Proud: Young Readers Edition

June 1, 2018
Muhammad, Olympic medalist for the U.S. fencing team, presents a memoir emphasizing the role of sports in her life.Muhammad, a black, Muslim American who grew up in New Jersey, was raised by loving, supportive parents in a stable home. Her parents had many expectations of her and her siblings, one of which was that they would always participate in a sport. Some readers know the general story of how Muhammad finally picked and stayed with fencing--a sport in which she could wear the team uniform without compromising the modest attire required of her faith--but there are surprises in the details. Muhammad's experiences in schools, in sports, in social situations, and in national and international competitions include moments of joy and exhilaration as well as many periods of isolation and self-doubt. The honesty in her writing makes it easy to connect with her journey, so that even readers who are not interested in the details of fencing will want to keep going to see how she made it all the way. Her dedication is impressive, and the many other people populating the pages of her memoir create a portrait of what it takes to make a champion. Readers who are already fans of Muhammad will love her even more, and all readers will gain much inspiration from this heartfelt memoir of a true American hero. Like Muhammad herself, this book is a timely gift to us all. (glossary, interview) (Memoir. 10-18)

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July 1, 2018

Gr 6 Up-Fencer and Olympic medalist Muhammad pens an eminently readable account of her childhood through her win at the 2016 Rio Olympics in this must-have memoir. Opening with an all-too familiar scene, she recalls how a substitute teacher refused to properly pronounce her name, an episode that the Olympian uses to elucidate her motivations behind writing this text: "I wanted to chronicle my quest to challenge society's limited perceptions of what a Muslim woman, a black woman, or an athlete can be." In this regard, and many others, Muhammad excels. Her steadfast trust in herself and the guidance of her family and her faith shine throughout. Muhammad's retelling of her early home life, her qualification for the 2016 Olympics, and of blessings big and small are passages filled with love and awe. The writing is concise, and the replays of Muhammad's matches are riveting. Teen athletes, especially those playing in sports perceived as white, will relate to and value Muhammad's keen perspective on manipulative coaches, college and scholarship applications, racist and Islamophobic abuse from teammates, and the challenge of balancing practice, classwork, and personal academic interests. An epilogue discusses her role in creating the nonprofit Athletes for Impact and underlines the importance of defining one's identity for oneself and embracing one's dreams. VERDICT A first purchase for YA nonfiction collections.-Della Farrell, School Library Journal

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from July 1, 2018
Grades 6-12 *Starred Review* Black but Muslim. Muslim but American. A hijab-wearing athlete. Ibtihaj Muhammad, an Olympic medalist in fencing and the first Muslim woman to represent the U.S. in international competition, explores identity, her path to the 2016 Olympics, and their intersection in this eye-opening memoir adapted for young readers. Muhammad was always competitive, especially when it came to sports. Wearing a hijab and coming from a large family, she realized that fencing allowed her an easier way to maintain her faith than in other sports and work toward a scholarship for college. And it turned out she was excellent! More difficult than the rigorous physical and mental training, however, was trying to fit into a predominantly white, male sport. Muhammad describes her struggles with classmates, teammates, referees, and even the public at large, who only saw her as an outsider. She also relates how finding a community of fencers of color, supportive family and trainers, perseverance, and, above all, her faith helped her overcome adversity. As she succeeded and gained media attention, she recognized that she could be a role model for other young women, young Muslims, and young people of color. Indeed, Muhammad's story is an inspiring one that will encourage readers to question what it means to be American.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)