Amina's Song (Amina #2)

In this sequel to Amina's Voice, Khan returns to the world of Pakistani American teenager Amina Khokar, whose monthlong trip to Lahore is coming to an end as the book opens. Upon her return to Wisconsin, Amina begins seventh grade smoothly, without the friendship conflicts that plagued her the previous year. To her disappointment, however, her classmates appear uninterested in hearing more about her trip and the people and vibrant places she's come to love, even while feeling excluded from aspects of Pakistani culture. Her decision to dress up as Malala Yousafzai for a school project provokes negative commentary on Pakistan, even though "girls suffer from injustice everywhere in the world." Meanwhile, the presence of Nico, a new French Egyptian classmate, sees Amina navigating the viability of platonic male-female friendships, as he partners with Amina to complete a songwriting project. With his help, she aims to showcase her love of Pakistan and challenge her American classmates' assumptions. Though the prose style can feel somewhat simplistic at times, Amina remains engag- ing throughout, with her close familial relationships and self-proclaimed "identity crisis" as part of both cultures enabling frank discussions, and well-rounded supporting characters lending layers to the narrative. Ages 8-12. Agent: Matthew Elblonk, DeFiore & Co. (Mar.)

Gr 4-7--Amina loved the month of summer she spent visiting family in Pakistan, though there were moments she didn't feel quite Pakistani enough and struggled with having to go home, not knowing when she would see her family again. She's also trying to figure out how her experiences have changed her view of herself and the world. Her Thaya Jaan (beloved uncle) has challenged her to show her friends back home the beauty of Pakistan. The protagonist is nervous about how her classmates perceive Pakistan and wants them to understand that it's not as dangerous as they believe it to be. After befriending a new student, Nico, who shares her love of music and a talent for mixing it, Amina finds the opportunity to present the many facets of her heritage through song. A lovely sequel that does not require familiarity with the first book, this is an uplifting story about relationships, especially those that strengthen us and help us grow. Readers really get to know and understand Amina's perspective, but secondary characters are also fleshed out, making the narrative relatable and engaging. VERDICT A beautiful story for middle graders discovering who they are. A wonderful addition to all collections.--Kristyn Dorfman, The Nightingale-Bamford Sch., New York City