She Wore Red Trainers: A Muslim Love Story

Eighteen-year-old Muslim neighbors Ali and Amirah surprise themselves and each other by falling in love at first sight. After Ali's mother dies unexpectedly and his father's business falters, the family moves from Hertfordshire in the British countryside to a council flat in South London. Still grieving, Ali turns to Islam for comfort and guidance; he feels lost and concerned about taking a "gap year" instead of studying law. Amirah faces similar problems: her mother's depression has taken hold after her husband abandons the family, leaving Amirah to care for her younger siblings. While Amirah is expected to study business or get married, her passion is drawing. These teens try to navigate what in their daily lives is halal (permissible) and what is haram (forbidden) in this thoughtful look at contemporary, urban Muslim life. Alternating between Amirah and Ali's perspectives, Robert (Black Sheep) teases out the subtleties of young romance and the confounding pull of mutual attraction. While the story takes some melodramatic turns, it speaks vividly to conflicts of freedom, temptation, and faith. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. (Sept.)