Salaam, With Love
What’s inside...
This heartfelt and humorous YA contemporary follows Dua, who spends the month of Ramadan making unexpected discoveries about family, faith, and first love. Being crammed into a house in Queens with her cousins is not how Dua envisions her trip to New York City. But here she is, spending the holy month of Ramadan with extended family she hasn’t seen in years. Dua struggles to find her place in the conservative household and to connect with her aloof, engaged-to-be-married cousin, Mahnoor. And as if fasting the whole day wasn’t tiring enough, she must battle her hormones whenever she sees Hassan, the cute drummer in a Muslim band who has a habit of showing up at her most awkward moments. After just a month, Dua is surprised to find that she’s learning a lot more than she bargained for about her faith, relationships, her place in the world—and cute drummers. Underlined is a line of totally addictive romance, thriller, and horror paperback original titles coming to you fast and furious each month. Enjoy everything you want to read the way you want to read it.
Discussion points
How do you think Zara feels when she navigates her identity and culture? Can you relate to her experiences in any way?
What are the ways Zara tries to balance her Pakistani heritage with her American lifestyle? What would you do in her place?
How do Zara's family dynamics influence her decisions and actions throughout the book?
What role does friendship play in Zara's life? How do her friends help her grow?
What did you learn about Pakistani culture and traditions from this book? What was the most interesting aspect for you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin your discussion by sharing your own thoughts on the challenges and rewards of balancing cultural identities, as portrayed in the book. Encourage your child to draw parallels to their own life or the lives of their friends. Praise their insights and gently guide them to consider different perspectives. Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding in friendships, especially when friends come from different backgrounds. Highlight the value of maintaining one’s cultural heritage while embracing new experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for cultural diversity
Explanation: The protagonist, Zara, navigates her identity and faith within the context of a predominantly non-Muslim environment, enhancing the appreciation of her own culture and the cultures of others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and respect diverse cultures and backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their interactions with peers from different walks of life.
Example Lesson: Importance of family bonds
Explanation: Throughout the book, Zara's relationship with her family, especially her grandmother, highlights the significance of family support and understanding.
Real-World Application: Young readers can appreciate the value of family relationships and feel encouraged to foster stronger bonds and open communication with their own family members.
Example Lesson: Courage to express oneself
Explanation: Zara shows courage in sharing her personal experiences and faith, reflecting her growth in self-expression and confidence.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to confidently express their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings, and to stand up for themselves in various life situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: The book portrays how empathy is crucial when faced with differing opinions and misunderstandings among friends.
Real-World Application: It teaches children the importance of being empathetic, leading to more considerate interactions and conflict resolution in daily life.
Example Lesson: Balancing personal identity with societal norms
Explanation: Zara's journey showcases her efforts to balance her cultural and religious identity with the expectations of her school environment.
Real-World Application: This lesson highlights the importance for children to find harmony in preserving their own identity while adapting to external social expectations.