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angst_and_alliteration's review
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
gallagirlreads's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
lawbooks600's review
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Score: Seven out of ten.
This one was surprisingly enjoyable. I haven't heard of Drawing Deena by Hena Khan until a few days ago, when I picked it up from a library shelf, since I had no other choice when the books I wanted were gone. The ratings were high, and when I closed the final page, I liked this work, but it was heavy for its target audience.
It starts with Deena recounting her life, particularly how she feels stressed, but her mother dismissed that, saying her problems are worse than hers, initially sending a message of ignoring mental health, but that soon changes. The book then turns to other, more lighthearted subplots, including one about art where Van Gogh inspires Deena, and another where she modernises her mother's store by making a website. When I think about it, there aren't too many of them, but it feels jarring when juxtaposed against the central storyline of anxiety. I appreciated another character wanting more artists of colour to inspire Deena instead of only white artists in the guise of 'decolonising' her mind, but not literal decolonisation, which I found intriguing. The pacing is enough to keep the creation going without being overwhelming, lasting over 200 pages, and nothing goes to waste, and I enjoyed seeing the diverse cast, given Deena and her family are Pakistani American. I still don't see enough non-American Asian stories, though.
However, I don't understand why Deena's panic attacks went unnoticed for so long I had to read to the last 50 pages for the resolution. Conversations soon arise with Deena, her mother and the school about her mental illness, but not before a counsellor advises Deena to try out some coping strategies like breathing. Khan also implies people like Deena's mother tend to hide mental health issues, but not every person is the same. Khan thinks families are like this, but she also thinks they can change their stances with the right people. The characters are likable, but even with character development, I couldn't relate to her passion, as I'm not an artist myself, but I can see how people who live with similar conditions can connect. The concluding pages are heartwarming. That's all I can say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Mental illness
Full trigger warnings: Anxiety, panic attackkimiloughlin's review against another edition
inspiring
4.25
Great representation of anxiety and how it can present differently for different people. I also loved the representation of a family's response to anxiety... especially an South Asian (and Asian American in general) -- because "what do you have to be anxious about" from Deena's family is what my mother said to me 2 weeks ago :) Deena did a much better job handling it than I did.
I also loved the discussion of money struggles, jealously of friends/loved ones without realizing it's a grass is greener scenario, and the importance of art/passion.
I also loved the discussion of money struggles, jealously of friends/loved ones without realizing it's a grass is greener scenario, and the importance of art/passion.
stories's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really sweet book.
Year 7ish protagonist, a desi artist who is deeply anxious about her parents fighting over money.
Some lovely elements around respecting yourself in your art, discovering and tackling anxiety, the pull of social media, and how to fight and make up with your friends. Middle school’s rough.
Year 7ish protagonist, a desi artist who is deeply anxious about her parents fighting over money.
Some lovely elements around respecting yourself in your art, discovering and tackling anxiety, the pull of social media, and how to fight and make up with your friends. Middle school’s rough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
brookesbooks_and_dogs's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
jehansen127's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
thenextgenlibrarian's review
informative
fast-paced
3.25
A heartwarming MG book by @henakhanbooks that deals with anxiety & following your creative dreams.
✍️
Deena worries. She worries about potentially having a cavity at the dentist, about money to afford the dentist, about her artwork, about social media she’s not even on. The list goes on and on. With her mom selling homemade dresses at home Deena believes the answer to the family’s financial problems lies in marketing on social media. When Deena and her cousin, Parisa, create accounts, business picks up, but with that comes new problems between Deena and Parisa, as well as her mom being overwhelmed and out of her depth. Can Deena figure out a way to manage it all?
🖼️
This was a beautiful story about a girl dealing with so much. A could see this being a great class read aloud as it touches on the topics of financial security, social media, anxiety, boundaries and empathy. What a great novel to add to an elementary or middle school classroom or library.
CW: anxiety, mental health awareness, classism
3.25 ⭐️ Nothing new or revolutionary here.
✍️
Deena worries. She worries about potentially having a cavity at the dentist, about money to afford the dentist, about her artwork, about social media she’s not even on. The list goes on and on. With her mom selling homemade dresses at home Deena believes the answer to the family’s financial problems lies in marketing on social media. When Deena and her cousin, Parisa, create accounts, business picks up, but with that comes new problems between Deena and Parisa, as well as her mom being overwhelmed and out of her depth. Can Deena figure out a way to manage it all?
🖼️
This was a beautiful story about a girl dealing with so much. A could see this being a great class read aloud as it touches on the topics of financial security, social media, anxiety, boundaries and empathy. What a great novel to add to an elementary or middle school classroom or library.
CW: anxiety, mental health awareness, classism
3.25 ⭐️ Nothing new or revolutionary here.