Chap 1-2
What two pieces of
information do we
learn about Amina, the
main character, on
page 1?
She is a very good
singer.
She is afraid of
singing in front of a
crowd.
Social Studies, Music, and Science
What is a hijab?
Hijab – noun – a head covering or scarf worn by Muslim women
How does Amina feel
inside of the mosque?
She feels calm. It is
comforting and familiar to her.
What is Mama doing to
prepare for Thaya
Jaan’s visit?
She is cooking – chopping
garlic and onions and other
vegetables to make masala.
How are Soojin and
Amina “opposites”?
Soojin eats very fast.
Amina eats slowly and
never finishes her food.
Who does Soojin
suggest be a part of
their group?
Soojin suggests Emily.
What is the setting for
Chapter 5?
The Islamic Center
What is Imam Malik’s
big announcement?
The Center is hosting a
Quran recitation
competition for students
across the state.
Why does Amina try to
avoid her clothes
absorbing the smell of
her mother’s cooking?
In elementary school Julie
made fun of her for the
smell of food on her
clothes. This led to Luke
giving her a mean
nickname.
Who is Julie Zawacki?
Julie is the person who
volunteers to sing the solo
when Amina doesn’t.
Amina thinks about how
she doesn’t have a very
good voice, but she
admires her courage.
Why does Amina wish
that she were back in
elementary school?
She wishes that she was
back in elementary school
because Soojin would act
normal, she wouldn’t have
to decide whether to sing a
solo or not, and she
wouldn’t have to work
with this group on the
pioneer project.
Why are Rabiya and
Dahlia a level ahead of
Amina in Sunday
school?
They are a level ahead
because they are better at
Arabic and reciting the
Quran than Amina. Your
skill in Arabic determines
which Sunday school class
you are in.
What does the winner of the competition receive?
The winner receives tickets Six
Flags and a scholarship for
college.
What is the setting for
Chapter 7?
Chapter 7 is set at Soojin’s
house.
Why does Baba want
Amina to study very
hard in middle school?
He is worried that she will
become like her older
brother Mustafa. Mustafa
had good grades in
elementary school, but his
grades dropped in middle
school. Now he is in high
school and Baba and Mama
are worried about him and
how he needs to “get
serious.”
What inspires Rabiya
and Amina to make
their own YouTube
video?
They see a video of a girl
singing that has 6,000
views. They agree that the
girl isn’t even a good
singer. Amina is much
better singer so she should
make a video!
How is Dahlia different
than Amina?
Dahlia wears her hijab all
the time – including to
school. Amina only wears
hers at the Islamic Center.
How does Amina feel
about Imam Malik’s
announcement?
Amina is nervous and does
not want to participate.
She immediately thinks
about her moment of panic
during her second grade
play and wonders how, if
she can’t even say English
lines, she would recite
Arabic lines from the
Quran.
How are Soojin’s house
and Amina’s house
similar?
Amina says they are
similar because you have
to take your shoes off in
both houses. Also there is
always a smell of food
cooking in both houses.
Who is coming to visit?
Thaya Jaan – Baba’s older
brother who lives in
Pakistan.
What are the adults
talking about when
Rabiya and Amina
come upstairs?
The adults are talking
about the upcoming visit of
Thaya Jaan. Baba says that
he is nervous for the visit
because of the negative
attitudes towards Muslims
in the news lately.
What are two pieces of
information that we
learn about Imam
Malik?
He speaks perfect Arabic
and English. He is really
good at video games. He is
from Florida.
What is Amina reading
while her father and
brother watch football?
Why is she reading
this?
She is reading Life on the
Oregon Trail to help
prepare for her class
project with Soojin, Emily,
and Bradley.
Why is Amina
frustrated with Soojin?
She feels that Soojin is
forgetting how Emily acted
towards them and is too
ready to forgive her and be
friends.