A writing mentor recently explained that 98% of all MG book conflicts could be resolved in one page if the main character would just talk to their parents to clear up a misunderstanding.
The key -- the secret -- to engaging your reader over the course of a 275-page book is to provide plausible reasons for why that convo doesn't occur.
Barakah Beats does it stunningly well.
Nimra Sharif is not afraid, exactly, but certainly reluctant to discuss with her Muslim parents her decision to join a Muslim "boy band" at school.
She's got good reason to not bring up the topic with them. While they don't outright judge others who make music, they leave weddings and other celebrations of non-Muslim friends whenever the band starts playing and party-goers begin dancing.
So she keeps her decision to join the band at school, after the boys hear her reciting the Koran in her beautiful voice during prayers and are convinced she'll be perfect as their lead singer, a secret.
It doesn't help that her former non-Muslim best friend's interest is rekindled and kept afloat by Nimra's participation in the band. The girl thinks the boys are "dreamy" cute.
Nimra plans to quit before the performance, before she'd have to tell her parents what she's doing. Of course, nothing works out the way the middle schooler plans. Nothing ever does.
I won't spoil what happens, because I can almost guarantee it's not what you anticipate. And I loved that twist at the end. Enjoy!
