Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero

<p><strong>At a time when we are all asking </strong><strong>questions about identity grief and how to stand up for what is right this book by the author of <em>A Thousand Questions </em>will hit home with young readers who love Hena Khan and Varian Johnson--or anyone struggling to understand recent U.S. history and how it still affects us today. </strong></p> <p>Yusuf Azeem has spent all his life in the small town of Frey Texas--and nearly that long waiting for the chance to participate in the regional robotics competition which he just <em>knows</em> he can win.</p> <p>Only this year is going to be more difficult than he thought. Because this year is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks an anniversary that has everyone in his Muslim community on edge.</p> <p>With Never Forget banners everywhere and a hostile group of townspeople protesting the new mosque Yusuf realizes that the country's anger from two decades ago hasn't gone away. Can he hold onto his joy--and his friendships--in the face of heartache and prejudice?</p>