Scan barcode
mdevlin923's review
3.0
Ahmed Aziz and his family have moved from Hawaii to Minnesota to gain access to top-notch medical treatment for his father and to be closer to family. Ahmed is not excited about the move, and reluctantly attends his new middle school. There, Ahmed deals with bullies, being in an all-white school, making new friends, and higher teacher expectations. But he grows closer to his family, learns about his deceased uncle, and learns that it is best to be true to oneself.
A great middle-grade story with a focus on multiple facets of middle-grade life: fitting in at school, teacher expectation, issues at home, bullying, etc. There was some authentic growth for Ahmed's character throughout the story.
A great middle-grade story with a focus on multiple facets of middle-grade life: fitting in at school, teacher expectation, issues at home, bullying, etc. There was some authentic growth for Ahmed's character throughout the story.
shirleytupperfreeman's review
In Hawaii, brown-skinned Ahmed fit in well and enjoyed his life of getting by with as little work possible. But then his father got sick and one of the best treatment options was available near the town in Minnesota where Ahmed's dad grew up. Ahmed, very reluctantly, makes the move with his family. Under pressure (he stands out, faces a bully, worries about his hospitalized father), Ahmed learns to fake it till he makes it. His helpers include a longtime family friend/teacher, some decent classmates, new knowledge of his dead uncle and three books that he eventually decides to read: Holes, Bridge to Terrabithia and From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. This is a fun and satisfying read that reminded me of John David Anderson's Posted. Will be published in June 2021
aeskare23's review
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
msghani's review
5.0
Ahmed's personality and gem of a voice are what drew me into this book from page one! We rarely get to see books with brown BOY Muslim representation, and I'm so glad this one will be available to readers in the summer. I thought it was unique that a big aspect of the plot revolved around a school literature assignment about other books! But Ahmed deals with so many of the same issues that I think all middle school kids deal with as they come of age. Highly recommend! Ahmed's sarcasm is to die for. But I also felt SO bad for him! I wanted to give him a hug the whole time!
**I was approved to read an early copy by the publisher on Edelweiss
**I was approved to read an early copy by the publisher on Edelweiss
jesstele's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
_zahra_'s review
5.0
Ahmed Aziz’s epic year was a wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed! I haven’t read middleschooler books for a while, but a Muslim boy as the main character? I had to read it…and it didn’t disappoint!
There are so many things I loved about it but one thing I could really relate with was moving countries and the conflicting emotions behind it. Ahmed is a Muslim boy so I loved how the book merged cultures and religions together.
It is a book with humour but also life lessons in it and is an enjoyable read for people who like “diary of a wimpy kid” and books like that!
It shows the problems of a teenage middle schooler going through bullying but also him being worried about his fathers sickness and it was all conveyed beautifully!
In the book, Ahmed reads “holes” and it was so cool to see him reading it because that was a book read to me and primary and it was cool to revisit it (and also realise how much I forgot about it).
I loved the English teacher (Mrs Gaarder) and though I pave a,ways had lovely English teachers I wish I could have her and compete against her!
In short, if you like middle school stories or feel like revisiting these kind of books..this is what you’ve got to read!
There are so many things I loved about it but one thing I could really relate with was moving countries and the conflicting emotions behind it. Ahmed is a Muslim boy so I loved how the book merged cultures and religions together.
It is a book with humour but also life lessons in it and is an enjoyable read for people who like “diary of a wimpy kid” and books like that!
It shows the problems of a teenage middle schooler going through bullying but also him being worried about his fathers sickness and it was all conveyed beautifully!
In the book, Ahmed reads “holes” and it was so cool to see him reading it because that was a book read to me and primary and it was cool to revisit it (and also realise how much I forgot about it).
I loved the English teacher (Mrs Gaarder) and though I pave a,ways had lovely English teachers I wish I could have her and compete against her!
In short, if you like middle school stories or feel like revisiting these kind of books..this is what you’ve got to read!
miszjeanie's review
4.0
Ahmed Aziz’s Epic Year is a realistic, moving middle grade coming-of-age story about moving to a new city, rediscovering your roots, and coping with parental illness. This book is perfect for fans of funny books with inventive teachers and stories about being the new kid. If you like books with Muslim protagonists, sweet sibling relationships, and stories centered around books and libraries, you’ll enjoy this one.
Read my full review on my blog.
Read my full review on my blog.
library_ann's review against another edition
3.0
Not a review but a jumble of thoughts....
I was frustrated at the beginning of this book, because it has a sick parent and a bully, and I feel like I keep reading books with these themes. But it got better, especially as Ahmed settled in to his new school and made friends.
And that police interview Ahmed had to suffer through is illustration enough of why you should always ask for a lawyer when you're being interrogated.
Somehow I never read any of the books they discussed in Mrs. Gaarder's class. Well, [b:Holes|38709|Holes (Holes, #1)|Louis Sachar|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618269830l/38709._SX50_.jpg|1679789] didn't exist until well after my high school graduation, but I should have been the prime target for [b:From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|3980|From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|E.L. Konigsburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327784751l/3980._SY75_.jpg|1384549] and [b:Bridge to Terabithia|40940121|Bridge to Terabithia|Katherine Paterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532478367l/40940121._SY75_.jpg|2237401].
I was frustrated at the beginning of this book, because it has a sick parent and a bully, and I feel like I keep reading books with these themes. But it got better, especially as Ahmed settled in to his new school and made friends.
And that police interview Ahmed had to suffer through is illustration enough of why you should always ask for a lawyer when you're being interrogated.
Somehow I never read any of the books they discussed in Mrs. Gaarder's class. Well, [b:Holes|38709|Holes (Holes, #1)|Louis Sachar|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1618269830l/38709._SX50_.jpg|1679789] didn't exist until well after my high school graduation, but I should have been the prime target for [b:From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|3980|From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler|E.L. Konigsburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327784751l/3980._SY75_.jpg|1384549] and [b:Bridge to Terabithia|40940121|Bridge to Terabithia|Katherine Paterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532478367l/40940121._SY75_.jpg|2237401].
ashleyreadsanything's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wombat_88's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0