The winners of The Farshore Reading for Pleasure Teacher Awards 2023, highlighting the work schools are doing to encourage a love of reading, have... You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud is the story of Hanan. Hanan is Muslim. Hanan has been the unfortunate recipient of racist bullying since she started at her school. A recent tragedy, one that directly affects the school, vamps up racism towards Hanan and other Muslims. Hanan has always been told ‘silence is gold’ but she starts to question this when things become life threatening.

Ayaan Mohamud – Author of ‘You Think You In Conversation With Ayaan Mohamud – Author of ‘You Think You

As a character Hanan was determined and strong but she could be bruised, battered and crushed by events and people. The events in this book felt authentic, relatable to things I've read in the media but haven't experienced myself. That said, I feel like I lived and learnt through this book, carried away by the characters and stories. I snake through the lunchtime crowd to find my friends, keeping an eye out for Jessica and her co-Braids. They’re the other two girls in that toxic trio; three cut-throat girls with the hair of angels. All living, breathing, walking contradictions. A part of me wants to laugh, to tell them that crayons are the least of their worries, that the reality of secondary school will blindside them soon enough – when their lives will intersect with those who say cruel and awful things for fun. But I know they’re still children and, for them, playground drama feels like the worst it’ll ever get.I loved the fact that she was a practicing Muslim which I think isn’t seen enough in books. She and her family are Somalis. I loved reading about their culture and seeing their family dynamics. A beautiful part of the book. Night Mayor Franklefink has vanished from the Transylvanian Express - and it's up to you to solve the case! Part of the Solve Your Own Mystery seri...

You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (9781803704500 You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (9781803704500

I pursed my lips but didn’t say anything. I knew if Andrea had been there, she definitely would’ve gone off on her. She’s never been the type to let anything go, especially when it comes to Jessica and her snarkiness. But me? No, no, no. I stayed silent. I always stayed silent. It was easier that way. Easier to let these little jabs slide off you, like water over glass, than let any of it get to you.

I’m so glad to have read this. I made it my mission long time ago to mainly read diverse books but honestly I don’t see enough Muslim centred books. It was amazing to learn so much. What a beautiful religion. Learning about the Somali culture though light touch was appreciated as well. Author Guy Bass introduces SCRAP, about one robot who tried to protect the humans on his planet against an army of robots. Now the humans need his...