Sadia by Colleen Nelson (Book Review)

*Disclosure of material connection- I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions stated are 100% my own. 

About the book-

Sadia wishes life in high school was as straightforward as a game of basketball

Fifteen-year-old Sadia Ahmadi is passionate about one thing: basketball. Her best friend Nazreen, on the other hand, wants to get noticed by the popular crowd and has started de-jabbing, removing her hijab, at school every morning. Sadia’s mom had warned her that navigating high school could be tricky. As much as she hates to admit it, her mom was right.

When tryouts for an elite basketball team are announced, Sadia jumps at the opportunity. Her talent speaks for itself. Her head scarf, on the other hand, is a problem; especially when a discriminatory rule means she has to choose between removing her hijab and not playing. Nazreen, Sadia’s parents, and her teammates all have different opinions about what she should do. But it is Sadia who has to find the courage to stand up for herself and fight for what is right — on and off the court.

My thoughts-

When I want something quick to read I always look to Young Adult novels. I love the quick pace of them, but also that they are usually full of emotion. I wanted to read Sadia because it was a perspective of someone different from me, and I think that diversifying your reading can help you be a more understanding person. I thought the author did a great job of letting us see high school and the world through Sadia's eyes. Her parents are pretty laid back for Muslims (I grew up in a house with a pretty strict Muslim step parent), but shows that just like in any religion there are varying degrees of personality through her two Muslim friends. I also liked that the author touched on the crisis going on in Syria. It is good to expose kids and young adults to current events. I loved that basketball was Sadia's passion, and enjoyed seeing her team have her back when she ran into some problems with rules and regulations, but I absolutely loved the side plot about the photography and passion projects. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fiction or anyone who may want to step into someone else's shoes for a few hours via Sadia's story.