Author/Illustrator: Asma Mobin-Uddin/Barbara Kiwak
Plot Summary: A brother and sister begin a new school and are the only Muslim students. The boy's Muslim teacher helps him find his way where he maintains his identity while making new friends.
Comments: An interesting portrayal of an aspect of multiculturalism that has become more common in our country. The book could be used to initiate a discussion about prejudices. The part about Bilal's teacher having dinner at his house and being an old friend of his father was a little hokey.
Extensions:
1. Following a read aloud, fourth and fifth graders would write a response to literature describing a situation where they were different or what they would do if they were in the situation that Bilal found himself in.
2. Students would be asked to bring in something to share with the class that is different or unique abut them. It could be something from home that is a symbol of their cultural background or they could just describe something about themselves that is unique.
Themes/keywords: Muslims, prejudices, schools
Age/Reading Level: Interest Level - K-4; ATOS 3.5;
Standards:
1. Expeditionary Learning Design Principle - Diversity and Inclusion
2. ELA2R4/ELA3R3 The student uses a variety of strategies to gain meaning from grade-level text.
3. ELA4R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a
warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational
texts.
4. ELA2W1/ELA3W1 The student demonstrates competency in the writing process.
5. ELA4W2 The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
Publisher's Info: Boyds Mills Press, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 2005.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-175-3
ISBN-10: 1-59078-175-9
Awards/Review Sources:
School Library Journal 08/01/05 | Publishers Weekly 08/29/05 |
| Horn Book 04/01/06 | Kirkus Review 07/01/05 |
| Multicultural Review 03/01/06 | Catholic Library World 03/01/06 |
Websites:
Ideas for Discussions, additional Award - http://www.boydsmillspress.com/books/picture_book/my_name_is_bilal.html
The Author's Website: http://www.asmamobinuddin.com/
Notes for Booktalk:
Vocabulary: Introduces some Arabic words
Comments