Mark My Words is a slow burn novel that gradually picks up pace. An interesting and diverse cast of characters make it an easy novel to connect with despite how slowly the plot unfolds.

Slightly different to what I normally read but I found this really fun. Slightly slower paced that I hoped but in hindsight I think that made me like the book more as I was not pushing through. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy.

I've read Muhammed Khan's previous novels - this one had a lot to live up to and didn't disappoint. As an adult reader I felt the premise was unlikely (one financially and academically secure school hosting the year 11 students of a very different school during building works) however this is unlikely to concern the target audience. This situation allowed the main characters from different walks of life to mix . The things the characters see and experience would prompt lots of discussion if this was used as either a classroom text or book club read, or would provide plenty to think about for the stand-alone reader.. I liked that the main character was flawed, and her attempts to do the right thing did not always work and at times left her isolated from her peers. I have bought several copies for my school library and it is proving very popular with students in year 9 and above. I would recommend this book, thanks to Netgalley for my ARC.

An emotive, heartwarming and inspiring book about a young Muslim girl trying to achieve her dreams of being a journalist, whilst dealing with her family and friends' struggles. It started off a bit slow-paced but picked up halfway through and I couldn't put it down. Would have rated it more, but I think it was aimed more at younger readers.

Muhammed Khan writes such great voices! I’ve talked about his previous two YA novels on the blog before, Ilyas from KICK THE MOON is still one of my favourite fictional teens and I loved the nod to him in MARK MY WORDS, Khan’s newly published high-school based thriller. Khan’s characters make mistakes and sometimes do the wrong thing, Dua is no exception, but they all care deeply about their friends and family and community and always want to make things better. In that, I think they’re very real teenagers, and even if the reader can’t see themselves in the main protagonist they will recognise the well developed side characters and empathise. I’d love to hear the reactions of students from both state and private schools!

I was given the opportunity to ask a few questions as part of the blog tour (see banner below for the rest of the tour):

As a teacher, have you worked in a Minerva or Bodley?

Yes! Covid made me realise I couldn’t afford to be a full-time author and I was really missing the classroom environment. Before I got my current post, I dipped my toe in supply teaching. I got a different school every day and the contrast really jumped out at me. I thought it would be a fascinating dichotomy for a YA novel. Thus, Minerva and Bodley were born!

Dua often thinks about her faith, never doubting it, did you talk to young hijabi women to help with the voice?

I grew up around hijabi women, and a number of my students wear the hijab too, so I was passionate about getting the representation right. I had lots of interesting conversations. Macmillan also got a number of sensitivity readers to make sure the characterisation felt believable.

So many things that can affect young people are broached in the book, what was most important for you to get across?

The story always comes first in my books. Teenagers hate to be preached at. Having said that I hope young people will feel inspired by Dua and her friends to speak out whenever they see wrong and not give up if they are not heard but to have the strength to keep going. We shouldn’t underestimate peer pressure or drugs culture.

Are any of your characters based on students or colleagues?

Definitely! I’m always amazed and inspired by my students and their passions. Dua is based on a few girls I’ve taught who had a level of bravery I could only have dreamed of as a teen. Hugo is based on a student I met at a very posh school.

Sadly, Dua’s mum’s story is also based in reality. In my years of teaching, I’ve heard a number of harrowing stories from colleagues facing discrimination. The power imbalance is something people are finally starting to speak up about without serious recriminations. But there’s lots more to do!

Have you thought about including covid restrictions in a future novel?

I’ve thought about it but I’m kind of hoping, like everyone else, that the restrictions will be over soon!

What are you reading at the moment and who would you recommend it to?

My students have got me into manga in a big way. I’m currently reading Kimetsu No Yaiba (Demon Slayer) by Koyoharu Gotouge. Such a great read with wonderful characters and brilliant world building. I recommend it to every lover of fantasy and horror

Mark My Words is a pacy, entertaining and thought-provoking read.

This is very much a character-focused book, as you get to know and love Dua. I loved her passion and dedication to exposing the truth, though she is also fairly stubborn and insular. Her voice was so sparky and true to teenagers, with plenty of humour and heart to it. This is very much a story of her growth and coming into herself and her voice. She is nowhere near perfect and makes substantial mistakes, but these are challenged and addressed within the story. The friendship group and paper team around her are also really fun to read about, with all of them getting development and a sense of insight into their own struggles. In particular, I loved the intersectional approach Kahn took, ensuring that many different aspects of prejudice are challenged.

I loved how much this book explores the power of journalism and activism. It is only by speaking up that change can be enacted. However, Dua is up against a deeply ingrained system of classism and racism that seeks to diminish her voice. By going against the status quo, she risks a lot and does not always consider how her actions will impact those around her. This leads to a nuanced discussion around authenticity, corruption and obsession. The way this is threaded into the wider arc of social justice and pointing out the flaws in the system is really interesting. Khan really leans into the personal cost and toll this vital work can take, especially on young people. You can really feel the anger at this broken, failing system radiating through the pages, but you also get a sense of hope and inspiration in this incredible work being enacted.

Mark My Words is a punchy, puissant and impactful read that I hope gets the attention it deserves.

'Mark My Words' by Muhammad Khan is a pacey read about forthright teenager Dua, the writing effectively shining a light on social inequality. At the beginning, two local schools in Enley, a privileged grammar school MInerva and the more racially diverse Bodley, located in the more run down end of town, are merged together. The result is a portrayal of a microcosm of society with tension between the haves and have nots, and prejudice lacing every interaction.

Dua is an aspiring journalist and, when she is rejected from the elite Minerva paper, decides to found her own publication to give a voice to the voiceless teenagers of Bodley school. With a bit of journalistic investigation, she begins to uncover a drug conspiracy in the town, corruption rotting at its core. Despite being quite a predictable trajectory in the story, the plotline was certainly gripping. Even when Dua made questionable decisions, it was difficult not to root for her success - she is a talented journalist, confident and an advocate for justice and it is great to see her grow as a result of her experiences.

Overall, this will be a great read for teenagers and adults alike. A gritty but satisfying story of prejudice, addiction, corruption and justice. 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dua is a bright student in her final year before GCSEs. Because of building work in their school, Year 11 have been moved to a neighbouring school. But affluent, prestigious Minerva College on the West side of town is very different from the East side comprehensive of Bodley High.
On the first day of term an announcement is made about two vacancies on the Minerva Chronicle which Dua is desperate to apply for as she has ambitions to become a journalist. However, the equally ambitious but privileged team on the Chronicle make their decisions based on friendships, not talent. Undeterred she determines to start her own and gains permission and recruits a great team.
The closer relationship with the Minerva community opens the eyes of the Bodley High students to the difference in their lives. Every town has individuals taking drugs, but Minerva students are purchasing more and harder drugs, yet Bodley High students are blamed. Dua is determined to get to the bottom of it and expose the ringleaders. She hadn’t realised it would become quite as dangerous as it does, or the influence of those involved over students, the school and even the spending within the local community. But Dua wants truth and hypocrisy revealed.
Her home life becomes as complicated as the drugs situation as her Mum is having a breakdown, because of problems at work, her Dad who lives apart, is threatened at his shop, her best friend defects to the Minerva side for reasons Dua hadn’t thought through, and her attraction to Hugo, an alpha male at Minerva, is against everything Dua stands for, having previously been a very good Muslim girl where boyfriends are forbidden.
Is it easier to leave alone and get on with mock exams and accept the inequalities in life, or stand up and fight? Some brave characters make this a compelling read.