Ask Me No Questions

[3]This young adult novel shows how the changes in immigration policies, post 9-11, have affected families. The story traces a family who were living on expired visas in New York City, hoping they could someday realize their dream of becoming legal citizens of the United States. The main character is a middle school student, who only knows the United States and feels distant from her homeland of Bangladesh. She strives to please her parents and be a good student. But after 9/11, her world falls apart-she is seen as a “terrorist” because her family is Muslim. When the family tries to leave for Canada and apply for asylum the father is arrested and detained and the family has to make many choices while striving for the "American Dream”. Marina Budhos, a critically acclaimed author, does an amazing job at crafting this story so it captures a young reader’s attention while explaining contemporary issues-such as the Patriot Act and controversial concepts-such as detention.