Discussion Questions
1. On page 29, Nadira recalls an old playground chant that began “Ask me no questions...” She says that this more or less sums up her school’s policy on illegal immigrants. What does she mean by this?
2. On page 3, Nadira laments that her father treats Aisha “like a firstborn son.” What is the significance of that statement? How is this theme dealt with throughout the story?
3. What institutions or groups of people does the author seem critical of?
4. How would this story be different from Aisha’s perspective? How would the story be different if Nadira was a boy?
5. Almost every character in this story has his or her own opinion on how best to deal with Abba’s detention and looming deportation -from playing by the rules to breaking the law to protesting to simply waiting. Does the author seem to have her own opinion on the matter? Whose opinion do you agree with?
6. Aisha calls Tareq a “lowlife” and readers find out in chapter fourteen that he is involved in some illegal activity. Is he a bad guy? What function does his character serve in this story?
7. Describe the relationship between Nadira’s uncle and her cousin Taslima. What is the significance of their relationship?
8. What “evidence” does Nadira present in court to exonerate her father? Why does it work? What comment is the author making here?
9. Compare and contrast the roles played by Mr. Rashid and Ali-Uncle in this story. What aspects of the immigration experience does each help illustrate?
10. Maria Budhos dedicates this book to “those children waiting to be seen.” Who are they? What does this tell you about her purpose in writing this story?
Summary:
In the months following September 11th all Muslim men - regardless of their legal status or political affiliation - were forced to register with the government. Many of these men were subsequently arrested, detained, and eventually deported along with their families. When her father is arrested after a failed attempt to flee to Canada, fourteen-year-old Nadira must find a way to bring her family back together, all the while feeling like a dangerous outsider in the country she thought was her home.
