Big changes are happening in Amina’s life. She just started middle school, and her uncle, Thaya Jaan, is visiting from Pakistan on an extended stay. Her parents are from Pakistan and her best friend, Soojin, is from Korea. They bonded in elementary school because of their immigrant backgrounds, but now that they are in middle school, Soojin seems different. She wants to replace her Korean name with an English one and she is becoming very friendly with Emily, a girl who made fun of Soojin and Amina when they were in elementary school. Amina misses the old Soojin who was proud of her name and encouraged Amina’s musical talent. Amina loves to sing and play the piano, but she suffers from stage fright.

Thaya Jaan is the stern older brother of Amina’s father. He is very traditional, and her family is trying to make everything perfect for his visit. Although they are a devout Muslim family, they have adopted some western ideas, and Amina’s father is afraid that his brother will disapprove. Amina gets worried when she overhears Thaya Jaan express his disapproval over her music.

While Amina struggles with feelings of jealousy for Soojin’s new friend Emily, her father enters her in a contest at their mosque to impress Thaya Jaan. Amina and her brother, Mustafa, will have to recite verses from the Koran in front of an audience. Amina dreads the competition but when her mosque is burnt and vandalized in an act of hate, her family, friends and community must come together to overcome the tragedy.

Amina’s Voice offers a look into the lives and struggles of immigrant families and their children. The readers who may not know about Muslim culture are given a positive introduction to a mosque, an imam, and a Muslim community.

For more information about author Hena Kahn, visit her website: http://www.henakhan.com