I really enjoyed reading it. I liked that Amal developed pride for her hijab rather than taking it off as soon as she left school. Many contemporary books I've read about Muslim teens, they usually want to push away from their culture. I liked it.
Tools for this page
Does My Head Look Big in This?
(2007, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Randa Abdel-Fattah)
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Muslim teen grows up, sees prejudice Down Under.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13 and Up
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Does My Head Look Big in This?
Parents need to know that the Muslim main character, Amal, who lives in Australia, faces religious and racial prejudice, including kids on the playground who tell the "darkies" to go home. She gets frustrated trying to explain that every Muslim is not a terrorist. The book addresses Islamic religious practices and customs, including misconceptions, and is very positive about the symbolism of the hijab that Amal decides to wear to school, emphasizing how empowered she feels wearing "this cloth [that] binds us in some kind of universal sisterhood." Amal doesn't drink or date boys, though other teens in the book drink and smoke.
Read our full review by Carrie R. Wheadon
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about their own religious beliefs and their perceptions of people from other faiths. Was any of the background about Islam surprising? After a terrorist attack in Bali, a fellow student asks Amal to "explain to everyone why they did it and how Islam justifies it." Amal, in turn, asks if the Christian girl could explain the Ku Klux Klan, or the IRA, or "Israeli soldiers bombing Palestinian homes." Families can discuss how the media portrays followers of different faiths, especially in the wake of violence.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Great story.
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
Great story.
I really enjoyed reading it. I liked that Amal developed pride for her hijab rather than taking it off as soon as she left school. Many contemporary books I've read about Muslim teens, they usually want to push away from their culture. I liked it.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Have you read it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
