More Than a Label: Why What You Wear or Who You're with Doesn't Define Who You Are [Paperback]

Aisha Muharrar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

Preppie. Techie. Geek. Freak. Goth. Jock. These are just a few of the labels teens endure every day. Labels limit. They stereotype. And, often, they hurt.

In her first book, 17-year-old author Aisha Muharrar tackles a tough topic—one every teen can relate to. Drawing on her own experiences and insights, she also incorporates first-person stories from teens across America. More than 1,000 teens ages 13-17 responded to her survey about labels and labeling. They live in big cities, small towns, suburbs, and rural areas, and they have a lot to say—about how they're labeled and how it feels, whether they label their peers, where labels come from, and more.

Aisha shows that labels aren't as simple as they may seem. For example, if you play sports, get good grades, skateboard, and like to wear all black, are you a nerdy jock-skater who's into goth, or a skater goth-jock who's a bit of a nerd? Are labels always a sign of scorn or sometimes a source of pride? She goes beyond labels to consider related issues—including cliques, peer pressure, popularity, racism, sexism, and homophobia.

MORE THAN A LABEL brings the subject of labeling to a new level of awareness and understanding. It empowers students to stand up for themselves, understand others, and consider the power of words. For teachers, parents, and other caring adults, it's an enlightening journey into the world teens live in every day.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-Based on a survey that the teenaged author created and sent out across America while she was a member of Teen People's News Team, this book examines the role of labels and cliques in teen lives. Her survey is included. Muharrar defines labels in general, discusses how they develop, and talks about the most common categories into which teens lump themselves and others, e.g., geek, indie, goth, and numerous racial slurs. There are lots of good suggestions for dealing with the names one is called and how to break the habit of labeling. Well planned and well executed, the text allows readers to really "hear" other teens weigh in on the subject. Self-evaluation tools are scattered throughout. Muharrar has created a compelling book for young people searching for meaning in a label-driven society. Readers will find both acceptance and guidance in her thought-provoking offering.
Elaine Baran Black, Gwinnett County Public Library, Lawrenceville, GA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-12. A high-school valedictorian in 2002, Muharrar surveyed teens throughout the country to compile this accessible, informative study of the destructive effects of stereotyping peers. Her introductory survey shows how easy it is to make assumptions based upon young people's looks, interests, clothing, and friends. Many quotations from teens (credited only by gender and age) show how common labeling is and how sexist it can be. Occasional thought bubbles contribute intriguing statistics, and "Try It" activities, though directed at teens, can be adapted by teachers who want to tackle this issue in group settings. A separate chapter on slurs and hate words covers racism, homophobia, and prejudice against religious groups and the disabled. The enthusiastic, conversational tone will make the compassionate message very acceptable to teen readers, who are given much to think about as well as ways on how to respond to the cliques that exist in most high schools. Roger Leslie
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575421100
• ISBN-13: 978-1575421100
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,330,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pretty good =), July 1, 2002

By 

"stephthepoplover" (Chanhassen, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Than a Label: Why What You Wear or Who You're with Doesn't Define Who You Are (Paperback)

My mom had me read this book for her since she might be selling it in her store. I'm one of those people that doesn't go with the crowd & my friends are the same way. This book has a really great message in it and I agree with pretty much everything she says. I bet if every high school person read this book, I bet they'd have a better understanding that labels aren't everything. This book is really good & I'd recommend it to pretty much every teenager on the planet!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW, April 15, 2003

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: More Than a Label: Why What You Wear or Who You're with Doesn't Define Who You Are (Paperback)

I suppose I must be a teen at heart because I truly enjoyed this book, "More Than a Label." Teen author Aisha Muharrar does an outstanding job in making one stop and think
of all the times we, as individuals, label each other and why!

Giving teens input from their peers, the author shares a survey that more than 1,000 teens from across America took part in, as they explored labeling and what it meant to them. How they felt being labeled a Geek, Freak, Jock, just to name a few. Quite an eye opener!

She breaks her book down into three parts:
"What's in a Label?", "How Labels Make People Feel.", and "What You Can Do About Labeling." In each section she tells others experiences, asks the reader questions and
interacts with you, the reader. Very good job at making one think about what they are reading!

I not only recommend this for teens, but feel adults would benefit from this read, as well. After all, do we stop labeling because we turn 21? I think not!

A book that will make you know that you are more than a label, and why. Good job Ms. Muharrar, I hope to review other works by you in the future.

5.0 out of 5 stars Teenaged society's tendency to label and pigeonhole, August 4, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Than a Label: Why What You Wear or Who You're with Doesn't Define Who You Are (Paperback)

More Than A Label: Why What You Wear Or Who You're With Doesn't Define Who You Are by teenager Aisha Muharrar is an informative examination of teenaged society's tendency to label and pigeonhole one another into categories like "jock", "geek", "preppy", and so on. A survey of more than 1,000 American teens offers insight into how teenagers across America think and tend to automatically label one another. Various chapters address what labels are, how they can make people feel, and how one can break the label habit and help others do the same. The central message of More Than A Label is "Labels don't define you. YOU define you." It is a message that young people today desperately need to hear. More Than A Label is strongly recommended for high school and community library self-help and social issues collections.