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Bibliographic Information
- Title: Huda F Are You?
- Author: Huda Fahmy
- ISBN: 9780593324301
- Publisher: Dial Books
- Copyright Date: 2021
- Genre: Comics, Fictionalized graphic memoir,
- Format: Print Book
- Awards/Honors: Rise: A Feminist Book Project List – Young Adult Fiction: 2023
- Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 8-11, Lexile: 560
- Plot Summary:
In this humorous and candid coming-of-age comic, the main character, Huda Fahmy, shares her experiences as she and her family, consisting of her parents and four sisters, move to Dearborn, Michigan. This quaint town has a large Muslim population. For Huda, transitioning from being the “Yes, I’m Hot In This” hijabi girl to one of many hijab-wearing girls in town prompts her to explore her identity beyond just her hijab. Huda navigates a new environment where she is no longer the sole hijab girl, which leads her to question who she is if she is not defined by her hijab. Although Huda wears her hijab throughout the book, even to bed, her experiences reveal her journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she encounters both overt and subtle forms of Islamophobia and xenophobia from classmates and even a teacher.
As a young teenager trying to understand herself, Huda takes readers on a journey that moves beyond identifying with her religious beliefs, shaping her identity through her experiences with her matriarchal family and her efforts to find her niche in school. Her family relocates to Dearborn to escape the challenges one of Huda’s older sisters faced in school. Through this transition, Huda realizes that she cannot depend solely on her identity as the “hijabi girl.” As she reflects on her interests, tries new activities, and examines her friendships at school, each newfound label continues to elude her. Additionally, when the school overreacts to a student bringing a homemade clock to class, Huda is reminded that, in addition to her quest for self-discovery, she must also confront the prejudice faced by Muslims in America.
- Author Background:
Huda Fahmy grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and has loved comics since childhood. She studied English at the University of Michigan and spent eight years teaching English to middle and high school students. Eventually, she began sharing her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America, and her older sister encouraged her to turn these stories into comics. Huda became a finalist for the National Book Award for her YA graphic novel, Huda F Cares?
In addition to her graphic novel work, Huda is the illustrator of the internationally successful webcomic Yes, I’m Hot in This, where she humorously navigates the everyday challenges of being a hijab-wearing woman, especially in hot climates. When she’s not drawing or Googling “breathable cotton dresses,” Huda enjoys spending time with her husband, Gehad, and their children at home in Houston, Texas.
- Critical Evaluation: Navigating high school can be one of life’s significant challenges, as individuals seek to discover their identities and find their place among peers. Huda F. Are You? effectively captures this journey, particularly through the lens of a Muslim woman living in the United States. Huda’s character is portrayed with authenticity and humor, making her relatable as she grapples with the same struggles faced by many.
Fahmy’s writing and cartooning skills shine in this full-color graphic novel, drawing readers into Huda’s world through simple layouts that balance words and art beautifully. A highlight of Fahmy’s work is her ability to convey complex emotions clearly, both through dialogue and vivid comic imagery. Her distinct writing style enhances the narrative, making the story engaging and heartfelt.
The memoir is a thoughtful exploration of universal growing pains, depicted with a Muslim perspective. With large panels and stylized illustrations reminiscent of webcomics, it offers a quick yet profound reading experience. The representation of Muslim characters showcases a variety of skin tones, body types, and hijab styles, enriching the narrative’s authenticity. Overall, Fahmy does an excellent job of reflecting her identity, heritage, and community, tackling important themes with wit and realism in her semi-autobiographical comic.
- Creative Use for a Library Program: The main plot of this book revolves around identity. So, it could be fun for a library program to create something that focuses on one’s identity. The library can structure it so that teens are making an artifact or creating artwork that represents their identity. The focus should be on what makes them unique, what makes them them. Perhaps the library can provide some of the materials to get teens started, and when they’re done, the library can host an art walk so that the teens can showcase their work.
- Speed Round Book Talk/ Short Book Trailer: Going to high school and figuring out who you are and fit in is one of the great challenges all people face. Huda F. Are You? does a great job of telling that story and adding in the additional layer of being a Muslim woman in the United States. Huda’s voice is realistic and funny. She is unique and special, going along trying to figure things out, just like everyone else.
- Potential Challenges Issues/ Preparation for the Book: After carefully researching possible challenges and issues for this book, I could not find any. After reading this book, I do not see any issues that could arise from it, and this comes after putting aside any bias and just looking at the book for what it is. Which is a wonderful treasure that so many people of any age will get a kick out of.
- Reason for Inclusion: I found the title to be very catchy and hilarious. If this author could laugh at herself, find humor in her name, and welcome readers into her world, then I would ask her to come in. This book is funny and sad at times. Young readers would be curious about it and want to pick it up. It’s relatable and strikes a chord with anyone who has ever been the new kid.
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References
Amazon. (n.d.). About the author. Amazon. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HHSRQNG/about
Fahmy, H. (n.d.). About. Huda Fahmy. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from
The Booked Librarian 
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