Ask Me No Questions

 

Bibliography
Budhos, Marina, 2006. ASK ME NO QUESTIONS. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416903512.

Plot Summary
Living in New York City with expired visas, Nadira and her family are forced to make tough decisions on their futures. As immigrants from Bangladesh, the family lives in constant fear of the future, to the point where they must seek asylum in Canada. Due to the immigration status after 9/11, Nadira's family was turned away at the Canadian border and their father was arrested by immigration. Trying to come up with a solution to bring the family together, their mother stays in a women's shelter, while the two sisters go back to New York to live their lives as if nothing happened. During their time alone, the sisters learn a lot about each other and help each other survive physically and emotionally during this difficult time.  

Critical Analysis 
Budhos writes a powerful story about a Bangladeshi family facing hardships in the United States. In the land of the free, the Hossain family lives in fear as their expired visas and immigration status hangs over their heads every day. As they try to live their daily lives, they cannot help but feel each minute of every day will be the time they will be caught and detained. The story is told from Nadira, the younger daughter's point of view. At the age of fourteen, she is forced to mature instantly when her family attempts to seek asylum in Canada. Their plan backfires when her father is arrested and detained by U.S. Customs, their mother stays in a nearby women's shelter, trying to come up with a plan to get their father released. Nadira and her sister are told to go back home and live their lives as if nothing has happened. Proving to be impossible, the sisters begrudgingly rely on each other to remain strong and hopeful throughout this difficult time. It is tough to write about a sensitive topic such as immigration, as many can imagine the pain that deportation and splitting up a family can bring. Budhos manages to write a story that captures readers attention to this important, controversial topic, while creating empathetic thoughts for the families affected. 

Review Excerpt(s)
- ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2007
- ALA Notable Children's Books, 2007
- Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2006
- Booklist Editors' Choice, 2006
- New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2006
Starred review in BOOKLIST: "A moving first-person, present-tense narrative... Readers will feel the heartbreak, prejudice, kindness, and fear."
Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "A perceptive peek into the lives of foreigners on the fringe."

Connections
- Young adult readers looking to learn more about Bangladesh and Muslim culture will enjoy this perspective from a teenage girl.
- Fans of Marina Budhos will appreciate this realistic, powerful addition to her works. 
- Similar book recommendations:
Budhos, Marina, 2022. WE ARE ALL WE HAVE. ISBN 9780593120200.
Gansworth, Eric, 2022. MY GOOD MAN. ISBN 9781646141838. 

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