Any Way You Look | Scholastic Canada
Our Books

Any Way You Look

By Maleeha Siddiqui   

Scholastic Inc. | ISBN 9781339010267 Hardcover
256 Pages | 5.833" x 8.541" | Ages 8 to 12

When boys from her community start harassing her, Ainy needs to figure out how to get them to stop--while still staying true to herself.

Dress Coded meets Amina's Voice in this new middle grade novel by Maleeha Siddiqui.

Ainy is excited for summer! She plans on working at her mom’s clothing boutique, having adventures with her best friend, and maybe even starting to wear the hijab--just like her big sister. But when certain boys from Ainy’s Muslim community keep showing up at the store to give her unwanted attention, she goes from possibly wanting to wear the hijab someday to feeling like she needs to wear it to get the boys to leave her alone.

But wearing the hijab doesn’t do what she’d hoped: It doesn’t deflect the boys' attention at all! If anything, they've found something new to harass her about. With the help of her best friend and her older sister, Ainy must channel her inner creative strength and find the confidence to stand her ground and get the respect she deserves.

This is a compulsively readable, feminist, and thought-provoking book about staying true to yourself by acclaimed author Maleeha Siddiqui.

Raves & reviews:

Advance Praise for Any Way You Look:

★ "Engaging and hugely relevant: an empowering gem." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Any Way You Look is as light and airy as Ainy's fashionable designs, but layered underneath is a powerful message to speak up for oneself and find your voice. Enthralling." -- Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Call Me Adnan and Unsettled

Praise for Barakah Beats:

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

New York Public Library Best Book of the Year

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Indie's Introduce Pick

Indie Next Pick

"This book about friendship and faith absolutely sings." -- Buzzfeed

★ "Every elementary and middle school library will benefit from this touching story." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Bhai For Now

"An uplifting, culturally inclusive, and lively exploration of family bonds." -- School Library Journal

"A Parent Trap redux that doesn’t disappoint. A delightful tale of family love and complexity.” -- Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling and emotionally resonant story with a satisfyingly outlandish plot. Give to fans of Gordon Korman's realistic fiction." -- Booklist

"This is an engaging read that balances humor, suspense, and genuine feelings of insecurity and betrayal." -- School Library Connection