From Somalia with Love

by Na'ima B. Robert

Safia Dirie is a teenage girl living in East London with her mother, Hoyo, and two older brothers, Ahmed and Abdullahi. Though she was born in Somalia, she doesn’t really remember it — Safia’s a London girl, through and through. But now, after 12 long years, her father, Abo, has returned to the family from war-torn Mogadishu. Safia knew things would change, but nothing could have prepared her for the reality of dealing with Abo’s cultural expectations. Or that Ahmed, her favorite brother, would start to run wild. And she herself certainly didn’t expect to find her cousin Firdous’ party-girl lifestyle so tempting. Safia must come to terms with who she is — as a Muslim, as a teenager, as a poet, as a friend, but most of all, as a daughter to a father she’s never known. Rooted in Somali and Muslim life, this poignant and beautifully written novel about one girl’s quest to find her own place in the world strikes a chord with young readers everywhere.

Genres: Africa, Young Adult, Somalia, Fiction, Islam, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 28, 2008

About the author

Na’ima B Robert is descended from Scottish Highlanders on her father's side and the Zulu people on her mother's side. She was born in Leeds, grew up in Zimbabwe and went to university in London. At high school, her loves included performing arts, public speaking and writing stories that shocked her teachers.
Her popular 'From my sisters' lips' explored the reality of living as a Muslim woman in the West. She has written several multicultural books for children, including 'The Swirling Hijaab', 'Going to Mecca' and 'Ramadan Moon'. She is also the author of the teen novels 'From Somalia, with love', 'Boy vs Girl', 'Black Sheep' and the award-winning 'Far from Home', a historical novel set in Zimbabwe. Her cult classic 'She Wore Red Trainers' pioneered the 'halal romance novel' genre. She divides her time between London and Yorkshire and dreams of living on a farm with her own horses. Until then, she is happy to keep telling untold stories, calling for increased representation in children's books and mentoring other aspiring Muslim writers with her writing groups and programmes.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think everyone can relate to Safia in this story. She deals with friend and family struggles, she starts to somewhat question her Muslim practices, and she lives the life of a normal teen.

After reading this, I have a new respect for Islam religion and Somali culture. They almost seemed to intertwine and it was hard to differentiate, but reading about Safia's life and hardships helped to relate to her and other Muslims. Their prayer rituals really intrigued me, and I like hearing about her viewpoint on hijabs. But it was her devotion to Allah that I really loved. It was a completely different perspective, especially when she is at a movie theater with a boy and feels so bad, she walks out. That is such an astounding dedication to me, and it is truly inspiring.

I thought this book had a great (although somewhat questionable for children) climax and shared some great lessons.

My favorite part is when she says, "And I thought about Firdous: the escape she had offered, how she had seemed to have everything, how I had yearned for just a taste of what she had-and how bitter it had turned out to be."

We all sometimes desire lifestyles and belongings of others, but when you experience what they have, it's never as great as you thought it would be. To me, this is a great lesson to be thankful for what you have.

[W.B. Abdullah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm kind of disappointed with this book, but I think, maybe I would have enjoyed it more when I was 16 and grappling with the same issues. It is, after all, a young adult book. That being said, it's refreshing as an Islamic alternative to the usual teenage chick-lit in secular stores. It's a good pick for mothers looking to teach their hormone-charged half-children half-women to have pride in their faith. It's a solid book for Muslim youth grappling with identity (and boy!) issues. Safia is a very strong protagonist who could be a sort of role model for young Muslim girls straddling the cultural tensions between Islamic and non-Islamic cultures. Though she tries to take a walk on the wild side, Safia can’t shake wear she comes from. Na’ima B. is non-preachy style, using Safia as the teaching tool for Islamic morals without brow-beating readers. Being a Muslim teenager in the West is normalized. The only hiccups for young American readers may be the British slang and Somali words used, but there’s a glossary in the back. With enough drama to hold a teenager’s interest and get my heart racing as well, From Somalia, With Love is a good read for the young adult in your life.

[Michelle (Fluttering Butterflies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awhile back, I read a few reviews of From Somalia, With Love and thought 'that sounds like a book I'd like to read' and promptly forgot about it. So I was absolutely thrilled earlier this year when Frances Lincoln offered to send me copies of both this and Na'ima B. Robert's latest book Boy vs Girl.

From Somalia, With Love is a really gentle and lovely story of a girl who's trying to find her place in the world. Safia left Somalia when she was very young and remembers little about it. Home is in London with her mother and her two older brothers. She still struggles with fitting in, wearing hijab and writing poetry, finding that balance between Somalian and Islamic cultures and finding the right place living in England. And everything is made more of a struggle, when her father, Abo comes to live with them after 12 years apart in Somalia.

Safia admits herself, that in some ways she feels a lot older than 14 with the amount of responsibility she has at home and in other ways she feels a lot younger than other girls her age because of her lack of experience. I loved the innocence of Safia as she deals with all the changes in her life. Her mom, Hoyo, directs all of her attention on Safia's dad. Her brothers are always arguing. Her favourite brother Ahmed doesn't see eye-to-eye with Abo. Safia begins a relationship with a cousin who has given up the hijab and has been passed between family members with the vague rumours of bad behaviour. Where does Safia fit in? And how are the broken pieces of her family going to come together again?

What I loved most about From Somalia, With Love is how much I was able to relate to Safia's character. She isn't sure of her position in the family after Abo's return and with that uncertainty, she begins to make decisions that are possibly not the best choices for her. I completely and utterly relate to this lack of stability causing a change in normal behaviour. Safia is really torn between this conflict with her parents and Ahmed and things just aren't right in her world until everyone is home and safe.

The most fascinating aspect of this book is this glimpse into what it's like to be a Somalian British Muslim teenager living in London. I think it's absolutely wonderful that Na'ima B. Robert is able to give a voice to a large minority group. There's a particular scene that really moved me. Safia is at a bus station, waiting for her cousin and she walks past a group of Asian teenage girls wearing hijab when a group of teenage boys come along and start harassing them for what they're wearing. One girl stands up to them only for the boy to spit in her face, and a woman witnessing this scene mutters something along the lines of 'that girl deserves it wearing that.' But mixed in with everything are all these great details of what it's like to be a Muslim girl, with the praying and the customs and Arabic greetings. It paints a very vivid picture.

The book is quite slim, and it's really only Safia that we come to see developing in any way apart from a more detailed description of Abo towards the end of the book. I would have liked to have heard more of the experiences of Safia's brothers or mother. But all in all, a wonderful little book. A gentle story of growing up and fitting in and of family.

[Kricket · Rating 1 out of 5]

the premise is so great: safia escaped war torn somalia with her mother and two older brothers before she was old enough to have memories. her father was thought dead. safia is 14 when her family learns that abo is alive and coming to join them in east london.

unfortunately, the characters are one-dimensional stereotypes and the writing is dreadful. the characters are punished bitterly by life every time they disobey their parents or push the rules; muslims are taunted on the street for wearing hijab, but everything is resolved quickly and perfectly by obeying parents and praying. the author uses somali terms throughout, some of which she forgot to include in the glossary in the back. ugh, ugh, ugha.

[Moushumi Ghosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was curious about how Muslim girls in Britain are growing up ever since those three British Muslim school girls ran away to join ISIS. This book though is about growing up without a father and then adjusting to him when he gets back. It's more a tale about how not to fall off the straight and narrow path as a good Muslim girl. I am glad that such books are being written even though I am not the intended audience.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Review: From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up–Safia has grown up believing her father died in the fighting in Somalia. When she finds out that he is alive and on his way to London to join the family, she is apprehensive about the difference his presence will make in her life. Though she is comfortable with her identity as a Muslim, she struggles with how her values differ from those of her rebellious brother and cousin. Her father is not prepared for his family's hybrid British-Somali culture, which causes a great deal of conflict. Safia must learn to cope with the new dynamics in her home and learn to love a father she has never known. At times, the author's intent of creating a window into Somali culture and the immigrant experience is a bit heavy-handed. The book does do a good job of showing the richness of Somali culture as something positive and separate from the war that has torn the country apart for decades. This is a unique title that will be popular in regions that have large Somali populations or where Randa Abdel-Fattah's books are popular. A glossary of Arabic and Somali words and phrases is included, but it is unclear from which language each one comes.–Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved
Recommend: I wouldn't recommend the book

Notes: Hard to read and very uneventful story line

[Ubalstecha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safia Darie is a 14 years old Londener. She is also an immigrant and a Somali Muslim. For 12 years, she has been living in a council estate with her mom and two brothers. Then the family receives word that Safia's father is alive and is about to reunite with them in England.

This news sends Safia into a tailspin. She worries how her father will react to the Westernized society his children are living in, how he will react to her wild brother Ahmed, and more importantly, how he will react to her. Her worst fears seem to become realized upon her father's arrival. Her mother has no time for her, her father expects her to wait on him hand and foot and Safia finds herself attracted to her cousin Firdous' westernized lifestyle.

Author Na'ima B. Robert has created nice novel about the struggles that many immigrant groups go through. It may be a little too "moral tale" at times, but that is not uncommon in this genre so you can't fault her for it. Robert treats her subject with respect and shows how immigration affects families and cultures. A good book for all teachers and libraries to pick up.

[Amaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a well written book and I do see a lot of my younger self in Safia, as an only daughter as the youngest, in a lot of ways actually, even in her keen interest for poetry. I deeply resonate with her journey of finding herself as she deals with peer pressure, loneliness and a longing for acceptance. It was a good read.

[Yaxye Abokor]

I am Somali I want your book to read

[Kyle Turck · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Somalia with Love is a very well-written coming of age story that centers around a teenage Somalian girl named Safia who lives with her mother and siblings in London, who's world is thrown upside-down when her assumed-to-be-dead father arrives after a 12-year absence. This book takes a very common "girl growing up and finding out who she really is" story, but since it is coming from the seldom seen perspective of a Somali Muslim refugee, it gives the book some very nice added depth.

I would recommend this book to a slightly older school crowd, maybe sticking with the middle school grades as a good starting point. While there isn't much that is considered racy in the story, it does deal with some issues that might not be suitable for the elementary ages, so I would say 6th grade and higher for this one. Still a very good read, definitely opens up your eyes to respect some different cultures.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting peek into the daily life of a Somali Muslim teenager.

Safia has been raised in England, and lives with her mother and two older brothers. Out of the blue, she finds out that her father, who has been in Somalia, is finally coming to rejoin the family.

With the arrival of her father, the family dynamics are suddenly upside down. While Safia wants to support her mother's happiness, she feels left out and unsure of her place, especially after her favorite brother clashes with her father and runs away from home.

Safia's choices lead her to a dangerous situation. This is the part of the story that lost me, as there was some overt victim blaming. The resolution that followed was vaguely satisfying, but just didn't resonate with me. Of course, I'm an atheist, so I bring a lot of skepticism to stories where faith wins out.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girl I know from homework volunteering liked this book, so I thought I'd check it out. Safia's conflict between Somali culture and modern London culture was worth exploring, but resolved in an easy and pat way. I felt like the author was limited to 150 pages and set everything up to resolve in the quickest way possible. Maybe a series of books about a girl like Safia would work better, but I'm not sure that publishers are clamoring for books about Somalia girls (although I know a few Somali girls who are).

If you read this, there's a glossary in the back. I didn't know that when I read it. I figured out the terms through context clues, but it would have been nice to know. But it's in the back, so I didn't know until I read the whole thing.

[Sandra Y. · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Somalia with Love is a coming of age story that centers around a teenage Somalian girl named Safia who lives with her mother and two older brothers in London, who's world is thrown upside-down when her assumed-to-be-dead father arrives after a 12-year absence. I found this book extremely relatable as Safia battle between her upbringing and expectations as a Somali Muslim, and the world around her- who hasn't had this problem in one way or another throughout their lives. Additionally I enjoyed learning a little about the Somali Muslim culture. I would recommend this book for sixth grade and up due to some of the heavier topic addressed within the text.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safia Dirie describes herself as “a Muslim, Somali, British girl”. She lives in Tower Hamlets with her Mum and two older brothers and has no memory of the home in Mogadishu she left behind when she was only two years old. Having heard nothing from Safia’s father in 12 years, the family assumed that he had perished in the civil war along with countless other innocent victims. Yet against the odds, word gets through that he is safe and well and coming to rejoin the family in Tower Hamlets. But Safia is concerned. What is he expecting to find when he arrives? What will he make of his Westernised family? And will his long lost children be a source of pride or shame?

[Salsabrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as I know there is a dearth of youth fiction depicting the Somalian immigrant experience, so this is a welcome find. Safia is 14 and her family lives in the projects (or estates) of London. After 12 years, the family is reunited with her long-lost Abo (father) and his re-inclusion in their lives shifts the family dynamic. Safia questions her role in the family and the trajectory of her life, and turns to cousin Firdous, the family bad girl, as a confidant. The characters and narrative could use a substantial fleshing out for a more complete story, but as a contribution to the field this is a good pick.

[Mckenzie Quade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know much about the Somalian culture so this book was of great interest to me. It made me want to look up and research more about their culture. I believe that we should teach children about racism and new cultures other than their own in the classroom at a young age so I would like to have many diverse books in my classroom in the future. This book gave great insight into the Somalian culture. It was also beneficial to have a glossary in the back of the book for terminology that some people would not be familiar with.

[Erin Sterling · Rating 3 out of 5]

14-year-old Samia is a British Somalian Muslim teenager, trying to come to terms with her identity and how life will change when her father returns home, a father she has not seen in 10 years and was presumed dead for a long time. What I loved about the book was the honest perspective and the interweaving of Somalian Muslim phrases and the challenges and rewards of being Somalian and Muslim. However, at the same time, the writing at times felt a bit forced.

[Starsha Vang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about a girl discovering herself. She is going through so many different things as a teenage muslim girl. In this book she is trying to find the way of life that works best for her. She wants to have the best life possible even with all of the challenges she faces. This is a good book for someone to read who is going through life choices or someone who would like to see a little more into the muslim life style.

[Samra Said · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understand it is intended for teenagers but I was really hoping for much more - it is funny though and I do think it is reliable source of information for anyone that wants to know how it's like to live as a Somali Muslim teenage girl in inner city London - so teenagers will for sure relate to Safia Dirie

[Madison Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a great story, and was very interesting. I would not require it for students under the age of 7th grade, just because there are some things in there that could put ideas into children's minds. I would for sure have this in my classroom if I was teaching older grades, but not so much k-6.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This feels like a forced and abbreviated attempt at dealing with immigration of the Somali people
in England. I had to read it for a class for my Masters in Education. Not genuine at all and somewhat insincere.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy read which I went through in just 2 days. The story was really catchy as the main character was believable & likable, and it was interesting as I know little about the Somali culture & the Islam religion.

[David Hilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful, this little book takes the reader inside the world of a Somalian teenager growing up in London. It has some depth in terms of cultural tidbits that I learned from, but mostly it is a puff piece aimed for a young audience. I think many teens will like it. I did. Easy and interesting.

[Maria Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into a culture I needed to learn more about! This book is a true insight into the experiences many of our centra MN Somali students are living on a daily basis. It's a small book--quick to read!

[Tashie]

Just be yourself dnt follow others. Dont always keep everything inside express your self allow your self to be heard

[Waseela · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Yaasir · Rating 3 out of 5]

I THINK SOMALI LOVE IS DOES NT MAKE SINCE BECAUSE MUST OF SOMALI LOVERS DID NT RESPECT THE EMOTION OF FEELING HEART OF LOVE

[Iimaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book almost made me cry. It was very relatable and would love to read more Somali fiction books.

[Bara'ah Iversen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Na'ima for this great book!

[Shawna Vanhoorik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for tweens or early teen girls. Introduces diversity and family dynamics that many girls face regardless of ethnic background.