I loved Amina's Voice, but I think this book takes her story to a whole new level. There's a line where she's talking about leaving her family after a visit in Pakistan, where she's sad because she's missing all the memories they won't make together in the future, being far away from each other -- her experience really resonates with me. Hena Khan really captured that bittersweet and beautiful connection to faraway family. This is a book full of good moments -- funny, sweet, confused, growing-up moments. I love the different ways Amina finds to talk with her American friends about Pakistan, and that she finds a way to change the conversation and celebrate her heritage. I also loved the emphasis on kids helping others in the community. Empowering, and really stellar.

Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by Edelweiss. ( )

I am a little sad that I won't be reading any more about Amina This is last of the two book series about a Pakistani American girl in junior high. In this book, her family flew to Pakistan to see her uncle's family. Amina gets to experience more Pakistani food, going to the shops and learning more Urdu. Oddly enough, I do identify with Amina at this age, I was very shy at school and did not have great friends like Amina did.

When Amina returned home, she was bursting with exciting news about her trip To Pakistan but her friends were only mildly interested. They thought that all of Pakistab was a dangerous place and could not understand why she went. But So0jin decides to run for class president and Amina joins the drama club. That led to her meeting Nico, who has moved into the community and did not have any friends. But together they found a common interest in music and that led to collaboration on a big project.

I wish that I could post direct quotes from this book because Amina learns for herself many illuminating truths about community service and correcting wrong perceptions. Her cousin in Pakistan helps her with the project and she now adds Nico as a true friend who is accepted among all her family. I highly recommend thiI am a little sad that I won't be reading any more about Amina This is last of the two book series about a Pakistani American girl in junior high. In this book, her family flew to Pakistan to see her uncle's family. Amina gets to experience more Pakistani food, going to the shops and learning more Urdu. Oddly enough, I do identify with Amina at this age, I was very shy at school and did not have great friends like Amina did.

When Amina returned home, she was bursting with exciting news about her trip To Pakistan but her friends were only mildly interested. They thought that all of Pakistab was a dangerous place and could not understand why she went. But So0jin decides to run for class president and Amina joins the drama club. That led to her meeting Nico, who has moved into the community and did not have any friends. But together they found a common interest in music and that led to collaboration on a big project.

I wish that I could post direct quotes from this book because Amina learns for herself many illuminating truths about community service and correcting wrong perceptions. Her cousin in Pakistan helps her with the project and she now adds Nico as a true friend who is accepted among all her family. I highly recommend thiI am a little sad that I won't be reading any more about Amina This is last of the two book series about a Pakistani American girl in junior high. In this book, her family flew to Pakistan to see her uncle's family. Amina gets to experience more Pakistani food, going to the shops and learning more Urdu. Oddly enough, I do identify with Amina at this age, I was very shy at school and did not have great friends like Amina did.

When Amina returned home, she was bursting with exciting news about her trip To Pakistan but her friends were only mildly interested. They thought that all of Pakistab was a dangerous place and could not understand why she went. But So0jin decides to run for class president and Amina joins the drama club. That led to her meeting Nico, who has moved into the community and did not have any friends. But together they found a common interest in music and that led to collaboration on a big project.

I wish that I could post direct quotes from this book because Amina learns for herself many illuminating truths about community service and correcting wrong perceptions. Her cousin in Pakistan helps her with the project and she now adds Nico as a true friend who is accepted among all her family. I highly recommend this book to all pre-teens and older.

I won this Advance Review Copy along with the first book in the series, Amina's Voice in a contest in First Reads and the publisher sent both books. All my thoughts and feelings in this review are my own. ( )