AMINA'S VOICE

Narrator Soneela Nankani's youthful voice is a wonderful match for shy sixth-grader Amina, her Pakistani-American family, and her Korean-American best friend, Soojin. As Amina faces a new school year, Nankani recounts her struggles with new friendships, her lack of confidence to sing in a recital, her experience with being bullied, and her betrayal of her friends' trust. Characters are well distinguished with tone and accents, making the family's painful dinners with their conservative uncle especially believable. Passages concerning a hate crime at Amina's Islamic Center are portrayed thoughtfully, highlighting the devastation her friends and family feel after the incident, and the compassion of the community members who come together to rebuild. Nankani lets Amina's voice shine with confidence and strength in the heartfelt conclusion. E.E.C. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2017]