A Friendship Promise

by Ruby Moore, Umm Zakiyyah

Ruby Moore, better known as Umm Zakiyyah, internationally acclaimed author of the If I Should Speak trilogy, introduces readers to a new genre in her debut young adult story A Friendship Promise. Maryam, the main character of this short novel, is the daughter of strict Pakistani-American parents who decide to bend their rules to help a divorced American convert to Islam, whose free-spirited daughter Samira is in need of Muslim friends. Maryam, along with her African-American friend Latifah, tries to find common ground with Samira, but when Samira convinces Maryam to disobey their parents, Maryam is worried they may have gone too far.
Though written for young adults, the story is sure to captivate readers of all ages; and, like the inspirational novels for which the author is worldly renowned, the story promises to stay with readers long after the book is closed.

Genres: Young Adult

140 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sarah Salleh · Rating 5 out of 5]

when Allah loves someone, He tests them more than others!

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read my full detailed review of this book (and MANY more!) please go to my book blog @ https://sabrinareads365.blogspot.com/

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed reading a book with Muslim protagonists, this story just didn't work for me. Besides the constant undertone of judgement (she listens to music/wears colored hijabs/hangs pictures, so she's not a 'good Muslim'), which was very off-putting, the story jumped around. The climax of the story wasn't surprising or all that exciting. I fully agreed with one character when she told another that maybe she needs to learn Islam from someone other than her father (the whole family comes off as Wahabbi - all black, no music, no color, no pictures, no movies, no tv, and stringently hold that they are the ones practicing Islam "properly" and judging everyone else as "inferior Muslims").

Major plot holes exist - we go from the moms of two of the girls having an argument and never wanting to see each other again to it suddenly being two months later and they're sitting there, having tea and laughs. I really don't like when the plot develops off the page. Although the mom of one girl took her out of public school because of her behavior with a boy, she never talks to her daughter.

This is the primary flaw of this book: nobody communicates. Everyone keeps secrets and the parents, for the most part, are willingly blind when it comes to their daughters. You might enjoy it if you like a "more conservative" interpretation of Islam, but for anyone else, several of the characters just come off as very judgmental and "holier than thou".

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Great writing, and especially the characters were amazing. Although Umm Zakiyyah's other books were a bit better, this one was filled with great dialogue and plot!

[UmmSolodeen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was Ok, but I felt left out. Being familiar with the author's writing, I'm waiting for the sequel. But after I finished reading, only then did I realize that it was for 'young readers'. That was ok but it did not hold my interest as her other novel did.

[Rana Hatem · Rating 5 out of 5]

great aweeeee

[Heathermh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a YA book and I would recommend for YA. It was ok, not as enjoyable to me as the author's other work, but I am also not the target audience.

[Azkamalazka · Rating 4 out of 5]

so good!