AUTHOR: EMILY RAE-BRINSDEN
Author: Yassmin Abdel-Magied
For me, ‘You Must be Layla’ was an easy but fun read. It’s language is not too challenging and the storyline is engaging. The main character of the novel is Layla, a black hijabi who has recently moved into a predominantly white private school via scholarship. This book touches on racism, family dynamics and teenage friendships, as well as encouraging girls to get into STEM.
In the book, Layla explores the ups and downs of her new school life—particularly in an environment that is not used to someone like her. Even in moments of weakness, she doesn’t let anyone trample all over her, her friends beginning to nickname her ‘Queen Layla.’ She expresses herself through the things she crafts while working under her new school’s STEM program. Not without incidence, of course.
Similar to Layla, the author of this novel—Yassmin Abdel-Magied—is a woman in STEM, and is interested in spreading information about the topics contained within the book. In other news, a sequel to the novel came out, and it looks just as good as the first! Ita title is ‘Listen, Layla’ and I’m looking forward to reading it when I have the time!
P.S. Layla’s main invention of this novel centers around gummy bears, so that’s fun!