All You Have To Do by Autumn Allen
This historical fiction YA book was hard to put down. While being invested in the characters and learning about the historical climate from an intimate account, I could feel my mind growing and my understanding deepening. The phenomenal writing quality, and the connection between the two fictional characters from two different times rooted in reality, allowed this thought provoking book to burrow into my mind, and makes me suggest it to high school English teachers to read with their students for a novel study. Add in that the author is Muslim and that there is inclusion of side Muslim characters, makes me really really love this 432 page book.
SYNOPSIS:
Told from two perspectives: Gibran is a high school senior in 1995 at a prestigious New England, majority white prep school. Being aware of the efforts his mother has made for him to have the opportunities he does, the incredibly bright boy isn’t content to sit back and let injustices go unchecked. As he understands his position in his school, and perhaps in the world, he pushes to change how the system views him and on the cusp of the Million Man March he starts to get restless when others don’t support his efforts.
Kevin is at Columbia University in New York City in the wake of the Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination. While the country pays service to the civil rights leader Kevin is witnessing the injustices at Columbia, and begins to question what his enrollment at the institution means and the hypocrisy it supports. He also reflects back on choices his own family has made and what he would like his future to look like when opportunities to protest arise.
Kevin is Gibran’s uncle and their parallels show how little has changed in America. The fears of the family, the institutionalized racism, the helplessness of a broken system. The desire for two young men coming of age to decide for themselves where they belong, who they are, and what they are capable of in a world that wants to take that freedom away from them.
WHY I LIKE IT:
The power of this book is incredible, truly. I really don’t have words. I do have words about the side Muslim characters though. Gibran’s sister is a hijab wearing convert and is respected and accepted by the family. Kevin’s cousin and activist is also a convert and a powerful influence on the main character. There are mentions of Muslims praying, and salams are given. The book was beneficial to read, the Muslim characters and knowing that the author is Muslim, and reading the phrase, “In the Name of God the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” before the dedication was just extra amplification of voices that this story brought to light.
FLAGS:
Racism, violence, police violence, incarceration, hatred, drugs, alcohol, sneaking out, partying, lying, stealing, segregation, oppression, language. The reality of the situations discussed is not PG, but the book does not sensationalize anything for the sake of shock, it is rooted in reality and a YA audience will grasp that.
TOOLS FOR LEADING THE DISCUSSION:
Teachers, librarians, parents, teens: read this book. Think about what you are reading, discuss what happened, what you understand, and how it makes you feel. Preorder/order here
