Sophia’s Journal: Time Warp 1857 – one of the most recent titles to appear on the Islamic Fiction market – tells the intriguing story of a Muslim teen who inexplicably finds herself transported back in time to Bleeding Kansas.
History Comes to Life
Writer Najiyah Diana Helwani takes full advantage of this tumultuous period in American history to weave drama and moral dilemmas into her story line. The conflicts between Native American Indians and settlers, and slave owners and abolitionists, are gradually brought forth through realistic characters and a convincing portrayal of life back in 1857.
The conflicts are not only historical. Sophia personally agonizes over how to deal with her strange circumstances and is uncomfortable depending on strangers. She decides not to reveal her background to her new friends – who would believe that she actually comes from the future?! – and quickly adapts to life without the modern conveniences of running water, electricity, telephones and the Internet.
A Girl Comes of Age
Sophia is amazed by the discovery that it is common for girls her age to marry, and is not aware of her own maturity until a local boy follows courting customs and proposes to Sophia. He, like the other characters in the story, is unaware that Sophia cannot marry outside of her religion, and Sophia struggles with staying true to her faith while contemplating the fact that she is unlikely to encounter a potential Muslim spouse in 19th century Kansas.
Despite this particular challenge – and despite the fact that Islam is unknown to those around her – Sophia manages to keep her Islamic identity and observe her daily prayers. Various opportunities arise when Sophia can share her beliefs with those around her, and she is understandably thrilled to learn that a neighbor’s slave is also a Muslim.
A Novel for Teens of All Faiths
Although the book is written with a Muslim audience in mind, teens of all faiths are likely to enjoy the story and gain insight into the pre-Civil War period in American history. Islamic references tie neatly into the story line, and are neither preachy nor difficult for the lay reader to understand.
Surprising twists to the plot, a satisfying ending and a positive portrayal of Islam and Muslims all give this book a thumbs-up for book shelves in Muslim homes, schools and libraries.
Glossaries Included
The author thoughtfully added a glossary of Islamic and Arabic terms used in the book; a glossary of 1850s vocabulary; and a few Early American recipes.
About the Author
Najiyah Diana Helwani is a Kansas native whose love of both Islam and American history is evident in her beautifully crafted tale. She currently resides in Damascus, Syria with her husband and six children. She occasionally travels to the States, where she conducts workshops on Islam and the history of US relations with the Middle East.
Book Stats
Sophia’s Journal: Time Warp 1857 by Najiyah Diana Helwani. Paperback, 208 pages. Muslim Writers Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-0-9793577-2-5.
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