During Ramadan, families are not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset for a whole month. When you add an exercise-obsessed mom, a no-dating rule, ...
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Sep 18, 2011
Steven
rated it: 
I just finished reading this book and loved it!
I felt it was very humorous, at the same time that it explored a complex subject matter. I also truly appreciate books with diverse characters and applaud both the author and the publisher for releasing a novel that strays from what most mainstream publishers would consider marketable.
The heroine, 15 Year-old Almira Abdul, faces issues that teenagers of many cultures and sexual orientations can relate to, including trying to More...
I felt it was very humorous, at the same time that it explored a complex subject matter. I also truly appreciate books with diverse characters and applaud both the author and the publisher for releasing a novel that strays from what most mainstream publishers would consider marketable.
The heroine, 15 Year-old Almira Abdul, faces issues that teenagers of many cultures and sexual orientations can relate to, including trying to More...
Aug 12, 2011
Sara
rated it: 
Bestest. Ramadan. Ever by Medeia Sharif follows Almira a Muslim girl who is trying to have her first successful Ramadan fast. The members of Almira's family differ in how devout they are from her grandfather disapproving of anything American to Almira herself who appreciates her heritage but also wants to be able to have a boyfriend and wear makeup. The story follows Almira through her month of Ramadan while she tries to balance her families traditions with the American lifestyle that her frie
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Aug 18, 2011
Heidi
rated it: 
3.5 stars. Fifteen-year-old Almira didn't get through Ramadan last year without cheating. Her parents were disappointed, her grandfather berated her, and Almira felt humiliated. This year she vows to stick to the fast from sunup to sundown. As the story follows Almira through the month of Ramadan, we learn that while her parents seem modern and "cool," they actually follow traditional Muslim beliefs; these beliefs come across as limits on Almira such as no dating, no picutres of te
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Aug 13, 2011
Kimberly
rated it:
Almira Abdul is trying her best to honor Ramadan, an entire month where she is not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. While her family is not overly religious, she has only been to a mosque twice, she feels that it's a good challenge for her. And she thinks she can stand to lose a couple pounds. What happens though is more than just food temptation! Her crush Peter starts noticing her at the same time her best friend starts noticing him! And while her traditional grandfather is teaching her
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Oct 30, 2011
Brent
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I’ve been on the lookout. I’ve been on the lookout for books with Muslim protagonists, and I haven’t been able to find that many. (But maybe I’m looking in all the wrong places? I don’t know.) But one day, I stumbled across a blog, and it was the blog of a writer named Medeia Sharif. After a little clicking around, I found out that she had a book coming out titled BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER. and you can guess the rest. I was thrilled to have found something with a Muslim protag. And the fact that th
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Sep 08, 2011
Jill
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Almira is 15 and is trying to complete her first Ramadan fast. You see, she failed last year, when her traditional grandfather spotted chocolate cookie crumbs on her glossed lips. So she is truly making an effort this year. She and her best friend, Lisa, happen to like the same boy, Peter. Lisa is truly obsessive about him whereas Almira keeps her thoughts to herself. Almira knows because of her Muslim religion she can't have a boyfriend. But that doesn't stop her from daydreaming about a
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Feb 02, 2012
This book was a really funny and dramatic book. But their are situations throughout the book. The main character cannot fast. Yet she has to because she is old and it is her duty to fats as a muslim. But Her mother and father refuse her to date but she really likes this boy named peter. But the problem is that Her best friend also likes peter. And theres this new Muslim ggirl in school who struts around in short school trying to get everyones attention including Peter. The main characters mom is
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Dec 16, 2011
Alissa
rated it:
I think we can all identify with Almira, the heroine of Bestest. Ramadan. Ever. She's smart, insecure and her parents just don't understand her. Her accident-prone grandfather is teaching her to drive, she has a crush on the same boy as her best friend and she doesn't understand why the new girl at school is so mean to her. As if all this wasn't enough, she's trying to make it through her first Ramadan without cheating on her fast. Muslim teens will appreciate Almira's difficulties in trying to
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Jul 23, 2011
Margo
rated it:
Hello Judy Blume - I didn't know you wrote about Muslim girls struggling to fit into American culture - with an addition of a little Latino culture just for fun - but this sure reminds me of your classics, and I really REALLY got a chuckle when your main character, 15 year old Almira, says she's writing her book report on "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."
I've thankfully survived the throes of American high school, but this was an amusing revisit, dredging up a ton o More...
I've thankfully survived the throes of American high school, but this was an amusing revisit, dredging up a ton o More...
Dec 27, 2011
Rachael
rated it:
This book called out to me from the stacks at the library because I can semi-relate. My sister spent her high school years dealing with many of the same issues as Almira (the main character). I would recommend this book to Muslim girls and non-Muslim girls alike. I think it would be a great read for Muslim girls to not feel alone. I also feel like it would be a great read for an American teenager who is not Muslim and might like to know a little more about what it means to be Muslim-American.
Jan 26, 2012
Sharif's teenage heroine, Almira, is such a teenager, obsessed with pop culture, driving, and especially boys. The voice in this novel was flat out perfect: funny, clueless, yet totally heartfelt and true. As the title suggests, the book takes place over Ramadan, the first time Almira has ever observed the month-long fast. So even though it's a novel about a typical teenager, it's interspersed with reflections on discipline, religion, family, and what it means to be a 21st century American Musli
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Sep 16, 2011
Amy
rated it:
I had wanted to read this during Ramadan, but I'm a bit late. The main character is a bit self-centered and vain, but she definitely grows up throughout the book. I did learn some things about the Muslim religion, and it's always good to read about other cultures.
Dec 31, 2011
Shelley
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I flew through this book (and I'm generally a slow reader, so that says something!) Sharif writes in an amazingly authentic teenage voice. I really felt as if I knew Amira and truly rooted for her throughout everything she faced during Ramadan. Excellent book!
Jan 20, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
Almira decides, for the first time, to observe Ramadan with her family. She is one of the few Muslims at her fancy school in a fancy area in Miami which makes things like school lunch complicated. Most of Almira's friends are Hispanic but she is in love with a blonde artsy type. Almira's family is very modern in many ways, but they forbid dating of any kind. In the process, Almira has difficulty with school, Peter the Blond Arty Type, her friends, her parents and her grandpa. A lot of her di
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Nov 10, 2011
Lindsay
rated it: 
I really wanted this to be a good book. I initially entered to win it via First Reads, but I didn't get it, so I was delighted to find it at my local library. I was so excited to read YA about a Muslim girl.
I was disappointed. I've seen this plot before---all of it. The unique aspect of Almira's Muslim life could have played a much more prominent role, but it didn't. The scenes I liked best were the ones where Almira tried to engage her family and her own religious beliefs with her lif More...
I was disappointed. I've seen this plot before---all of it. The unique aspect of Almira's Muslim life could have played a much more prominent role, but it didn't. The scenes I liked best were the ones where Almira tried to engage her family and her own religious beliefs with her lif More...
Jan 17, 2012
Susan
rated it:
It was fascinating to learn about Almira's culture and the problems she faces being Muslim and American. She's such a likable character and I was rooting for her the whole time!
Aug 04, 2011
Ifrah
rated it:
So this book was really good as a first time author debut. The character Almira seems like a very real person and a fun friend. The plot and story was very well-written. There are not many Muslim teen books and I definitely think that there should be more! If you like this and you should, then you should def check out "Ten Things I Hate About Me" and "Does This Make My Head Look Big?" Bravo to the author!
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Dec 26, 2011
Pamela
rated it:
excellent portrayal of cultures in clash. delivered all that was promised. great coming of age in diverse modern (US) America.
Jan 03, 2011
This book sounds great. The whole Ramadan theme, Muslim girl self-discovery--it all sounds right up my alley!
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May 18, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
full review will be published elsewhere...but this one is a mixed bag
Feb 14, 2012
Zeinab
rated it: 
What a disappointing YA book. The plot is not original..it may even be nonexistent. The book lacks characterization..and not just when it comes to the main character. As for the main character, she is passive and shallow. The only part of this book I enjoyed was the irony in the main character calling someone else shallow.
Aug 20, 2011
Sharon
rated it:
I really liked this book! Not only was I entertained, but I learned a lot about the Muslim culture. Medeia did a great job showing all the different personalities of each character. LOL, I loved the grandpa. I'm passing my copy along to my teen.
Jul 25, 2011
Ezzy
rated it:
A light and humorous glimpse into the life and times of a modern Muslim-American teenage girl. Almira's got the right combination or naivete, snark and intelligence to keep readers entertained.
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Oct 21, 2011
Jolene
rated it:
Simply said - this was a cute fun read with enough quirkiness and reality to keep me reading.
VERY authentic teen voice - love that Almira.
LOADS of awkward situations.
AND a fun guy :D
VERY authentic teen voice - love that Almira.
LOADS of awkward situations.
AND a fun guy :D
Aug 28, 2011
Zareen
rated it:
With a bit of tweaking, this book could totally be my life story. I'm so glad I got a chance to read it, and during Ramadan too!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
Jul 24, 2011
Terry
rated it:
Touching and funny and educational. Really brought me back to my own high school problems and concerns. Ms. Sharif is a modern day Judy Blume!
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