Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
Dial Books / Penguin Random House
Publication Date: November 23, 2021
ISBN-13: 9780593324318
Just before Huda starts high school, her family moves to a new town. Although it is exciting to be somewhere with so many other Muslims, she soon realizes that being “The Only Hijabi” is not actually a personality, and she spirals into an identity crisis. On top of it all, the one thing she used to be able to rely on, meeting her parents’ expectations around grades, is moving out of reach due to a teacher who treats the Muslim kids differently and assigns racist essay topics.
Huda F Are You? is a universal story about figuring out who you are and what is important to you. It is also the very specific story of a young hijabi student in Dearborn, MI. The tone of the book is matter-of-fact and hilarious. As a creator who got her start making Instagram comics, Huda Fahmy delivers regular punchlines, which she deftly weaves into an overarching plot. The humor is supported by the impressive range of emotions she captures with her clean lines, including a finely nuanced set of cringes.
This book will find an audience with anyone who feels like an outsider or who struggles with the weight of parental expectations. Hand Huda F Are You? to fans of humourous coming-of-age graphic memoirs and teens who enjoy the self-deprecating humor of Netflix’s Never Have I Ever and the earnest realism of Raina Telgemeier.
—Jean Broughton
Other Nominated Titles:
- Flung out of Space: Inspired by the Indecent Adventures of Patricia Highsmith by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer (April 19, 2022)
- Hell Phone, vol. 1 by Benji Nate (March 9, 2022)
- The All-Nighter by Chip Zdarsky and Jason Loo (March 15, 2022)
- Silk, vol. 1: Threats and Menaces by Maurene Goo and Takeshi Miyazawa (November 23, 2021)
- Came the Mirror and Other Tales by Rumiko Takahashi (February 15, 2022)
- Young Men in Love: A Queer Romance Anthology by Joe Glass and Matt Minor (July 19, 2022)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
