ASK ME NO QUESTIONS by Marina Budhos

Review by Christi De Leon

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Budhos, Marina. Ask Me No Questions. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2007. ISBN 1416949208

PLOT SUMMARY

Ask Me No Questions is about a teenaged girl named Nadira and her family who came to America from Bangladesh. Their visas have expired, and they were in the process of becoming legal citizens living in New York City. After 9/11, changes happen in which Muslims are viewed as suspected terrorists. The family flees to Canada, but Nadira’s father is arrested and detained at the Canadian border. Nadira and her older sister, Aisha, return to Queens to continue school. Living with uncertainty about what will happen to her family, Nadira is determined to find a way to help.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Written in first person from Nadira’s point of view, the writing accurately reflects the voice of a teenager. Nadira’s strong emotions expressed from her angle add value to the story, capturing their situation in a way that is true-to-life. Although often overlooked or made fun of, Nadira becomes the glue that holds her family together by being brave. Emphasis is placed on the importance of family, regardless of how difficult the situation is. As evidenced by the story, Nadira’s family expresses their hopes of becoming U.S. citizens and their longing to call America home. Through the experiences in this book, including Aisha’s choices, this compelling story conveys how acceptance impacts a person’s life and future.

This realistic fiction novel gives readers a glimpse into what life was like for this family during a time of drastic change causing a shift in perceptions and actions. This book is more than just a contemporary story of one family, but is somewhat representative of the many families facing deportation. Books like Ask Me No Questions allow readers to put themselves in the shoes of others in which they otherwise would not be aware. The book also includes educational aspects, such as insight into the Muslim culture. It also discusses the important topic of illegal immigration. The endnote contains background information about the effect on illegal immigrants after the 9/11 attack. It also mentions events that led to the writing of this book.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

From School Library Journal: “…this is an important facet of the American immigrant experience, worthy of wider attention.”

From Booklist: “Readers will feel the heartbreak, prejudice, kindness, and fear.”

CONNECTIONS

Gather other books by Marina Budhos to read such as:

Watched. ISBN 0553534181

Tell Us We’re Home. ISBN 1442421282

Possible activities:

Compare and contrast Nadira’s character traits with Aisha’s.

Discuss themes found in the story such as immigration.