Internment by Samira Ahmed is a horrifying glimpse into the future, as it portrays an internment camp for Muslim Americans. The book is filled with tension, and the main character is dauntless in her fight for freedom. The believability of the story also enhances its influence. I would consider this to be a must-read as it contains such an important message.
Title: Internment Author: Samira Ahmed
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
Rating:
Rebellions are built on hope.
Set in a horrifying near-future United States, seventeen-year-old Layla Amin and her parents are forced into an internment camp for Muslim American citizens.
With the help of newly made friends also trapped within the internment camp, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unexpected alliance, Layla begins a journey to fight for freedom, leading a revolution against the internment camp's Director and his guards.Heart-racing and emotional, Internment challenges readers to fight complicit silence that exists in our society today.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Internment By Samira Ahmed
This book tells the story of a girl and her family who are sent to a internment camp for Muslim Americans. Refusing to give into such oppression, Layla takes it upon herself to build a revolution and fight for her freedom. The story has a lot going for it, and I must say I appreciated how the camp isn’t romanticized. The stakes are high as Layla puts her life, and her parents’ lives, on the line to win back her freedom, and I had trouble putting the book down. Ultimately, Internment is a powerful novel with an important message.
❀ Brave Main Character
I very much enjoyed Layla’s character and her actions. She is incredibly brave for defending her rights, and the fact that she makes mistakes makes her more believable. Layla is a risk taker, which had me worried for her especially since the Director of the camp is ruthless. On top of this, her ability to make friends and bring some joy into such a horrifying event is admirable.
❀ Believable Premise
One of the book’s strengths is its realistic premise. The fact that something like this is so plausible makes the story so much more frightening. The way the story plays out is believable, and I enjoyed how it discusses the importance of remembering history so as not to repeat it. I would say that this book serves as a wakeup call, but it is also empowering to see young people combatting oppression.
❀ A Convincing Story
Internment by Samira Ahmed is a convincing story about an internment camp for Muslims. I loved the main character and her strength, and the book is believable. This is such an important read, and I would definitely recommend it.
About Samira Ahmed
SAMIRA AHMED was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in Batavia, Illinois, in a house that smelled like fried onions, spices, and potpourri. She currently resides in the Midwest. She’s lived in Vermont, New York City, and Kauai, where she spent a year searching for the perfect mango.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, she taught high school English for seven years, worked to create over 70 small high schools in New York City, and fought to secure billions of additional dollars to fairly fund public schools throughout New York State. She’s appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Fox News, NBC, NY1, NPR, and on BBC Radio. Her creative non-fiction and poetry has appeared in Jaggery Lit, Entropy, the Fem, and Claudius Speaks.
Her writing is represented by Eric Smith of P.S. Literary.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I’ve been seeing this book around a lot lately, with so many great things being said. I really love believable stories and I’m glad that you pointed this out about Internment. It sounds like a difficult, yet necessary read, and I think I’m going to have to pick up a copy ASAP. I’m glad that you enjoyed it!
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I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂
Great review, Olivia! The fact that the premise is so believable would make it a little scary to read but also one that HAS to be read, you know? Sounds like a really good read!
Exactly! It is a fantastic book! 🙂
Love that someone has written a story on the persecution of Muslims. This couldn’t have arrived at a better time 👍 Thank you for spreading the word about it!
I found this to be such an eye-opener!
This sounds like a fascinating novel with a powerful message. Thanks for the wonderful review.
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It really is! 🙂
I haven’t read this yet but I’m looking forward to read it! I’m glad you enjoyed it! It really sounds like a great read! I hope I’ll get to it soon! Great review btw! 🙂
Thanks, Raven! I hope that you enjoy it! 🙂
I already wanted to read this book, because I liked Ahmed’s first novel, but now after reading your review it seems to me this book is so much more important then I thought.
I requested it via Netgalley but was declined. 🙁
However, I will read it on my own at some point.
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I am interested in reading her other novel. I hope that you get the chance to read it soon! 🙂
I liked your review. This book has a great design
This sounds like a book I’d enjoy — and learn from!
I need to see if my library has it.
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