The Boldest White
Publisher: Andersen Press
Faizah loves being part of the crowd at the mosque – it feels right. And she loves being part of the crowd at her fencing class – that feels right too.
She practises fencing at home with her older sister, Asiya, but in class when people watch her fence, she feels shy. Her mama says that bravery takes time to grow. So Faizah quietly practises at home.
Then, in class, Faizah realises that when she’s asked to demonstrate a move, the others are watching what she can do so that they can learn. If she’s helping them, she can be brave. Sometimes you need to be bold, for the right reasons.
The Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad and the author S. K. Ali have written this for everyone, but especially for the shy kids. The message that it’s fine to let bravery grow slowly is an important one to hear, as is the idea that sometimes it’s fine to stand out if you’re leading by example, or looking to help. Neither being shy nor standing out should be seen as a negative, which is a heartening message for every reader.
The joy of being part of a community is also celebrated in this beautifully illustrated book. A delight.
