How Mohammed Saved Miss Liberty
FINALIST NATIONAL BEST BOOKS 2008 AWARDSHow Mohammed Saved Miss Libertyaddresses the issue of anti-Muslim discrimination following September 11, 2001. Told from the perspective of a Muslim teen, the novel explores how life for fourteen-year-old Mohammed Ahmed and his family changes after 9/11.How Mohammed Saved Miss Libertyalso tells a unique story about one of our most treasured national monuments--the Statue of Liberty. --USA Book News2008 ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD WINNERLife is idyllic for a young Muslim Ohio boy who does well in school, helps his father at his service station, and dreams of seeing the Statue of Liberty. When the 9/11 terrorist attacks strike and the statue is closed due to heightened security, Mohammed fears he will never get to see his statue. Already in New York City on a class trip, Mohammed decides he is too close to go home empty handed. He sneaks off from the group, stows away on a crew boat heading for the island, and stands beneath Miss Liberty just for a minute, he says but he misses the last boat and spends the night sleeping under Miss Liberty s watchful stare. A storm starts wind and rain so strong you can t see. Is this the storm from his dreams? Will he come this far only to drown? Or will he get caught, a young Muslim boy sneaking around a cherished national monument carrying aQur'anand no identification. --Eric Hoffer Award CommitteeFOREWORD BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALISTMohammed couldn't wait to visit New York City. He dreamed of the Statue of Liberty at night, and during the day he fantasized about the grand city and all that he would do and see there. Plans were underway for the eighth grader to take a trip with the Young Engineers Club of his junior high school, but then 9/11 happened.How Mohammed Saved Miss Libertyis the story of a Muslim family in small-town Ohio. M. S. Holm tells of the friendships and hardships Mohammed and his family encounter in the aftermath of the tragic events.The community feels confusion, anger, and immense sadness at the loss of lives. Mohammed's father knows times will be difficult for a while. He tells Mohammed,Son, trouble comes when people are blinded by anger and hate, when they cannot see the good men differently from the bad ones. We are Muslims--peace-loving Muslims--and we are Americans too. Everything will be all right for us. Tawakkul 'ala Allah.But things aren't all right for the Ahmed family. Mohammed endures jokes, hatred, snickers, and even physical violence. His father's business, Ahmed Automotive, is boycotted, bringing financial problems to the family. To make matters worse, the trip to New York is cancelled.Holm writes about Mohammed and his family with much attention to detail and cultural nuance. He is knowledgeable about Muslim religious rituals and practices, and also gives insight into Mohammed's mother's Mexican culture. His storytelling is honest, believable, and compelling and his likeable characters lead the reader to feel compassion for the family, especially in light of the injustice and hatred they encounter.Holm brings great twists and anticipation to the story, building on each of the negative events, but also emphasizing the care and love that Mohammed receives from most of his neighbors, friends, and teachers.The story reaches its suspenseful climax when Mohammed finally makes it to New York. He plans to visitMiss Liberty,even though it is not on his club's agenda and the park has been closed for security reasons. This episode is full of tension, risk, and determination.How Mohammed Saved Miss Libertycan help show teens and young adults the complexities of relationships, and the possibility for good will toward friends, neighbors, and humanity. It also draws attention to the realities we face in this angry world. While some people choose hatred, the world is really full of kindness, acceptance, and generosity.FIVE STARS OUT OF FIVE--ForeWord Reviews