Amina is a typical middle school girl in Milwaukee. She isn't comfortable speaking in front of groups and even though she has a beautiful voice refuses to sing for anyone. She becomes uncomfortable when her best friend Soojin decides to change her name to something more "American" when she becomes a citizen and doesn't like the fact that Emily is now their friend even though she has always been mean to them. To make matters worse her uncle is coming from Pakistan and they have to be on their best behavior for three months while he is visiting. Amina's life is a just a normal one until someone vandalizes the mosque they attend. This makes Amina rethink some of the things she has been doing. 

I really enjoyed the fact that even though this is a story about a Muslim girl in America it is really just a story about a girl in middle school dealing with all the things middle school girls have to deal with. Family expectations, friends changing, big brothers, and social changes are all universal in the lives of middle school kids. While the book talks about Amina's Muslim religion it is not the focus just like it is not the center of her life. It is just part of her life like it religion is a part of so many kids lives. I appreciated that fact and I think young readers will relate.