Fifteen-year-old Dua Iqbal has all the time had bother minding her personal enterprise. With a silver-tongue and an inquisitive nature, a profession in journalism appears fated. When her college merges with one other, Dua seizes her probability and units up a rival newspaper, exposing the controversial tales that academics and the children who rule the college would reasonably maintain buried.
Dua’s investigations are digging up issues she shouldn’t become involved with about household, associates and her group and as exams rattle in the direction of her, she must make some onerous choices about when to depart issues alone. However when she discovers that some children at college are being blamed for promoting medicine when the true perpetrator is true in entrance of their noses, she will be able to’t maintain quiet any longer.
Muhammed Khan writes such nice voices! I’ve talked about his earlier two YA novels on the weblog earlier than, Ilyas from KICK THE MOON remains to be one in all my favorite fictional teenagers and I beloved the nod to him in MARK MY WORDS, Khan’s newly revealed high-school based mostly thriller. Khan’s characters make errors and generally do the mistaken factor, Dua is not any exception, however all of them care deeply about their family and friends and group and all the time need to make issues higher. In that, I believe they’re very actual youngsters, and even when the reader can’t see themselves in the primary protagonist they may recognise the nicely developed aspect characters and empathise. I’d love to listen to the reactions of scholars from each state and personal colleges!
I used to be given the chance to ask a number of questions as a part of the weblog tour (see banner under for the remainder of the tour):
As a instructor, have you ever labored in a Minerva or Bodley?
Sure! Covid made me realise I couldn’t afford to be a full-time writer and I used to be actually lacking the classroom surroundings. Earlier than I bought my present submit, I dipped my toe in provide educating. I bought a distinct college day by day and the distinction actually jumped out at me. I assumed it might be an enchanting dichotomy for a YA novel. Thus, Minerva and Bodley have been born!
Dua typically thinks about her religion, by no means doubting it, did you discuss to younger hijabi ladies to assist with the voice?
I grew up round hijabi ladies, and plenty of my college students put on the hijab too, so I used to be captivated with getting the illustration proper. I had a number of attention-grabbing conversations. Macmillan additionally bought plenty of sensitivity readers to ensure the characterisation felt plausible.
So many issues that may have an effect on younger individuals are broached within the ebook, what was most necessary so that you can get throughout?
The story all the time comes first in my books. Youngsters hate to be preached at. Having mentioned that I hope younger folks will really feel impressed by Dua and her associates to talk out every time they see mistaken and never quit if they aren’t heard however to have the energy to maintain going. We shouldn’t underestimate peer strain or medicine tradition.
Are any of your characters based mostly on college students or colleagues?
Undoubtedly! I’m all the time amazed and impressed by my college students and their passions. Dua relies on a number of women I’ve taught who had a degree of bravery I might solely have dreamed of as a teen. Hugo relies on a pupil I met at a really posh college.
Sadly, Dua’s mum’s story can be based mostly in actuality. In my years of educating, I’ve heard plenty of harrowing tales from colleagues dealing with discrimination. The ability imbalance is one thing individuals are lastly beginning to communicate up about with out severe recriminations. However there’s tons extra to do!
Have you considered together with covid restrictions in a future novel?
I’ve considered it however I’m sort of hoping, like everybody else, that the restrictions can be over quickly!
What are you studying in the intervening time and who would you advocate it to?
My college students have gotten me into manga in a giant manner. I’m at the moment studying Kimetsu No Yaiba (Demon Slayer) by Koyoharu Gotouge. Such an ideal learn with great characters and sensible world constructing. I like to recommend it to each lover of fantasy and horror.
MARK MY WORDS by Muhammad Khan is out now in paperback (£7.99, MCB)
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