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The Weight of Our Sky Hanna Alkaf Books

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The Weight of Our Sky Hanna Alkaf Books

This is a fascinating book, both from the main character's OCD, which she attributes to having a Djinn inside her, and a look at a week of horrible violence in 1969 Malaysia. Melita is 16 years old and just wants to have a good time at the movies with her best friend, Saf. Instead, she is caught up in horrific violence.

She spends much of the book trying to be reunited with her mother, a nurse, and expending much energy trying to hide her disorder. She, a Muslim, accepts that Djinns exist, as it's part of her religious beliefs. That is much easier for her to accept than that it is a mental illness - for in 1969 in Malaysia, she would not have received good mental health care and medication that would help her to deal with her condition. She would have been labeled crazy and shunned or institutionalized. So she tries to keep her inner demon at bay with endless counting, always in multiples of 3. She is taken in by a kindly Chinese Christian woman and kept safe for much of the book, but she must leave the nest to find her mother. It's just been the two of them since her father, a police officer, was killed on the job. That was when her OCD came.

This is a thoughtful read in the current political climate as well, where anyone "other" is suspect. To us European Americans, the difference between people of Chinese heritage and Malaysian heritage isn't necessarily obvious. Cultural and religious differences, sure, but being able to identify someone from their appearance is more difficult unless you're looking at a woman in a hijab and a woman wearing a cross (or other religious symbol). The violence between the two cultures seems as sensible as building a big old wall to keep out people who are essentially just like us and who only want a better life for their children.


Tags : Amazon.com: The Weight of Our Sky (9781534426085): Hanna Alkaf: Books,Hanna Alkaf,The Weight of Our Sky,Salaam Reads Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,1534426086,Chinese - Malaysia,Chinese - Malaysia Chinese - Malaysia,Ethnic relations,Ethnic relations Ethnic relations,Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - History - 20th century,Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - History - 20th century Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) - History - 20th century,Malays (Asian people),Malays (Asian people) Malays (Asian people),Malaysia - History - 20th century,Malaysia - History - 20th century Malaysia - History - 20th century,Mental illness,Mental illness;Fiction.,Mentally ill Mentally ill,Mentally ill teenagers Mentally ill teenagers,Obsessive-compulsive disorder,Obsessive-compulsive disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder,Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescence Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adolescence,Obsessive-compulsive disorder;Fiction.,Race relations,Race relations Race relations,Riots,Riots Riots,Riots;Fiction.,Asian,General fiction (Children's Teenage),Historical fiction (Children's Teenage),JUVENILE,Juvenile Fiction,Juvenile Grades 7-9 Ages 12-14,Personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism (Children's Teenage),Salaam Reads; Diverse books; Diversity: We Need Diverse Books; debut; race riots; racism; OCD; djinn; obsessive compulsive disorder; neurodiversity; mental illness; Chinese-Malay race riots; historical fiction YA; 1969; 13 May Incident; National Stadium; Kuala Lumpur; mother daughter stories; prejudice,South & Southeast Asia,TEEN'S FICTION - GENERAL,United States,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Family General (see also headings under Social Themes),YOUNG ADULT FICTION People & Places Asia,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Mental Illness,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Prejudice & Racism,Young Adult FictionFamily - General (see also headings under Social Themes),Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Prejudice & Racism,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Family General (see also headings under Social Themes),YOUNG ADULT FICTION People & Places Asia,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Mental Illness,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Social Themes Prejudice & Racism,Young Adult FictionFamily - General (see also headings under Social Themes),Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Prejudice & Racism,General fiction (Children's Teenage),Historical fiction (Children's Teenage),Personal & social issues: racism & multiculturalism (Children's Teenage)

The Weight of Our Sky Hanna Alkaf Books Reviews

I was always intrigued by the events of 13 May. Anyone who has learned history in high school are very well aware of what happened then. A part of me has always wondered how one would go through when it all happened and this book has helped me try to imagine what it was like. Not only that, this book is so important and it has struck so much for me as a Malaysian that so far, nothing could be compared to how special this book will be etched in my heart. It is so rare to read an English YA book with so much of our lives' representation that it really felt like I was there with Melati.

This book has it all—pain, heartbreak, guilt, violence between two races, sympathy, kindness and so much more. It's also very important when Melati did that speech at the spur of the moment that we shouldn't be divided because we are united as one nation. We are all the same and we are proud to be Malaysians.

I didn't think I could be more excited when I find Malay words in the book. My heart always skipped a beat harder when I stumble upon familiar names that are actually living around me, they are people I know in real life, familiar places that I've been going to and hearing about all my life and also the unfamiliarity of what it was like living in the 60's. It is all just painstakingly beautiful and I would no doubt read this book again.

People like Auntie Bee and Vince are so kind and important to keep around that Melati really is lucky to have met them. They don't care about races and aren't prejudiced towards the others whether someone is Malay, Chinese or Indian. Everyone is the same and should be treated just the same way.

I don't think that I can say much about the OCD, anxiety and mental illness that Melati experienced throughout the story since my knowledge of that are still little but it's enough to encourage me to find out more and to create awareness of how important it really is. I can see why they might thought it was the Djinn that are haunting her because here it is a normal thing to hear about.

I finally understand the reason behind the title of this book and it makes it even more special. I won't say much about it but It really does make everything about it even more sense and just so special.

I have been so hyped about this book and it has been one of my most anticipated reads ever since I heard about it and the book totally has not disappointed me. I was expecting so much from the author and she has successfully delivered it with succession. I would totally recommend everyone to read this book to understand our country a bit better, our cultures and especially to my fellow Malaysians who read this book and feel like home.
This story is powerful. The main character is relatable. I would recommend this book at any in their midteens through adult.
What a compelling, page-turning historical! This book contains all my favorite things I look for in a YA historical gut-wrenching tragedy, a window into a different place and time (especially here, with one I haven't seen before in YA), and compelling characters I want to stay with. Not only does this book provide a glimpse into a terrifying time in Maylasia's history, but it will also resonate with teens today who want to bring people together in spite of differences. A must-read!
I came here to review this book as soon as I finished because it's exceptional and the world deserves to know it.

As the author mentions in the content warning note, the subject matter is heavy, but the book still finds ways to show the beauty of humanity alongside the extreme ugliness of violence and hatred and gives glimmers of hope and joy and love amongst the wreckage and despair

This story is beautifully written. The writing is captivating, the characters are vividly real (and so many of them endearing), and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat, even in the "quieter" moments.

As an American who sadly does not possess much knowledge of Malaysia, I was previously unaware of the race riots that this book takes place during. Though this story is fiction, it brings to light an important piece of history that shouldn't be forgotten (and in many ways feels all too applicable to things happening around the world today).

I loved this book. It made me tear up with grief, relief, and joy. It's beautifully done. If you are in the right place mentally and emotionally, don't wait another second. Read this book. I truly believe everyone can benefit from it.
This is a fascinating book, both from the main character's OCD, which she attributes to having a Djinn inside her, and a look at a week of horrible violence in 1969 Malaysia. Melita is 16 years old and just wants to have a good time at the movies with her best friend, Saf. Instead, she is caught up in horrific violence.

She spends much of the book trying to be reunited with her mother, a nurse, and expending much energy trying to hide her disorder. She, a Muslim, accepts that Djinns exist, as it's part of her religious beliefs. That is much easier for her to accept than that it is a mental illness - for in 1969 in Malaysia, she would not have received good mental health care and medication that would help her to deal with her condition. She would have been labeled crazy and shunned or institutionalized. So she tries to keep her inner demon at bay with endless counting, always in multiples of 3. She is taken in by a kindly Chinese Christian woman and kept safe for much of the book, but she must leave the nest to find her mother. It's just been the two of them since her father, a police officer, was killed on the job. That was when her OCD came.

This is a thoughtful read in the current political climate as well, where anyone "other" is suspect. To us European Americans, the difference between people of Chinese heritage and Malaysian heritage isn't necessarily obvious. Cultural and religious differences, sure, but being able to identify someone from their appearance is more difficult unless you're looking at a woman in a hijab and a woman wearing a cross (or other religious symbol). The violence between the two cultures seems as sensible as building a big old wall to keep out people who are essentially just like us and who only want a better life for their children.