From beloved middle grade author Saadia Faruqi comes a poignant exploration of the impact of mental illness on families—and the love and hope that it takes to begin telling a different tale.
Mo is used to his father’s fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house, Mo is safe inside his head, with his cherished folktales: The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently, his mama knows that too—which is why she took a job on the other side of the world, leaving Mo alone with Abbu.
With Mama gone, the two move to Texas to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin, Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a “bad kid." Still, there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he’d expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo.
But even in a warm home and school where he begins to see a future for himself, Mo knows that the monster within his father can break out and destroy their fragile peace at any moment…---from the publisher
384 pages 978-0063115859 Ages 8-12
Keywords: father/son, mental illness, schizophrenia, love, family life, relatives, moving, new experiences, hope, dealing with fears, dealing with anxiety, hope, Muslims, diverse books, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old
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“Schizophrenia is a type of mental illness whose symptoms usually occur in phases. In the active stage, your symptoms are most noticeable. You may see or hear things that don’t exist or have beliefs that aren’t based in reality. You may have trouble thinking and speaking clearly.”
– Web MD, “Understanding Schizophrenia” (2024)
“All day
Starin' at the ceiling', making
Friends with shadows on my wall
All night
Hearing' voices telling' me
That I should get some sleep
Because tomorrow might be good for somethin'
Hold on
Feelin' like I'm headed for a
Breakdown
And I don't know why
But I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell
I know right now you can't tell
But stay awhile and maybe then you'll see
A different side of me
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little impaired
I know right now you don't care
But soon enough you're gonna think of me
And how I used to be”
– Rob Thomas (2002)
There are any number of children’s books that feature screwed-up and/or evil parents who serve as significant impediments in the lives of young, main characters. But there are few such stories–particularly tales for middle graders and tweens–that so vividly illustrate the parent’s problems as well as THE STRONGEST HEART. Sadly, Saadia Faruqi’s own childhood experiences fuel these stellar depictions of a father with paranoid schizophrenia, along with an emotionally and physically absent mother.
“Finally, I get comfortable enough–barely. Take a few deep breaths to bring my heart rate down.
And then I paint.
Well, it’s more like stabbing the canvas with darkness, but it’s also painting in a raw, wild way. Like, pouring all my hurt and anger and hopelessness onto the canvas in front of me.
One brushstroke for all the things in my life that are unfair, like how I had to move across the country, and share a room with someone, and share oxygen with stupid bullies like Frankie.
One brushstroke for Abbu. The biggest, darkest, ugliest stroke.
When I finish, I realize I’m sweating. The canvas lies in front of me like a thing that’s been torn apart with claws and fury. The paint lines are jagged. Raw.
Look, I know it’s not perfect. The art museum’s not gonna knock on my door anytime soon. I have no technique and I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve used up too much paint on half of the canvas and too little on the other half.
But it’s done, and it’s mine, and it’s as ugly as my feelings, so that’s something. It’s like looking into a mirror, but seeing your insides instead of your face.
Everything exposed, finally,
Scary, but also good, you know?”
Meet middle schooler Mo (technically Mohammad), who has just traveled with his father from New York City to Houston. His father (Abbu) is so messed up that he can’t hold down a job, no less be a demonstratively loving parent. Mo and Abbu are now going to live with Abbu’s sister Naila Phupo, and her son Rayyan, who is the same age as Mo. Mo’s mom, a heralded scientist, is halfway around the globe, helping to save the world. Mo occasionally gets to have a brief Saturday afternoon Zoom session with her.
And what’s with this bully, Frankie, who is constantly messing with Rayyan and causing Mo problems at his new school? Mo repeatedly wears himself out with his makeshift punching bag and boxing gloves, avoiding–or at least postponing–a showdown with Frankie.
Fortunately, Mo has caring adults to rely on. Foremost is his newly-discovered aunt–Abbu’s sister–who is a gem. An old neighbor in New York, (another) new relation in Texas, and a school librarian who cares, help make the horrific circumstances bearable, and permit Mo to actually succeed in his studies and avoid detonating.
Mo has also embraced a wealth of instructive, traditional folk tales that play a role in his survival (and enrich the story).
A significant, notable title for the new year, THE STRONGEST HEART is a powerful, engaging, and enlightening read.
Recommended by: Richie Partington, MLIS, California USA
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