Abstract:

Nancy, a 15 year-old Protestant teen from the suburbs of Boston, spends two days and "walks in the shoes" of Mariam, a 13-year-old Muslim teen from northern New Jersey. Nancy is nervous about terrorism in America and apprehensive about Muslims since her friends lost family members on September 11, 2001. As Nancy explores Mariam's life, she gets the opportunity to attend Mariam's Muslim school, pray at her mosque, wear a hijab (the traditional Muslim head cover), and celebrate Ramadan, the holiest Islamic holiday, with Mariam's family. Mariam teaches Nancy why Muslims fast for Ramadan and that Islam is a religion that preaches peace, love, and kindness to others, not violence or anger. Nancy's and Mariam's experiences during their time together demonstrates that by learning about one another, we are able to see how much we have in common while also appreciating what makes each of us unique.