Piece by Piece The Story of Nisrin's Hijab

"Piece by Piece" tells the powerful story of Nisrin, a 13-year-old Bangladeshi-American girl in 2002 Milwaukie, Oregon. After a traumatic hate crime where she is attacked for wearing a headscarf, Nisrin grapples with depression and isolation. Her journey takes a pivotal turn when she decides to wear the hijab, a choice that initially confuses and angers her family, revealing their complicated past with their religion and homeland. As she starts high school, Nisrin faces further prejudice from peers and faculty, but finds strength in new and old friendships. This graphic novel is a poignant exploration of cultural identity, resilience, and finding one's voice in the face of adversity, making it suitable for middle school and high school readers.

"Nisrin is a 13-year-old Bangladeshi-American girl living in Milwaukie, Oregon, in 2002. As she nears the end of eighth grade, she gives a presentation for World Culture Day about Bangladesh while wearing a traditional cultural dress. On her way home, she is the victim of a hate crime when a man violently attacks her for wearing a headscarf. Deeply traumatized by the experience, Nisrin spends the summer depressed and isolated. Other than weekly therapy, Nisrin doesn't leave the house until fall arrives and it's time for her to start freshman year at a new school. The night before class starts, Nisrin makes a decision. She tells her family she's going to start wearing hijab, much to their dismay. Her mother and grandparent's shocked and angry reactions confuse her--but they only strengthen her resolve. This choice puts Nisrin on a path to not only discover more about Islam, but also her family's complicated relationship with the religion, and the reasons they left Bangladesh in the first place. On top of everything else, she's struggling to fit in at school--her hijab makes her a target for students and faculty alike. But with the help from old friends and new, Nisrin is starting to figure out what really makes her happy"--Dust jacket.