Coming of age: Growing up Muslim in Australia ed. by Amra Pajalic and Demet Divaroren

Allen & Unwin Children's Books, 2014. ISBN 9781743312926.
Highly recommended for 11+ readers. Here we have contributions of 12 very successful Australians that just happen to come from a Muslim background. Their stories relating the discovery of who they are and how they fit into the world are as different as the individuals themselves. When all young people move into adulthood, there are many questions to answer and many insecurities to recognize and deal with. However, when you are also trying to maintain a balance between two widely different cultures the confusion intensifies.
The personal recounts of these years of turmoil remind us all that each individual, regardless of culture, needs to look to the past to be able to move into the future. Young Muslims and non Muslims alike will identify with the emotions experienced by these 12 teens finding their own pathways in life. Their stories deal with issues of religious beliefs, morality, honour, family expectations, courage and stereotype. As with many religions, there exist many interpretations followed by different sections of the community. This book helps Muslims and non Muslims to understand and appreciate the diversity within the world of Islam.
Lynne Poole