by Hena Khan
Mustafa and Yusuf are standing next to Baba, all three chowing on bulgogi piled high on paper plates that the Park Avenue Deli is supplying through the Parks’ new food truck. Mr. Park’s two assistants are having trouble keeping up with the line. The food section has the usual vendors selling samosas and kabob rolls, and a big cotton candy machine. A few parents stand behind a long table and sell homemade baked goods, including Emily’s mom, who passes out her peanut butter cookies.
I catch Thaya Jaan, who has passed on a kabob roll, sinking his teeth into a jumbo cheeseburger. Mustafa finally managed to win him over to American food, and the two have shared a couple of late-night pizzas over the past few weeks. Thaya Jaan rushed over to us with Mama and Baba after the Quran competition program was over and hugged us both tightly.
“I’m so proud of you.” His eyes crinkled around the edges more than usual.
“Did you two remember to thank Thaya Jaan for all of his hard work with you?” Mama asked quickly.
“No need,” Thaya Jaan said. “I’ve learned as much from them as they have from me.” He put his arm around Baba.
“You both have done an excellent job raising these children,” he added. I watched my father stand taller from the praise and knew how much it meant to him.
The big stage is set up across from the food vendors, where the Greendale High School jazz band fills the air with classic tunes. I recognize one of Mustafa’s friends playing the alto saxophone and a boy from his basketball team strumming the bass guitar. Ms. Holly is standing to the side, talking to the high school band teacher. The sixth graders are going to do the Blast from the Past rehearsal next. I can pick out the band and chorus members spread out around the lawn in their various forms of black pants and white shirts. Justin showed up wearing black track pants and a white sweatshirt that is already covered with grass stains.
“Come on.” Soojin pulls my hand. “The line for the bounce house isn’t long right now. Let’s get in before it’s time for the rehearsal.”
I motion to Emily, Rabiya, and Dahlia, and we all run over to the giant inflated castle. I stop, thinking, while my friends kick off their shoes.
“Go ahead without me. I’ll be right back.”
And then I run back over to where Ms. Holly is standing and whisper in her ear. Ms. Holly nods enthusiastically.
I run back to the bounce house and dive in, feeling lighter than I have in weeks as I jump. Soojin leaps and twirls and does a cartwheel. Rabiya tries to do splits and ends up falling on me, knocking me over.
“I think it’s time.” Emily strains to hear the announcement over the whir of the air pump. “We’d better go back. I have to get my clarinet.”
She slides out of the castle, smooths her white sweaterdress over her leggings, and adjusts her headband. Soojin slips her black ballet flats back on and looks at me.
“What’s the matter? Are you nervous about playing the piano in front of everyone?” she asks.
“No, I think I’ll be okay.” I’ve practiced enough to play the songs in my sleep.
We walk up to the stage as Ms. Holly introduces the grade and explains the program to the crowd. I climb onto the stage and settle onto the piano bench, feeling instantly relaxed as my fingers rest on the keys. On Ms. Holly’s signal, I launch into the medley of songs and the chorus sings along. As I start the 1960s songs, I wonder if Baba is humming along too. When I’m halfway through the 1970s portion, Ms. Holly slips onto the bench beside me and starts to play, and I quickly stand up. I walk to the center of the stage, lift the microphone off the stand, and raise it to my lips.
I look out into the audience, but it is a blur of faces. Instead I focus on the cool breeze on my face and on the bright blue sky, where I train my eyes on a cloud. As Ms. Holly hits the starting note, I ignore the trembling in my leg, find my voice, and hear myself softly and clearly sing the words to my very first solo.
“I was born by the river in a little tent . . .”
There’s a smattering of applause and cheering. I take a deep breath and continue a little louder, “And just like that river I’ve been running ever since . . .” My legs are steadier now, and I start to sway slightly to the music.
“It’s been a long time, a long time coming . . .” I begin to recognize the faces in the audience. I find Mama, Baba, Mustafa, and Thaya Jaan, all smiling, and Rabiya, whistling like crazy. And then, suddenly filled with happiness, I belt out the words I know are true with all my might: “But I know a change gonna come. Oh yes it will.”
And I’m ready for it.
Hena Khan is a Pakistani American who was born and raised in Maryland. She enjoys writing about her culture as well as all sorts of other subjects, from spies to space travel. She is the author of several books, including It’s Ramadan, Curious George; Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns; and Night of the Moon. Hena lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband and two sons. You can learn more about Hena by visiting her website, henakhan.com.
Simon & Schuster • New York
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ALSO BY HENA KHAN
It’s Ramadan, Curious George
Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors
Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story
An imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Text copyright © 2017 by Hena Khan
Jacket illustration copyright © 2017 by Abigail Dela Cruz
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Khan, Hena, author.
Title: Amina’s voice / Hena Khan.
Description: First edition. | New York : Salaam Reads / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2017] | Summary: “A Pakistani-American Muslim girl struggles to stay true to her family’s vibrant culture while simultaneously blending in at school after tragedy strikes her community”— Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016024621| ISBN 9781481492065 (hardcover) |
ISBN 9781481492089 (eBook)
Subjects: LCSH: Muslims—Juvenile fiction. | Pakistani Americans—Juvenile fiction. | CYAC: Muslims—Fiction. | Pakistani Americans—Fiction. | Friendship—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Family / General (see also headings under Social Issues). | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Prejudice & Racism.
Classification: LCC PZ7.K526495 Am 2017 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016024621
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