Customer Reviews

The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of the great things about this book is that, although it targets the American Muslim teenage audience, it is enlightening and informative for anyone. As a teacher, mother and Episcopalian, I found this book informative on so many levels. It educated me on quite a few details of Islamic trditions and history that I'm embarrassed to admit I never understood. It also approaches conformity to the religion with an open, accepting and forgiving tone that is bound to appeal to any Muslim teenager trying to figure out how to harmonize his/her faith with the demands of American teenage culture. This open-eyed, practical and modern analysis is filled with realistic and funny wit, providing an easy way for anyone out there to understand moreabout a religion that, in this post 9/11 world, has been so stereopyped and feared. To borrow a descriptive used by the authors themselves, it is "deliciously different!"

In my opinion this handbook is an even a more important read for the non-Muslim teenager as it will finally give some answers, guidance and clarity to the mysteries and misconceptions Christian and Jewish American teenagers often have about this religion. It is a book any teenager will reach for in the bookstore: because it has been written by teenagers, has an attractive paper back cover, carries clear concise and often witty language, with a colorful layout, fun pictures and quizzes, and it is not too long... something teenagers will appreciate in their often to-fit-it-all-in lives!! I hope this book will become available in every library and at every middle and high school in the USA. As a non American but living in USA, I also urge the writers to eventually edit this book in order to make it suitable for a world wide teenage audience... there will certainly be a need for it.

This book takes a lively look at some of the questions that Muslim teens in America need answers to. The style of writing and the layout is engaging and accommodates readers afflicted or blessed with short attention span.

While the book is sprinkled with frequent quotations from the Quran, clearly it is not meant to be an in-depth treatise on Islam, either in the personal sphere or as an adequate source of history and facts with which the reader can maintain serious discussion with non-Muslims, or even with other Muslims. To its credit, the book encourages its young readers to learn more about their religion, but it doesn't guide them or warn them of things that they will discover.

Considering the large number of subjects covered, it is inevitable that this slender book leaves the reader short here and there. On the question for example of whether Muslim girls should wear hijab, one who does, says, "My religion tells me to - I have to wear one if I'm a Muslim.", and one who doesn't, says, "I don't feel that my religion requires it." While earlier in the book it is stated that most of the Quran is clear in meaning, and at the beginning of this section appears a quote (33:59) that suggests that women should "draw their wraps a little over them", the question is by no means cleared up. The naive Muslim girl is not prepared to defend herself in conversation with other Muslims, such as her parents, who may claim to know the correct answer, and can force the issue.

On larger issues - political aspects of Islam - page 90 shows a street rally poster reading "ISLAM MEANS PEACE". If a Muslim teen reader goes no further, he will not be prepared to hold his own in a discussion where someone informs him that "Islam" means "submission". And that someone could be a Muslim - say, a Jihadic recruiter - as well as non-Muslim. When confronted by the kinds of posters that sometimes appear in pro-Muslim rallies, such as "BEHEAD THOSE WHO MOCK ISLAM" or "ISLAM WILL DOMINATE", the teen will be helpless - not only uninformed, but misinformed, and he may realize that this book has let him down.

In summary, this book is about preparing Muslim teens to be able to make their way in America, to assimilate, and yet to retain their Islamic identity. It accomplishes parts of the task nicely, but sometimes it falls short of protecting its young readers and warning them of the dangers and complexities that they will face, from other Muslims in America as well as non-Muslims. Put aside all of the personal questions about dating - hamburgers (hold the bacon!), clothing, making friends, etc.; the essence of being an American involves the freedom to educate oneself, to question everything - including and especially authority - to speak, write, criticize freely and in safety, to pursue happiness and to choose representatives to express ones' political inclinations.

I rate this book 3 stars to balance its high intentions and accomplishments with its limitations and consequent dangers.

Here it is. An outstanding book that will prove easy to read and well well worth the read. I've tried several books which try to help shed light on Muslims. This is the one I kept on reading and the only one I've purchased multiple copies to give to family and associates.
Hope this delightful trio will write more. Buy this one. You'll be very pleased with it light tone and excellent overview.

I recommend this book for all libraries and classrooms...both for libraries in Muslim communities, and for neighborhoods where Muslims are people "seen on the news." The writing is fresh and fun, and shows Muslims are as diverse as all other groups of people. It's also a great starting point for discussions, and it would make an excellent partner for a novel like Does My Head Look Big in This? in a book group or class discussion.
This is NOT one of those boring, prescriptive books that never get checked out. The authors are young, intelligent and writing about what they know. Recommended!

This book is both frank and funny, spirited and spiritual. It is a handbook not only for American Muslim teenagers but American teenagers of all religious persuasions who would like to know a little more about Islam in the United States. The advice offered is wise and useful.

Like all religions, Islam is complex. The handbook is not and does not pretend to be an Encyclopedia of Islam. It is not, nor does it pretend to be *the* voice of Islam. But it is a voice of Islam in America, and a cheerful and very readable voice at that. I'm not a teenager by any means. But I'm very glad I read it. And if I had a teenager who wanted to know more about Islam, "The American Muslim Teenager's Handbook" is the book I would recommend.

This is an excellent book, walking a difficult line -- which reflects the vast spectrum of cultures and beliefs labeled as 'Islam'.

Doubtless, some conservative Muslims will find it too liberal, whilst Islam-bashers will berate anything which portrays Muslims as human and not intent on anti-Western global terrorism.

But this book serves its purpose well. It is entertaining, informative, reassuring and light enough to be widely read. It also has a relevance far beyond 'Muslim' and 'American'. Anyone Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Mormon etc, could find something of merit here, with respect to growing up in a secular or very liberal environment in the Western world. Not everyone wants to live like in 'Gossip Girl' or '90210'.

I wish that I had had such a book when I was a teenager!

I highly recommend this Handbook for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Not only does it address historical, religious, and cultural issues, but it does so in readily accessible prose and format. The authors shared insight into important tenets of their faith in a personal, conversational, witty style certain to appeal to younger readers--while not alienating those long out of their teens.

The text would constitute an outstanding addition to school and local libraries throughout the U.S. and beyond!

This extremely accessible book is an easy introduction to Islam for those
who do not follow or are unfamiliar with the basic tenets of the religion. It also provides a much-needed divergent viewpoint about American Muslims from that provided by the mainstream media, often in attempts to heighten public anxiety and, unfortunately, leading to increased xenophobia.

American Muslims are, first and foremost, Americans. No one should differentiate between American Buddhists, American Catholics, American Jews, etc. Unfortunately, our society has tended to ostracize the general Islamic population in this country, primarily due to ignorance. This fine addition to any library's or bookstore's religion section fills a once-empty niche, allowing students of all ages to learn about the world's fastest-growing religion, also amongst the most peaceful, which many do not realize due to fundamentalist elements worldwide that stress their own skewed versions of what true Islam espouses.

The authors are dynamic speakers, well-versed in their faith, beliefs, and research concerning viewpoints from Muslim teens nationwide. If the
opportunity ever arises for them to speak to your organization, as it did
for the one at my school, you will be the recipient of three extremely
intelligent, open-minded and well-informed speakers.

I recommend this book to anyone, anywhere, of any religion, who wishes to understand more about the basics of Islam, the continued importance of fighting ethnocentricity within our society, and the challenges which American Muslim teens, as well as non-Muslim teens, face on a daily basis in a continuously changing political and global atmosphere.

It was a delight reading this marvelous book. To begin with, the colorful layout is so eye-catching. The message in each Chapter is concise and comes across effectively. The writing style and the intermittent touch of humour are just the things needed to sustain the interest of young readers. The authors have done a superb job in handling the subject-mattert. Given the difficult post-9/11 environment for young Muslims growing up in Western societies, one cannot exaggerate the necessity and usefulness of this Handbook. It can also serve as an eye-opener for their non-Muslim school-mates and College friends and help in promoting mutual understanding and goodwill.