Ahmed, Samira. Mad Bad & Dangerous to Know. Soho Teen, 2020. ISBN 978161292313
Plot
Ahmed weaves together two stories of young women who are
finding themselves, they are of very different time periods. The stories of
Khayyam and Leila. One’s voice, Khayyam is caught on academic
work that she did to get into the school of her dreams and of Leila whose voice
is drowned by the men in her life (Pashan, Delacroix, Lord Byron, Delacroix). Collectively, through
a searcher hunt in the city of the story, Paris (with a handsome boy from Paris
who is a direct descendant of Dumas) and their commitment to not give up and
have their voices heard regardless of the pressures to stay quiet.
Critical Evaluation
Story is told with the multiples perspectives of the main
characters, from the 19th century times to modern day. This back and
forth gives the reader a close look at the systems that haven’t changes much,
such as sexism and patriarchy, particularly facing women of certain
backgrounds. It is a romance story in that they are dealing with their hearts
and either heartbroken for a love that is no longer here/ not available. There
are other suitors involved that connect them either back to their original loves
or wanting to be with them.
There are similarities in Khayaam and Leila as women of
color of South Asian Descent. Like many who are caught between different cultures,
as children of different backgrounds or in another country, Khayyam grapples with
being bicultural. Leila’s only
relationship to her voice and what can say agency is connected to the men
around her, due to the time and place she was born in. A connection is made as
Khayyam speaks about Leila and her voice being invisible and connected to the
men, as she herself struggles to find her own. Although Leila’s story was centuries before Khayyam
is inspired to make sure she is the owner of her own.
Story does a good job to highlight the voices of women of
color and the work it requires to have a place in general society. There is a
place for everyone even if systems of oppression may make it difficult for
women overall, and especially brown and Black women to have their stories
heard.
Reader's Annotation
Khayyam (young teen who is Muslim/French) is having a crisis in France, due to bombing a submission to her dream school far away from boyfriend. She meets a new person and embarks in an adventure related to art history.
Author Information
Samira Ahmed is the bestselling author of Love, Hate & Other Filters, Internment, Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know, and Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds, as well as a Ms. Marvel comic book mini-series. Her poetry, essays, and short stories have appeared in numerous publications and anthologies including the New York Times, Take the Mic, Color Outside the Lines, Vampires Never Get Old and A Universe of Wishes.She was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in Batavia, Illinois, in a house that smelled like fried onions, spices, and potpourri. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Samira has taught high school English in both the suburbs of Chicago and New York City, worked in education non-profits, and spent time on the road for political campaigns.
Genre
Contemporary: Mystery. Romance.
BookTalking Ideas
Thoughts on Khayyam calling Alexander out on his sexism.
Reading Level/Age Interest
Grade level. 9 - 12 ·
Reading age. 14 - 17 years
Challenge Issues
Feminism, mental abuse, racism. I will have the Library Bill of Rights handy and Los Angeles Country Library Collections Policy.
Why I Included This Book in Collections
The characters’ background, the author’s background, and that the coming-of-age story Khayyam, resembling that of many in the age range specifically in this time of social media. References to social media in the story.
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