Nimra is nervous about trading her small Islamic academy for seventh grade in a public middle school, and though she knows it will be a transition--she'll be the only girl there in a hijab--she's thrilled to finally join her best friend in the classroom. But when a suddenly distant Jenna doesn't make an effort to include her, Nimra's one comfort slips away. In a seemingly helpful twist of fate, three older Muslim boys overhear Nimra singing as she prays at school, and they invite her to join their band. Nimra is torn about hanging out with the boys, which might regain Jenna's approval, because creating music conflicts with her family's interpretation of Islamic guidelines. She decides to briefly join up and quietly drop out once she's back in Jenna's inner circle, but the band flourishes, and life becomes more complicated. It's a delight to watch Nimra navigate school, family, and friendships while taking pride in her religion and abilities. She's a wonderful, confident kid who has no patience for stereotyping or unkindness, and the story gives her room to examine her faith, make mistakes, and get a little messy. Fraught family relationships, shifting friendships, differing religious practices--they're big topics, but debut-author Siddiqui deftly tackles them with warmth, humor, and compassion.

Twelve-year-old Nimra Sharif is attending public school for the first time. Pakistani American Nimra was home-schooled until she was 8, then attended a private Islamic school where she memorized the Quran, becoming a hafiza. Now her parents have decided that it is time for her to attend public school, where she'll be with her childhood best friend, Jenna, a White girl. But once seventh grade starts, Jenna ignores and avoids Nimra. Fortunately, Nimra meets other Muslim students: Matthew, a White convert; Bilal and Khadijah, Somali American siblings; and Pakistani American Waleed. When Bilal, Matthew, and Waleed ask her to join Barakah Beats, their Muslim band, she hesitates because of her family's interpretation of Islamic teachings, which eschews taking part in instrumental music. But she gives in, believing that hanging out with three popular, attractive eighth grade boys will impress Jenna. Her plan to join the band just long enough to regain Jenna's friendship before dropping out leads to her lying to her parents--and a sticky friendship situation when the boys sign up to perform at a mosque talent show to raise money for refugees. While secondary characters are less well fleshed out, Nimra grows, takes responsibility for her actions, and thoughtfully engages with her faith. Siddiqui has written a sympathetic character who wants to stay true to her beliefs while facing the pressures of school, changing relationships, and diverse beliefs about music within Muslim communities. An important story about staying true to yourself. (author's note) (Fiction. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 4--8--When Nimra memorizes the Qur'an ahead of schedule, her parents decide to send her to public school as a seventh grader, an entire year earlier than planned. At least Nimra will have her longtime friend Jenna to show her the ropes--right? But Nimra's new classmates have all kinds of assumptions about her faith, and Jenna isn't defending her. So when Barakah Beats, the popular Muslim boyband at school, wants her to sing with them, Nimra agrees, even though performing goes against her beliefs. But as lies build, Nimra is torn between friends, family, and faith, until she's no longer sure who she is. From the very beginning, this is an excellently constructed story. Nimra's dilemmas and challenges will be understood by every reader, regardless of faith or background. Nimra spends the book feeling deeply conflicted about music and its role in her faith and life, but the book's ultimate strength is in demonstrating how, just like there is no one right way to be a teenager, there is no one right way to practice faith. Nimra's decision at the story's end will likely surprise many, but it is one that feels absolutely true to the character. And when she does find her voice, readers will feel the chills right along with her. VERDICT Every elementary and middle school library will benefit from this touching story about a preteen struggling to reconcile faith, friends, and family against the backdrop of an American middle school.--Kristin Brynsvold, Tuckahoe Elem. Sch., Arlington, VA