This coming-of-age story finds Alina Butt, an eleven-year-old Pakistani Muslim sixth grader, facing a new school. First-day challenges include finding friends, bringing Halal foods for lunch, inviting friends to her home with Islamic artifacts on display, and lacking confidence in her last name. Alina quickly makes friends with a group of girls who enjoy her humour and wit and bond over a common love for the Spice Girls. It doesn’t take long before the class bully, Adam Atkin, discovers Alina’s true last name, and the teasing begins. Quickly, this is overshadowed by a teenage boy harassing her older sister. Alina tries out for the lead in the school play, a fractured fairy tale version of Cinderella, but finds herself with the lesser role of the Mouse. Regardless, Alina embraces the part and shines on the stage. The story covers the themes of bullying, consent, harassment, and self-confidence.

Bibliography: No
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Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Ambreen Butt-Hussain is the author of the debut middle-grade novel The Unlovable Alina Butt. Ambreen was born in Pakistan but lived in England and Scotland before finally settling in Canada for many years. She has a bachelor of science from the University of Toronto and a master of education from Queen’s University. She continues to move around and has recently made Princeton, New Jersey her new home, with her husband and two sons.

 

Ambreen Butt-Hussain's profile page

• Nominated, Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards - Fiction
• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection

“A charming middle-grade novel that tackles themes of self-acceptance, cultural identity, and navigating the often-treacherous waters of friendship and belonging…Butt-Hussain’s writing is warm and engaging, peppered with moments of humour and genuine emotion…This is a celebration of courage, individuality, and the transformative power of friendship. It’s a book that will remind you that even the most “unloveable” among us have a unique voice worth cherishing.”

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“The author manages to touch on bullying, self-confidence, harassment and consent... Readers will be able to empathize with Alina’s struggles to fit in, and the triumphant ending for all the characters leaves the hope that things will always get better. Recommended.”

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“An endearing, spunky protagonist whose personality is realistically developed.”

Booklist

“This charming, eye-opening book highlights not only the struggles of an immigrant girl, but the power that comes from seeing things through someone else’s eyes.”

School Library Journal (SLJ)

“A highly entertaining story…This charming novel will appeal to every kid who has ever struggled to find their place in the universe.”

Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Children’s Book News

“In this charming, tightly plotted debut, Alina’s witty, vulnerable narratorial voice guides readers through her intensely authentic personal evolution.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Introduces important issues to young readers…Readers will come away with an understanding that we are really not that different from one another after all. Recommended.”

School Library Connection