I Am Thunder - Muhammad Khan

An essential for schools and homes everywhere!

I Am Thunder is another book that I read quite a while ago but never got around to reviewing. I should have reviewed it straight away because it's a novel everyone needs to read. The story follows a teenage girl - Muzna - through her move to a different area, the challenge of making new friends in a new school, staying true to herself and her beliefs, while also trying to follow her heart. A lot of the story covers radicalisation, spotting signs of radicalisation and how people can be lured into partaking in acts of radicalisation and terrorism.

The main characters are Muzna and Arif. Arif is the 'hot guy' at her new school and her interest is instantly piqued. I love how strong and sharp Muzna is. Like all teens, she desperately wants to fit in but also wants to find her voice. She seems to struggle slightly with finding the balance between the two, more so when she starts to drift from her best friend, Salma. Arif comes across as a sweetheart. There is no denying his charm. However, you very quickly learn not to be fooled by his smooth smile and handsome features. I do feel for him though. Without giving too much away, it soon becomes clear that he is being manipulated by his older brother. I don't believe that he is a bad character at all.

The plot itself if very real and truthful. There's no sugar-coating. (Spoilers alert) Muzna has to move area, away from her best friend and this is upsetting for her - honestly. She has to start at a new school and make new friends; this makes her anxious - honest. The school's 'hot guy' takes an interest in her and she's confused but also ecstatic about it - relatable. She starts to notice that something weird is going on and is scared that talking to someone will cause trouble - relatable. She doesn't want to disappoint the guy that she really likes in fear of him not liking her anymore - definitely relatable. Every part of the story is open and raw. I think this is really important when addressing such serious topics.

The language, settings and characteristics used in 'I Am Thunder' are current and relatable. You can always relate to something within the story, and if you can't relate to something personally, then it's more than likely that you can relate it to something you've heard or seen in the media. At the time I read this book, there was a lot of trouble regarding ISIS. It's all we heard about on the news, and with every headline came more fear. Khan offered a fresh perspective with this novel and it highlighted the importance of being aware. Aware of yourself, your environment, others and the wider world. This is why I think it is so important that this book is used in education. The characters and settings will make it easy for pupils to relate to.

Overall, I give this book a 5/5. Everything about it needs to be experienced by everyone. I wouldn't just recommend it to teenagers, I'd suggest it to adults too!

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