I really liked this one a lot and will be ordering it for my school library with my next budget order. One thing I thought was great was how we got the viewpoint of three girls from completely different backgrounds, but who all had their Black Muslim connections. I feel like the book also gave a lot of good looks into people who say they are one thing, but in reality are not as good as they want to project. Not only kids in this case, but also adults. But it also showed how you can hold on to someone’s past mistakes, when maybe they have matured or are sorry and no longer behaving in the way that you are holding against them.

There was also a great look at how living in a community that seems safe can affect how a teen might feel about leaving and going out into a different type of world from what they are used to. How that can seem stifling at first, but with the way the internet it, views of things can change quickly. Another great thing was how the book showed that the internet can be a great way to connect and make really good friends, as the three main characters did with each other through the You Truly Assumed blog. Along with that there was the other side though, the trolls and the hatred that is so often seen these days online, and how unfortunately that seems to be how people are going to view all internet and social media, as bad.

In the end the way the girls were able to figure out to handle these online issues was a great way, and one that I firmly believe in not letting the bad things ruin such great things. And it wasn’t even just their day to day life and issues that were great in this book. The family dynamics all three had to deal with were realistic and meaningful to the story as well as to teens in real life in my opinion. A great story, will be highly recommending for my students!

Review first published on Lisa Loves Literature.