Reviews
Frances Lincoln Reviews – SLJ July, 2009
ROBERT, Na’ima B. From Somalia, with Love. 160p. glossary. Frances Lincoln, dist. by PGW. 2009. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-84507-831-7; pap. $7.95. ISBN 978-1-84507-832-4. LC number unavailable.
Gr 6 Up–Safia has grown up believing her father died in the fighting in Somalia. When she finds out that he is alive and on his way to London to join the family, she is apprehensive about the difference his presence will make in her life. Though she is comfortable with her identity as a Muslim, she struggles with how her values differ from those of her rebellious brother and cousin. Her father is not prepared for his family’s hybrid British-Somali culture, which causes a great deal of conflict.
Safia must learn to cope with the new dynamics in her home and learn to love a father she has never known. At times, the author’s intent of creating a window into Somali culture and the immigrant experience is a bit heavy-handed. The book does do a good job of showing the richness of Somali culture as something positive and separate from the war that has torn the country apart for decades. This is a unique title that will be popular in regions that have large Somali populations or where Randa Abdel-Fattah’s books are popular. A glossary of Arabic and Somali words and phrases is included, but it is unclear from which language each one comes.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
Muslim Weekly review and coverage.