Odd Girl Out

15-year-old Maaryah has moved to Essex from Dubai following her parents divorce. Now living with her mum, she’s had to leave everything behind; a luxurious lifestyle, her school, her oldest friends - and her dad. Her British-Bengali family are there to support her, but she suspects that they know a lot more about why her parents have split up than they are telling her.

When Maaryah begins to attend a new school and finds that she is the only hijab-wearer there, she is subjected to some vicious racial, physical and verbal abuse. For the first time in her life, she is experiencing Islamophobia. As her life starts to deteriorate, she falls out with her mother and makes a desperate journey back to Dubai to see the father she is sure will sort out all of her problems - only to discover the true reason behind her parents' divorce.

Well written and extremely thought provoking, Odd Girl Out is an insight into family life and the importance of good friends. Maaryah's British relations are multi-generational and bilingual. She wants to be herself, but also wants to fit in. This struggle is dealt with particularly well by the author - how can Maaryah be like her friends and still adhere to her faith and her beliefs? The conclusion to the novel is satisfying and positive, and Maaryah's future life in England seems to be encouragingly optimistic. 

Maaryah is such a complex and interesting character, funny and spirited, and I found myself rooting for her the whole way through the novel, especially when she finally faces her chief tormentor at school. The racism she faces makes for unpleasant reading, but it is an integral part of the story.

The book could open up some interesting discussions about racial differences. Social media, in various forms, also forms a large part of the novel, and we see its positives - Maaryah uses it to keep in touch with her friends in Dubai - but we also see its negatives; it can be misinterpreted, and once something is posted online, the effects can be devastating. Again, this could open up interesting group debates. 

This is an important novel, not just for Muslim teenagers, who will enjoy seeing themselves portrayed so strongly, but also by non-Muslim readers who will hopefully sympathise with Maaryah's trials and respect Muslim beliefs a little more. Highly recommended.

368 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+

15-year-old Maaryah is a fish out of water, plucked from a life of wealth and luxury in Dubai and thrown into a state secondary in Essex. Already reeling from the unfathomable breakdown of her parents' marriage and the lifestyle shift it has necessitated, she is soon navigating a new school, friendships and the difficulty of maintaining her religion in an alien environment.

Worse is to come when she is singled out for racist bullying and school life becomes a daily battle. Fleeing briefly back to Dubai Maaryah soon uncovers a family secret and learns the reason for her family breakdown.

Odd Girl Out touches on a lot of serious/topical issues, not least race and privilege. Maaryah's large extended family help her assimilate into her new life but also make her aware of her own prejudices and privilege. This balance and Maaryah's background help flesh out what might otherwise be a more familiar immigrant story.

Whilst Maaryah's resolve and spirit are defining parts of her character, she latterly realises how fortunate she is in so many ways and recognises that many of her classmates (including those who have made her life a misery) are not so lucky. Boys, parties, fashion and music are all in the mix in this involving story and there is much to debate and think about after reading.

Perfect for fans of Faridah Àbiké-Íyímídé and Ayaan Mohamud.

368 pages / Reviewed by Clare Wilkins, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+