Hijabi girl by Hazel Edwards and Ozge Alkan
Ill. by Serena Geddes. Bookpod, 2016. ISBN 9780994358356
(Age: 7-9) Recommended. Children's librarian Ozge Alkan collaborated
with Hazel Edwards to write a junior novel with the main character,
a spirited eight-year-old Muslim girl. Melek's dream is to have her
own Aussie Rules football team and of course to be the best player
in the world. When she helps new student Tien on her first day of
school, Melek remembers how difficult it was for her, especially all
the jokes about her hijab. Was it a towel, did she have cancer or
was she bald under the scarf?
Their classroom is a wonderful learning environment 'a doing kind of
place', with science project models, a Rainbow Reading Chair and
colourful encouraging posters. Of course, there is one student at
Melek and her friend Lily's table who loves to cause problems. While
Miss is writing an A-Z of positive characteristics on the board,
Zac's pet rat escapes from his bag, but Rattus Rattus is soon
captured and returned to his bag. After Tien's introduction to her
new class, she is seated at the blue table with Melek, Lily and Zac.
Her special skill is drawing, sketching and blending colours from
her large collection of coloured pencils.
At the end of the day, their teacher announces the Book Parade
scheduled for Friday and all her students are to dress up; they may
even win the Best Dressed Class Award. Together Melek and Tien plan
to write and illustrate a new book - 'Super hijabi girl plays Aussie
Rules Football'. Melek's mother is a tailor who makes super hijabi
scarves, which have many uses as butterfly wings, flags or capes.
The authors have written an easy to read junior novel that explores
friendships, the respect of cultural differences and religions,
creative problem solving and the importance of having goals in life.
Discussion
notes and activities are available. Hijabi girl is a
fabulous resource for classes to learn about social inclusion,
celebrate diversity and to explore our multicultural society.
Rhyllis Bignell