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42 pages 1 hour read

Internment

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Samira Ahmed

Internment

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

386

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • Near Future

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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Super Short Summary

In Internment by Samira Ahmed, Layla Amin, a spirited teenager, grapples with life in a California internment camp where her Muslim American family is detained by a far-right government. Layla befriends a sympathetic guard and coordinates protests, striving to expose the camp's harsh conditions and reclaim her civil rights against a backdrop of increasing external support and rising tensions. The book addresses topics related to racial discrimination and violence.

Unnerving

Suspenseful

Emotional

Dark

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.2

20,268 ratings

68%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Samira Ahmed's Internment has garnered praise for its timely and thought-provoking themes, poignant writing, and powerful voice. Readers appreciate the stark warning against intolerance and its call to activism. However, some critics find certain characterizations and plot developments lacking in depth. Despite these critiques, it remains a compelling read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Internment?

Readers who enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood will find Internment by Samira Ahmed compelling. This novel appeals to those interested in dystopian narratives, social justice themes, and coming-of-age stories. It’s perfect for fans of intense, thought-provoking YA fiction.

4.2

20,268 ratings

68%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Character List

Layla Amin

A young Muslim American and high school senior who demonstrates maturity, confidence, and a strong sense of justice, taking a leadership role in resisting oppressive government policies.

A Jewish American who stands by Layla, deeply committed to the cause of fighting against the oppression faced by the Muslim community despite not being targeted himself.

A National Guard member who aids Layla's resistance efforts from within the camp and navigates a moral conflict between duty and doing what he believes is right.

Layla’s father, a terminated college professor who provides the intellectual inspiration for the resistance through his poetry, despite initially being more cautious than his daughter.

Book Details
Pages

386

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

United States • Near Future

Publication Year

2019

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

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