Ask Me No Questions
Budhos, M. T. (2007). Ask me no questions. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 1416949208
Plot Summary
Ask No Questions is a realistic fiction book about a young Bangladeshi girl named Nadira Hossain and her family. They immigrated to the United stated for a better life or so they thought. 9/11 is the day that turned their American dream into an American nightmare. Now, everyone is suspicious of them because of their nationality, they automatically think that they are terrorist. In fear of retaliation, the Hossain family decides to flee to Canada, but things continue to go from bad to worst when her father gets detained due to his expired visa. Now, Nadira and her overachieving sister don’t know what to do. They are afraid to open up to anyone about what’s really going on in fear of getting deported. No one asks any questions and everything begins to overwhelm Nadira’s sister. Nadira has no one to turn to, so she decides to take matters into her own hands Nadira will find her identity and voice as she fights to bring her family back together.
Critical Analysis
Ask me No Questions by Marina Budhos is a great book that will introduce readers to a culture that is usually overlooked. When reading this book readers will understand and have empathy for the main character and her struggles growing up as a Bangladeshi immigrant in America during the post 9/11 tragedy. Budhos writing style has readers feeling one with the characters in the book. Readers will feel so a plethora of emotions when they read this book from heartache and panic to fear and isolation. Ask Me No Questions connects readers to the overall themes of immigration, cultural acceptance, identity, and family.
Budhos exposes readers to many cultural markers in this book from dialect and family customs to physical appearance and gender roles. The book discusses the historical background of the religious and political conflict in Bangladesh. Budhos does a great job exposing the mental make-up of both Americans and immigrants living in America. Many Americans had a negative attitude toward foreigners in fear that they were terrorist. In addition, foreigners from South Asia were afraid to even interact with Americans in fear that they would get deported. Readers will be exposed to the racial bias, ignorance, and negativity that some Americans had toward Nadira’s culture. Surprisingly, this is still a modern-day issue where immigrants are still ridiculed by their language, socioeconomic status, and physical appearance.
Furthermore, Budhos was able to introduce readers to certain Bangladeshi food including chicken tandoori and biryani. The dialect and names of the characters also is a great element of cultural authenticity. The main character calls her Mother “ Ma” and her father “Abba”. The author also provides readers with insight on the traditional Bangladeshi clothing such as saris, salwar kameez, and kurtas. These are long, beautifully embroidered sparkling dresses or shirts that people usually wear in the Bangladeshi culture. After reading this book, readers will have many misconceptions about South Asia clarified!
Review Excerpts
Abby Craden's softly accented voice brings to life the emotional turmoil felt by the sisters, and she portrays male and female characters equally well. An excellent listen and an important addition to the study of the immigrant experience.--School Library Journal
The answer is a surprise that grows organically from the family's story. Readers will feel the heartbreak, prejudice, kindness, and fear. --Booklist
Connection
Meet the Author!
http://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Marina-Budhos/29440910?mcd=vd_youtube_author
Lesson Plans
Learn more about 9/11
https://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collections/teaching-content/understanding-september-11/
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