Just Another Jihadi Jane

With the rise in nationalism and anti-Muslim sentiment, Khair's novel about an English teen who runs away to join Daesh is timely. Jamilla, raised in a devout Muslim family, takes pride in adhering to the teachings of the Koran. Her best friend, Ameena, also Muslim, isn't a strict follower of the religion, but when the boy she loves breaks her heart, Ameena turns to her faith for solace. It soon becomes her obsession, and she encourages Jamilla to join her on social networking sites that connect to a worldwide Islamic community. Drawn to the postings of a woman who runs an orphanage in Syria, where her husband is fighting for the "faith," the girls are convinced to join the cause and soon are making travel arrangements but end up trapped in a terrifying, unexpected situation. Khair describes how, especially for Muslim youth, alienation can drive teens to seek kinship. Jamilla is adroitly rendered, and readers will feel as though she's sitting by them, relating her tale.