Awards

• Winner of Frances Lincoln Diversity Voice Children's Book Award 2015

Overview

Karen thinks she's not proper white. Her dad is Pakistani and her mother is white Christian, and somehow she feels as if she doesn't quite fit in...anywhere. So she's made a choice: she's switching sides. Karen's going to convert to Islam to find her true identity. But Shamshad, her Hijab-wearing school mate, isn't making things easy for her. What's her deal, anyway? Is Shamshad really any more proper? Trouble and turmoil await, as school battles are replaced by family troubles, name calling turns to physical confrontation and cataclysmic secrets are unveiled. You're Not Proper shines a light on issues of identity, religion, politics and class affecting young people today - a unique series in young adult fiction.

Full Product Details

9781908446688

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Reviews

'A real insight into communities more often talked about than listened to. But it's not just an important book - it's full of heart and a cracking good read as well. Highly recommended!' (Melvin Burgess). 'Contemporary and hard-hitting ... High on impact and highly engaging, it truly is a story of our age.' (Jake Hope). Mehmood gives us a sterotype-quashing, timely novel about religion, gender, and families. He is as astute about class difference and social injustice as he is about the growing Islamophobic. You're Not Proper sounds a resonant, authentic note that cuts through the monotone voices coming out of YA writing. (Claire Chambers, Huffington Post). An excellent book! Mehmood does an excellent job of describing what every day life is like in Manchester for Kiran, which will be fascinating for US readers. This read quite a lot like a Jacqueline Wilson book with Pakistani characters. I gave this to one of my students, who recently took to wearing a hijab, and her eyes lit up when she saw the title. 'That's exactly what MY family said!' (Ms Yingling Reads, Teacher / Librarian/Blogger, USA).

"'A real insight into communities more often talked about than listened to. But it's not just an important book - it's full of heart and a cracking good read as well. Highly recommended!' (Melvin Burgess). 'Contemporary and hard-hitting ... High on impact and highly engaging, it truly is a story of our age.' (Jake Hope). ""Mehmood gives us a sterotype-quashing, timely novel about religion, gender, and families. He is as astute about class difference and social injustice as he is about the growing Islamophobic. You're Not Proper sounds a resonant, authentic note that cuts through the monotone voices coming out of YA writing."" (Claire Chambers, Huffington Post). ""An excellent book! Mehmood does an excellent job of describing what every day life is like in Manchester for Kiran, which will be fascinating for US readers. This read quite a lot like a Jacqueline Wilson book with Pakistani characters. I gave this to one of my students, who recently took to wearing a hijab, and her eyes lit up when she saw the title. 'That's exactly what MY family said!' (Ms Yingling Reads, Teacher / Librarian/Blogger, USA)."

Author Information

Tariq Mehmood is an award winning writer and film-maker. His other books include Hand On the Sun, While There Is Light. He co-directed the award-winning documentary Injustice. He currently teaches at the American University of Beirut, in Lebanon and lives in Beirut and UK.

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