The Hijab Boutique

By Michelle Khan

"The Hijab Boutique is a wonderful book that will appeal to young readers age 10 and up. Black and white illustrations add to the message's impact. One of the striking attributes of The Hijab Boutique is its sensitive treatment of the topic of respecting cultural differences, and rethinking automatic responses." The Midwest Book Review

"Michelle Khan's first children's book, The Hijab Boutique, is a quick read with a deep and resounding message... I’m excited to have such a simple yet profound story to share with my nieces, and any other girl who cares to read and learn a meaningful lesson about inner strength, faith, and womanhood through another’s eyes." Luxury Reading

Farah enjoyed her private girls' school and fun with her friends. Then an assignment meant she had to talk about her mother for "International Woman's Day" in front of the whole class. Compared to her friends' glamorous actress, make-up artist, and tap-dancing mothers, what can her modest mother possibly have that is worth sharing with her classmates? To Farah's surprise, her mother was quite the business woman before putting her career on hold to care for her daughter.

Michelle Khan is an award-winning Indian Canadian writer. She started her career at a University of Toronto student paper, and eventually her words hit daily newspaper pages. For six years, Michelle wrote an internationally syndicated youth advice column. Her work led her to win a $5,000 scholarship from book publisher Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. She went onto earn a $15,000 award from Global Television Network. Michelle lives in Toronto, Canada, with her parents and younger sister. This is her first chapter book for kids.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Islamic Foundation
• Release date: Aug 23, 2011
• ISBN: 9780860374947

Book preview

DEDICATION

FOR TAUFIQ IQBAL SUFI,

WHO ONCE TOLD ME

I COULD BECOME A WRITER.

NOW I AM.

THANK YOU.

1

MISS PEABODY’S ACADEMY AND THE IMPOSSIBLE SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT

Listen up! Listen up! Listen up EVERYONE!

Our classroom lights are switched off. And, back on again.

Ms. Grant sure knows how to get the attention of her students. She must’ve passed teacher’s college with full marks. I sit up in my seat despite my itchy uniform. I am seriously plagued by Monday midday blues.

This Thursday is International Women’s Day, Ms. Grant announces with her hands on her itty-bitty hips. Her pleated, knee-length skirt stands firm. People from around the world will be celebrating what it means to be a woman. I’d like you to bring in something that symbolizes your mother. You’re all expected to present one item over the course of three class periods.

Right then, the school bell rings. Relief bursts through me. It’s the end of the day! I’ve been operating on ‘half-battery’ because I stayed up late studying for this morning’s math test. Everyone in my classroom is chatting away at full speed. Even Ms. Grant knows that getting anyone’s attention now is a lost cause. She walks back to her desk where everything is placed ‘just so’. It’s clear that she has an allergy to anything messy. I wouldn’t be surprised if she arranges her wardrobe according to colour at home, in alphabetical order! But my fellow students rush out of our classroom like they’ve got springs on their feet. I follow the crowd and get going too.

Have a nice evening, Farah, my social studies teacher says.

Thank you, Ms. Grant, I say, heading out the door. The same to you.

I board our school bus (a.k.a. the Banana Boat) with my best friend, Ashanti Smith. We’ve been BFFs (best friends forever) ever since we were toddlers. No joke. Mom says we hit it off in a baby playgroup. I guess we had an instant connection–before we could spell the word. We’re both ‘only children’, and refer to ourselves as ‘soul sisters’. We love to do EVERYTHING together. Naturally, we’re glued to each other on the Banana Boat, too. I always get the window seat, no questions asked. In solid friendships, some things – thankfully! - are just a given.

It’s no coincidence that Ashanti and I attend the same prestigious, all-girls private school. Here’s the scoop: two years ago, we left our local elementary school. We set our sights on our new school after reading about it in the children’s section of our local newspaper. The article explained how Miss Peabody’s Academy is known state-wide for its fantastic art programmes. Why wouldn’t we want to go to an environment where our talents would bloom? After all, Ashanti and I are art fanatics. We’ve taken Saturday morning art classes together forever. Once we found the school of our dreams, we made a case to our mothers, explaining why we wanted to attend. We must have rehearsed a million times behind closed doors in anticipation of their questions! Alhamdulillah, our hard work paid off. Both mothers gave us the bright green light! However, our battle was yet to be won. Next, came the admission process. F.Y.I.: places at Miss Peabody’s Academy don’t just depend on parents being able to afford hefty tuition fees. Prospective students have to go through a tough interview process. The teachers grilled us with questions. We answered honestly. Both Ashanti and I brought in portfolios of our artwork. And then, the day we were waiting for arrived, and – tah – dah! – the postman delivered letters welcoming us to join Miss Peabody’s Academy. I can still taste the sweet double fudge sundaes we had to celebrate our combined success. Talk about yum!

Our efforts were worth it; it’s a good school, with a