Fight Back
on Goodreads (271)
What’s inside...
An empowering story about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it. Aaliyah, a thirteen-year-old from the Midlands, feels at home in her community until a terrorist attack changes everything. As racial tension escalates, Aaliyah faces bullying but decides to proudly wear a hijab, challenging misconceptions. When her right to wear a hijab at school is questioned and she faces attacks, she feels isolated but discovers she's not alone. Together with friends from diverse backgrounds, Aaliyah fights back against discrimination and hatred. This book by A. M. Dassu encourages empathy, challenges stereotypes, and explores issues like racism and Islamophobia, promoting positive action and the power of unity.
Age
10-14
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Aaliyah's experiences at school make you feel, and why do you think she felt compelled to stand up for others?
What does courage mean to you, and how did you see it demonstrated in the book?
What role do friends and family play in helping Aaliyah cope with her challenges?
How do you think Aaliyah changed from the beginning to the end of the story, and what caused those changes?
What can we learn from Aaliyah's story about dealing with difficult situations in our own lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting the discussion, share a personal story where you faced a dilemma and had to make a tough choice. It helps the child relate their feelings to real-life scenarios.
Encourage your child to think about how they would react in Aaliyah’s situation, fostering empathy and critical thinking.
Highlight the importance of understanding different perspectives by discussing the viewpoints of various characters in the book.
Use follow-up questions that require more than a yes or no answer to encourage deeper thinking and engagement.
After discussing the book, encourage your child to draw a scene or write a short story about how they would overcome a challenge inspired by Aaliyah's story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Fight Back', the protagonist navigates challenges that highlight the importance of understanding diverse perspectives and backgrounds, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to appreciate the differences among their peers and offering support when others face difficulties.
Example Lesson: Courage and Resilience
Explanation: The story showcases the protagonist's brave actions in the face of adversity, emphasizing the value of courage and resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to face their own challenges with bravery, whether it's standing up against bullying or persisting through tough tasks.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community Support
Explanation: The protagonist experiences the strength of community support throughout the book, teaching the significance of helping and being helped by others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to actively participate in their own communities, understanding that collective efforts can lead to positive changes.
Example Lesson: Standing Up for What is Right
Explanation: The book illustrates the protagonist's journey in fighting for justice and equality, instilling the principle of standing up for what is right.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to speak up against injustices and learn the importance of ethical behavior and fairness.
Example Lesson: Personal Growth through Challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist grows and learns from each obstacle, demonstrating that challenges can lead to personal development.
Real-World Application: Children can see challenges as opportunities for personal growth, learning from their experiences and becoming stronger individuals.