Budhos, Marina Tamar. 2006. ASK ME NO QUESTIONS. New York, NY. ISBN 978-1-4169-4920-6

BIBLIOGRPAHY 

Budhos, Marina Tamar. 2006. ASK ME NO QUESTIONS. New York, NY. ISBN 978-1-4169-4920-6 

PLOT SUMMARY 

Nadira and her family travel to America Bangladesh and overstay their visit which result in her dad being in America with an expired visa. The attacks of September 11 caused a lot of panic for illegal immigrants as there was pressure for every Muslim man over 18 to register on the special list, which was a trick to find illegal immigrants. Those who feared detainment fled to the Canadian border and so did Nadira’s family. Out of panic they fled and were denied entrance for asylum. This changed the course of their lives in a matter of hours. Nadira, who was always hiding in her sister’s shadow had to step up as they’re left to handle her dad’s situation in their own hands. She proves herself to her family and after successes and failures her family is given the opportunity to apply for residency, hoping to call America their home, officially.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS) 

This story about immigrants is authentic and not stereotyped. The characters reflect their cultural experiences by mentioning where their family comes from and how they lived in villages in Bengal. We read how East 6th street in Manhattan has Indian restaurants that sell food of their culture such as chicken tandoori and biryani. We see some custom language with their names and a saying “Chor bhangka ar chor gora, ey niye amader jibon” which translates to Land disappears, land appears- this is our life.” Abba, her father, works jobs of an immigrant as he cleans buildings, washes dishes, construction jobs, delivered pizzas and other jobs. Their interactions with other cultures are seen as they are in school with peers of other nationalities and they talk about keeping all their information to themselves and not share their status with anyone.  

The setting of this story is set in America where they move from place to place, they go to school, and they try to figure out how to get their father out of detainment. The story is rich in cultural details as they are immigrants trying to find their permanent stay and by doing so they show the ways immigrants live by keeping to themselves, living in multi-family units, saving money outside of banks, and paying bills under family members names. We see gender roles as the Bangladesh men do not want their wives to work, and Nadira’s uncle shows his disapproval of his wife working at a 99-cent store. The parents do not like the clothes the younger generation chooses to wear, but at the same time Nadira’s mom thinks it will help them fit in. This story celebrates diversity as this is a story of Bangladesh Americans trying to make America their home. This story meets the criteria for immigrant and refugee realistic fiction. The story invites reflection on the lives of refugees and has an appealing format as Nadira tells her story, and it unfolds to show her strength in their family's situation.   

REVIEW EXCERPTS 

ALA Notable Children’s Books, 2007 

Book Links, 01/01/07 

Booklist starred, 12/15/05 

Born Book Magazine, 10/01/06 

Horn Book Magazine starred, 03/01/06 

Library Media Connection starred, 08/01/06 

Publishers Weekly, 02/06/06 

School Library Journal, 04/01/06 

Wilson’s Junior High School, 08/01/07 

Wilson’s Senior High School, 10/01/07 

Wilson’s Senior High School, 10/01/11 

Booklist starred (December 15, 2005 (Vol. 102, No.8)): “The teen voice is wonderfully immediate, revealing Nadira’s mixed up feelings as well as the diversity in her family and in the Muslim community.”  

Horn Book Magazine (March/April, 2006): “Budhos alludes to the grueling horrors or detention but, appropriately for her audience, focuses on its indirect emotional impact on her teenage protagonist.” 

Kirkus Reviews (December 15, 2005): “Nadira’s need for acceptance by her family neatly parallels the family’s desire for acceptance in their adopted country. A perceptive peek into the lives of foreigners on the fringe.” 

CONNECTIONS 

Readers can research Bangladesh to become familiar with what they have read in the story. 

Readers can calculate the distance from Bangladesh to America and check flights from one country to the other to see the distance it is in travel miles and travel time.  

Readers can research the process of applying for residency through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services.  

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