Title: That's not my name by Anoosha Syed
Published: July 12th, 2022
Genre: Children's literature
Audience: Elementary Level
Summary: This is a really great book and can be super relatable to students who may have a unique name. There's always at least one or two in a class so I think reading this book to an elementary level classroom would be beneficial because not only would it make that child not feel alone it would give them something to relate to.This book is about a little girl who is starting school and on her first day she gets called all of the wrong names by her friends and sometimes even her teachers as well. Everyone mispronouncing her name got her really in her head and hurt. She got really upset and came home on the first day to ask her parents if she could change her name. Her family gave her the encouragement and confidence to stand up to people and let them know that they're pronouncing her name wrong. The mother stated that her name is beautiful and that her name means happiness in Arabic. This book is very inclusive, there are a lot of different nationalities represented throughout this book. Not only nationalities but also abilities, there are children in wheelchairs, children with glasses, boys and girls- it was very nice to read. I think that this would be a wonderful book for grades Kindergarten through 4th. I highly recommend this book to read as a whole group read aloud or privately with a child who may have a unique name and can relate to this story. At the end of the text Mirha (the main character) states, "Hi my name is Mirha, what's yours?" Concluding this book that way shows the reader that Mirha overcame her fear of people mispronouncing her name and to stand tall with confidence. Highly recommend this one! The inclusion again is wonderful!
Review: From Amazon- A debut picture book about loving your name, finding your voice, and standing up for yourself from the critically acclaimed illustrator of Bilal Cooks Daal and I Am Perfectly Designed.
Mirha is so excited for her first day of school! She can't wait to learn, play, and make new friends. But when her classmates mispronounce her name, she goes home wondering if she should find a new one. Maybe then she'd be able to find a monogrammed keychain at the gas station or order a hot chocolate at the cafe more easily. Mama helps Mirha to see how special her name is, and she returns to school the next day determined to help her classmates say it correctly--even if it takes a hundred tries.
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