MY PERFECT FAMILY by Khadijah VanBrakle
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I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this review.
The publisher’s summary
Sixteen-year-old Leena has always wished for a big family… but when she discovers she has a Muslim grandfather and aunt she never knew, she learns that family comes with tangled histories she may not be able to heal.
“Lonely Leena” is close with her young single mother. Still, she’s always secretly dreamed of more (and, when she was a kid, asked Santa for it). A huge family to cheer her on at graduation. A gaggle of smiling faces at the holidays. But one call from the hospital, and her mother’s hidden past comes to light: Her grandfather is in the ER, and her aunt is with him in recovery. Sorry—her WHO?
But with family comes family secrets—Leena’s mom’s, and as Leena grows close with her new family behind her mother’s back, her own. Leena’s mom warns that Leena’s grandfather Tariq’s financial generosity doesn’t come without strings attached… like Leena converting to Islam, fighting for a spot at a top university, and adhering to the restrictive rules that she ran from all those years ago. Leena isn’t sure who to trust, yet she’s certain that she adores Tariq and her mom—and that she’s the only one who could heal old hurts. After so many years, is it even possible? And if she can’t, will she have to choose between them?
A big family was the dream, but all this drama isn’t.
Warm, witty, and sometimes serious, My Perfect Family is a poignant intergenerational narrative that gives voice to Black Muslim women. A thoughtful examination of the intersection between gender and religion, Khadijah VanBrakle’s sophomore novel is a heartfelt tale of forging one’s own path… while loving those who stay by your side.
My recommendation
VanBrakle embraces the beautiful imperfections of family relationships, faith exploration, and teenage aspirations in a moving contemporary drama with no easy answers. Standout moments include the protagonist’s realization that all of the adults in her life are acting badly–that neither side is completely right (or completely wrong). The protagonist’s determination to carve her own path in the truest, most loving way is the glue that holds each element of this complex narrative in precarious balance. I highly recommend this title for YA Contemporary collections. (Note: This novel features Black American Muslim representation, drawn from the author’s lived experience.)
Susan the Librarian 