Mundie Moms

Friday, May 21, 2010

Book Review- Borderline

By Allan Stratton
Published by HarperTeen (Harper Collins)
Released on March 9th, 2010
Source: HarperTeen
3.5 Stars-It was a good read

The truth is closing in.

Life's not easy for Sami Sabiri since his dad stuck him at a private school where he's the only Muslim kid. But it's about to get a lot worse.

When Sami catches his father in a lie, he gets suspicious...He's not the only one. In a whirlwind, the FBI descends on his home, and Sami's family becomes the center of an International terrorist investigation. Now Sami must fight to keep his world from unraveling.

An explosive thriller ripped from today's headlines, Borderline is the story of a funny, gutsy Muslim-American teen determined to save his father, his family and his life. (from the cover)

Borderline is a very real, compelling novel about acceptance and how as a society we look at other people. Allan tackled some very serious issues and wove together some very heart pounding, jaw dropping moments. Borderline is such a believable book, that at times I forgot I was reading a novel, and not something found on the news.

I was thrilled when we were asked if we'd like to review Borderline. It's the first time I've read a YA book that tackled some very tough issues and did so, so well. Sami Sabiri is a witty teenage boy, with a good family, two great friends, and just so happens to be Muslim-American. He's had to deal with a lot of tough things in his young life. Being a Muslim American isn't an easy thing, and I feel Allan did a wonderful job at capturing the voice of a teen age boy, who's inner dialogue was done well and at times had me laughing out loud.

Growing up the only Muslim in his town isn't easy, and when Sami's dad is thought to be part of a terrorist group, things quickly go from bad to worse. Sami quickly learns that sometimes you have to pick and choose your own battles, but some battles you have no choice but to fight, and you'll do everything you can to fight it.

I really liked the supporting characters around Sami, who are his mother, father, history teacher and this two best friends. They see Sami for who he is. They don't ever think different of him nor treat him differently. Sami learns he can't run and hide, nor back down from anyone or anything. Even if it's the FBI, the head of the private school, the government, and the high school jock who is constantly threatening you.

Having dwelt with a lot of prejudices in his schools, Sami learns that it's not just teenagers who have them, but adults and those in high ranking offices who can be quick to judge. Sami has to find the truth in order to free his Dad and prove he's not a terrorist. That is going to be easier said than done. He'll have to cross into another country and meet the so call leader of the terrorist group, face to face.

This fast paced, post 9/11 story, is a suspenseful, thriller with real twists and turns that will leave you questioning how you view things.

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