like I'm drowning in it all'), her faith-and an array of ever-ready quips-help her navigate an often-unforgiving world. Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason. Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"'With an engaging narrator at the helm, Abdel-Fattah's debut novel should open the eyes of many a reader. Headstrong and witty, 16-year-old Amal, an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian ('That means I was born an Aussie and whacked with some seriously confusing identity hyphens') decides during winter break from her posh private school that she's ready to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, fulltime, as a testament to her faith. Amal knows she will face discrimination by classmates and misinformed people but she is committed to her decision; her parents are initially concerned, but ultimately rally behind her. Their worries, in fact, are well-founded: Amal attracts her share of stares and taunts both at school and around town, but she finds strength, not only from her convictions, but from her close-knit group of friends, who for various reasons — being Japanese, Jewish, nerdy or body-conscious — are perceived as being outside 'the norm.' As Amal struggles with her identity in a post-9/11 world ('Do you have any idea how it feels to be me, a Muslim, today? I mean, just turn on the television, open a newspaper.... It feels like I'm drowning in it all'), her faith — and an array of ever-ready quips — help her navigate an often-unforgiving world. Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason. Ages 12-up.' Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Fun and just what we need in the way of diversity." KLIATT

Review:

"Though the lengthy analyses on everything from female body image to Palestinian food give the book more message than momentum, the girls' thoughts and dreams are authentically adolescent, providing a bridge between cultures." Horn Book Magazine

Review:

"While the novel deals with a number of serious issues, it is extremely funny and entertaining, and never preachy or forced." School Library Journal

Review:

"Abdel-Fattah's fine first novel offers a world of insight to post-9/11 readers." Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
back to top

About the Author

Randa Abdel-Fattah is an attorney, a writer, a chocoholic, and an active member in the interfaith community, as well as the campaign for Palestinian human rights. She is the author of the critically acclaimed novels DOES MY HEAD LOOK BIG IN THIS? and TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT ME, both published by Orchard Books. She is also the author of the forthcoming middle-grade novel, WHERE THE STREETS HAD A NAME, published by Scholastic Press. Ms. Abdel-Fattah lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband and their children.
back to top

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
AE., January 18, 2009 (view all comments by AE.)
THIS BOOK IS OFFICIALLY MY FAVOURITE NOW! I AM A MUSLIM 15 YEAR OLD VIELED GIRL.I REALIZED I WAS REALLY WEARING THE HIJAB TO BE DIFFEREDNT(I AM OBSSESD BY BEING SPECIAL), BUT UNTILL I READ THIS BOOK I LEARNT THAT I CAN WEAR TO BE DIFFERENT AND TO HAVE A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH MY GOD. THAT IS WHAT WILL REALLY MAKE ME TREASURELY SPECIAL.
I THANK RANDA FOR WRITTING THIS BOOK TO CONVINCE THE NON-VEILED MUSLIMS OR NON-MUSLIMS THAT WE ARE NOT WEIRD AND WE CAN DO IT. AND FOR WAKING THE VEILD MUSLIMS UP AND TELLING THEM YOU ARE UNIQUE FOR BEING WHAT YOU ARE. DON'T YOU EVER REGRET FOR ONCE THAT YOU WORE A SCARF!!*
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(3 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
leylaladane, August 14, 2008 (view all comments by leylaladane)
Hi sweet you are luke girl becuase same your age or biger they are diffel cold or understanig very haerd to take by deciders end I believe you are like girl
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(2 of 11 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
saniya, February 21, 2007 (view all comments by saniya)
i really enjoyed this book! i wear the Hijab myself and i thought it really showed how young muslims are nowadays and how they have to put up with insults! it also shows how they are strong in their religion and don't really care about what people say! it's a great story and i would recommend it to 14 yrs and up!

saniya-xx :D
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(6 of 8 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
View all 3 comments
back to top

Product Details

ISBN:
9780439919470
Author:
Abdel-Fattah, Randa
Publisher:
Orchard Books (NY)
Subject:
Schools
Subject:
School & Education
Subject:
High schools
Subject:
People & Places - General
Subject:
People & Places - Middle East
Subject:
Social Issues - Prejudice & Racism
Subject:
Clothing and dress
Subject:
Children s Young Adult-Social Issue Fiction-Prejudice and Racism
Subject:
Children s Young Adult-Social Issue Fiction
Edition Description:
Hardcover
Publication Date:
20070531
Binding:
HARDCOVER
Grade Level:
from 7
Language:
English
Pages:
368
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.5 in
Age Level:
from 12
back to top

Other books you might like

  1. The Off Season Used Hardcover $2.50
  2. Spud Used Trade Paper $4.50
  3. The Plain Janes Used Trade Paper $5.95
  4. Lily's Crossing (Yearling Newbery)
    Used Trade Paper $3.50
  5. One Whole and Perfect Day Used Hardcover $5.95
  6. A Coal Miner's Bride: The Diary of...
    Used Hardcover $5.95
back to top

Related Subjects

Children's » General
Young Adult » Fiction » Social Issues » Prejudice and Racism
Young Adult » General

Does My Head Look Big in This? New Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$16.99 In Stock
Product details 368 pages Orchard Books (NY) - English 9780439919470 Reviews:
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "With an engaging narrator at the helm, Abdel-Fattah's debut novel should open the eyes of many a reader. Headstrong and witty, 16-year-old Amal, an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian ('That means I was born an Aussie and whacked with some seriously confusing identity hyphens') decides during winter break from her posh private school that she's ready to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, fulltime, as a testament to her faith. Amal knows she will face discrimination by classmates and misinformed people but she is committed to her decision; her parents are initially concerned, but ultimately rally behind her. Their worries, in fact, are well-founded: Amal attracts her share of stares and taunts both at school and around town, but she finds strength, not only from her convictions, but from her close-knit group of friends, who for various reasons-being Japanese, Jewish, nerdy or body-conscious-are perceived as being outside 'the norm.' As Amal struggles with her identity in a post-9/11 world ('Do you have any idea how it feels to be me, a Muslim, today? I mean, just turn on the television, open a newspaper.... It feels like I'm drowning in it all'), her faith-and an array of ever-ready quips-help her navigate an often-unforgiving world. Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason. Ages 12-up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "'With an engaging narrator at the helm, Abdel-Fattah's debut novel should open the eyes of many a reader. Headstrong and witty, 16-year-old Amal, an Australian-Muslim-Palestinian ('That means I was born an Aussie and whacked with some seriously confusing identity hyphens') decides during winter break from her posh private school that she's ready to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, fulltime, as a testament to her faith. Amal knows she will face discrimination by classmates and misinformed people but she is committed to her decision; her parents are initially concerned, but ultimately rally behind her. Their worries, in fact, are well-founded: Amal attracts her share of stares and taunts both at school and around town, but she finds strength, not only from her convictions, but from her close-knit group of friends, who for various reasons — being Japanese, Jewish, nerdy or body-conscious — are perceived as being outside 'the norm.' As Amal struggles with her identity in a post-9/11 world ('Do you have any idea how it feels to be me, a Muslim, today? I mean, just turn on the television, open a newspaper.... It feels like I'm drowning in it all'), her faith — and an array of ever-ready quips — help her navigate an often-unforgiving world. Using a winning mix of humor and sensitivity, Abdel-Fattah ably demonstrates that her heroine is, at heart, a teen like any other. This debut should speak to anyone who has felt like an outsider for any reason. Ages 12-up.' Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)
"Review" by , "Fun and just what we need in the way of diversity."
"Review" by , "Though the lengthy analyses on everything from female body image to Palestinian food give the book more message than momentum, the girls' thoughts and dreams are authentically adolescent, providing a bridge between cultures."
"Review" by , "While the novel deals with a number of serious issues, it is extremely funny and entertaining, and never preachy or forced."
"Review" by , "Abdel-Fattah's fine first novel offers a world of insight to post-9/11 readers."
spacer
spacer
  • back to top
Follow us on...




Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.