Inclusive Literature - Module 6

Bibliography

Budhos, Marina Tamar. 2006. Ask me no questions. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-1416903512

Plot Summary

Fourteen year old Nadira and her family left their home country of Bangladesh eight years ago and came to America on tourist visas. Even though their visa expired, they stayed and tried to lead a life undetected. In the aftermath of 9-11 they find themselves a target of the many new registration laws and possible deportation so they flee to Canada to seek asylum only to find that life takes an unexpected turn. Quiet Nadira will be tested as she and her older sister, Aisha are separated from their parents.

Critical Analysis

Budhos gives readers a new perspective in this novel that chronicles the lives of the Muslim immigrant family (The Hossains) from Bangladesh. Throughout the book numerous cultural markers appear in the form of the clothing worn by members of Nadira’s family and extended family including, Ma’s shalwar kameez, and Ali-Uncle’s long kurta. Taslima, Nadira’s cousin also refers to their brown skin color, “all brown people are the same to them”, she said to her father referring to the difference between them and Pakistani people.

As a result of their outward appearance, the Hossain family is racially profiled and Nadira’s father is detained at the Canadian border pending possible deportation. After numerous failed attempts to gain citizenship prior to 9-11, it seems hopeless for Nadira’s family. Her sister, Aisha, who is set to graduate from high school and possibly be named valedictorian, loses her strength and will to fight the overwhelming battle with the government. Nadira continues to heed the words of her father and maintain a slow, calm pace as she begins to put together a strong case to defend her family’s innocence. Nadira’s patience and perseverance pay off and her father is released and given the opportunity to appeal for residency.

Review Excerpts

“Budhos's moving, quietly powerful novel explores the post-9/11 pressures on fourteen-year-old Nadira's Muslim family, Bangladeshi immigrants who have lived productively but illegally in New York for eight years. When they seek asylum in Canada and her father is detained at the border, Nadira realizes it is up to her to prove his innocence and hold her family together.” Horn Book starred review

“Illegal immigrant sisters learn a lot about themselves when their family faces deportation in this compelling contemporary drama. Immigrants from Bangladesh, Nadira, her older sister Aisha and their parents live in New York City with expired visas. Fourteen-year-old Nadira describes herself as "the slow-wit second-born" who follows Aisha, the family star who's on track for class valedictorian and a top-rate college. Everything changes when post-9/11 government crack-downs on Muslim immigrants push the family to seek asylum in Canada where they are turned away at the border and their father is arrested by U.S. immigration. The sisters return to New York living in constant fear of detection and trying to pretend everything is normal. As months pass, Aisha falls apart while Nadira uses her head in "a right way" to save her father and her family. Nadira's need for acceptance by her family neatly parallels the family's desire for acceptance in their adopted country. A perceptive peek into the lives of foreigners on the fringe.” Kirkus Review

Connections

Young adult readers selecting books on the topic of immigration might consider these titles:

Alvarez, Julia. Return to Sender. ISBN 9780375858383
Kheridian, David. Asking the River. Ill. Nonny Hogrogian. ISBN 9780531054833
Littman, Sarah. Life After. ISBN 978054515443