Pan Macmillan Australia, 2005

This first novel by a Melbourne-born author tells the story of a young Australian-Palestinian-Muslim woman, Amal. The title refers to her voluntary decision halfway through Year 11 to begin wearing the hijab, the traditional headscarf, as an expression of her Islamic faith and identity. Amal's friends at her prestigious private coeducational school support her, despite some puzzlement, but she attracts ignorant and malicious comments from other classmates.

The book has a full range of characters and subplots. The self-conscious, full-figured Simone has a crush on Josh, a secular Jew whose sister is about to marry an ultra-Orthodox man. Leila, a friend from her previous, Muslim, school runs away from home to escape pressures to marry instead of study but is eventually reconciled with her family. Amal herself experiences rejection when Adam, who she had wanted as a friend, doesn't understand why their relationship can't become romantic.

Outside events also play a part in Amal's life. First September 11, and then the Bali bombings, intensify the internal and external pressures she feels. She wants to explain her faith to others but resents having to do so. The message conveyed by her struggles is that we must see each person as an individual rather than rely on stereotypes.

Amal's first person story is full of teenage hyperbole and self-preoccupation. She fusses endlessly with her headscarf. She enjoys debating and doing brilliantly at school as well as gossiping and dressing up for a special celebration. Her good relationship with her parents – a doctor and a dentist – doesn't prevent her from testing the limits they impose and even once betraying their trust.

This book aims to show how a girl can be both thoroughly Muslim and thoroughly Aussie. Amal believes that all people must follow their own paths and achieve their full potential. These positive messages are well conveyed by a storyline and style aimed mainly at young adults, although many parents and grandparents could also enjoy it.

Review by Julie Contole