Review: I am Thunder, by Muhammad Khan

I am Thunder
by Muhammad Khan

Edition: 2018
Pages: 306 
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Muzna Saleem, who dreams of being a writer, struggles with controlling parents who only care about her studying to be a doctor. Forced to move to a new school in South London after her best friend is shamed in a scandal, Muzna realizes that the bullies will follow her wherever she goes. But deciding to stand and face them instead of fighting her instinct to disappear is harder than it looks when there's prejudice everywhere you turn. Until the gorgeous and confident Arif shows an interest in her, encouraging Muzna to explore her freedom.

But Arif is hiding his own secrets and, along with his brother Jameel, he begins to influence Muzna with their extreme view of the world. As her new freedom starts to disappear, Muzna is forced to question everything around her and make a terrible choice - keep quiet and betray herself, or speak out and betray her heart?

A stunning new YA voice which questions how far you'll go to protect what you believe in.

Rating: 4/5

Review: 
I received an online copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange of a honest review.

It's not easy to find me reading an YA book nowadays, but even I can't resist to a good premiss and surprise. 

Muhammad Khan is a Maths teacher in UK and he have decided to write "Thunder" following his own perceptions of what is happening around him and in conscience of how is important to discuss sensible matters in our society, because ignorance is the real danger.

I'm most interested to know how this book will behave on selling, but specially how it will be perceived by critics and youngsters, teachers and social workers.
It's even more easy today to get caught on the trap of making labels to everybody and in any kind of situation. The problem is when we can't perceive anything behind that frontpage and consider everybody who belongs to a community (social, religious, cultural or political one) the very same person.

In Thunter, Muhammad Khan show us how easy can be to young people be influenced by their surroundings, with all that costs. It means a young girl can start behaving differently due to being in love, a guy can obbey blindly a family member, since he is his major support; or even, a teenager can simply change ideias sharing thoughts and discussions with their friends.

All extremist and radicalisms are dangereous and should be identified and avoided as soon as possible. The obstacle starts when the changing is so suble that when visible, it's already too late.

The authors made his characters face huge moral challenges and had them discuss subjects that real matter to how present society, since unployed poor masses to religious rituals (or the absence of them as non mandatory to be a spiritual person).

Khan created a chess card, where everybody moves very fast and more than often, in the shadows. Muzna definietly has her own voice - even when clouded - and her definition as main character brought the reader the opportunity to accompany her journey to freedom. Or towards the thunder.

Cláudia

About the author:
 

Addicted to the library Claudia loves to read on the move and we can usualy find her sitting in a train or bus reading while commuting to and from work. But don't be fooled she is also keeping an eye on the landscape and all around her. She is an avid defender of sustainability and volunteering and it's as easy to find her starting a new project as it is to find her chatting with her friends. She is a dreamer and loves good stories so she keeps looking for them in her personal life.