Amal is a 16-year-old Melbourne teen with all the usual obsessions about boys, chocolate and Cosmo magazine. She's also a Muslim, struggling to honour the Islamic faith in a society that doesn't understand it. The story of her decision to "shawl up" and its attendent anxieties (like how much eyeliner to wear) is funny, surprising and touching.



School is tough enough without throwing a hijab into the mix... Amal is a 16-year-old Melbourne teen with all the usual obsessions about boys, exams, chocolate and magazines. She's also a Muslim, struggling to honour the Islamic faith in a society that doesn't understand it. The story of her decision to "shawl up" and its attendant anxieties (like how much eyeliner to wear) is funny, surprising and touching by turns. Exploring issues of faith and identity with the lightest of touches, this is a joyful exploration of what it means to be a Muslim teenager "...a bright, articulate heroine true to herself and her faith. Abdel-Fattah’s fine first novel offers a world of insight..." Kirkus Reviews Look out for Randa Abdel-Fattah's other books: Ten Things I Hate About Me and Where the Streets had a name